WASHINGTON April 17 Eduardo Carrera was honored yesterday with the North American Waterfowl Management Plans International Canvasback Award. Carrera has been the National Executive Director and CEO of Ducks Unlimited de Mxico since 1998.

With his breadth of experience across Mexico and throughout the Western Hemisphereand beyondEduardo is a longtime friend to birds and their habitat, said Jerome Ford, Assistant Director of the Migratory Bird Program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He has left his mark on conservation for over two decades, and because he recognizes the importance of training and mentoring, he is also having an impact on our future conservation stewards.

Carrera collaborates with national and international organizations to develop wetland projects and build capacity in Mexico. He spearheads international partnerships to support waterfowl management and research.

As Chairman of the National Advisory Subcommittee for the Conservation, Management and Rational Use of Waterfowl and their Habitats, Carrera advises the Mexican government on waterfowl management issues, including hunting seasons and harvest quotas. He is a member of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee, National Wetland Committee, National Commission of Protected Areas and multiple state wildlife councils.

He drove the development of Mexicos national waterfowl and shorebird management plans, initiated the Wetland Inventory and Classification Program and promoted development of a digital Change Detection Analysis to determine wetland and mangrove loss. His efforts have brought international attention to the mangrove swamps and have been critical in increasing conservation efforts.

Carrera also ensured federal protection for two priority waterfowl wintering areas: Laguna Madre and Pantanos del Centla. He was instrumental in having the Bahia Lobos and the Lago de Texcoco recognized as RAMSAR Wetlands of International Importance. He also helped establish the Santa Mara Bay, Pabellones Bay and Huizache Caimanero as sites of hemispheric and international importance for shorebirds.

Recognizing the importance of conservation training and education, Carrera initiated Ducks Unlimited de Mxicos Latin American Reserve Manager Training Program, which has provided advanced natural resource training to 575 professionals from Mexico, 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries and one African nation. He has implemented environmental education programs in schools, reaching thousands of schoolchildren, as well as a wetland habitat training program for Mexican professionals.

(Photo caption: USFWS Assistant Director of the Migratory Bird Program Jerome Ford, USFWS Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan, Ducks Unlimited de Mxico CEO and Executive Director Eduardo Carrera, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Ducks Unlimited Inc. President and Ducks Unlimited de Mxico Board Member Rogers Hoyt Jr., Ducks Unlimited Inc. Board Member and Ducks Unlimited de Mxico Chairman of the Board John Tomke.)

Established in 1974, Ducks Unlimited de Mxico (DUMAC) has restored and enhanced more than 1.9 million acres important to wintering waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. DUMAC has classified 27 million acres of wetlands and uplands as part of the Wetlands Inventory Program. These activities and the information generated help guide DUMACs efforts to support DUs shared conservation vision and mission.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

Media Contact:
Eric Keszler
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