DENVER, Colorado - March 8, 2019 - Ducks Unlimited announced the winners of the 2019 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards during the 84th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference.

This year's recipient in the Federal Agency Employee category is Sarah Mott, recently retired chief of the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Every year dedicated conservation professionals are nominated for these awards. Nominees and those select for recognition represent how people with a shared passion can achieve great things for wetlands and waterfowl conservation," said Nick Wiley, Ducks Unlimited chief conservation officer. "Ducks Unlimited is pleased to recognize these efforts that serve as an inspiration for others to follow. Conservation requires teamwork and only by working together can we achieve effective and lasting success."

Mott enjoyed an exemplary career with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. She administerd funding from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which provides more than $35 million annually in federal matching funds for wetland conservation. Her division also administered funds under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Program, the Joint Ventures and the Duck Stamp program - about $60 million annually for habitat work in North America.

Mott worked with many partners including Ducks Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Ducks Unlimited Mexico, to leverage federal grant funds for wetlands conservation throughout North America.

Karla Guyn, Ducks Unlimited Canada Chief Executive Officer, co-nominated Mott for the award.

"In recent times no one has had a greater impact on managing continental wetland conservation funding than Sarah Mott," Guyn said. "Her integrity, clear sense of purpose, respect for partners and can-do attitude have been vital to all that has been accomplished by the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation."

Ducks Unlimited's Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards are presented annually in six categories to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and restoration of North America's wetlands and waterfowl.

To view a complete list of the 2019 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award winners, visit www.ducks.org/wetlandawards.

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:
Chris Sebastian
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