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MILFORD, Pennsylvania. - June 5, 2019 - Ducks Unlimited, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) celebrated a successful conservation project in Pike County on Monday, June 3.

Supporters dedicated the Shohola Marsh project at Shohola Lake, on Pennsylvania State Game Lands 180. Shohola Lake and the surrounding wetlands are managed to support waterfowl and provide an important breeding area for American black ducks, Canada geese, hooded mergansers, mallards, wood ducks and others. By managing water levels inside impoundment areas, PGC managers create ideal conditions to support vegetation used as food by ducks and geese. A propagation area, Shohola Lake is closed to recreational activity to provide undisturbed areas for ducks and geese.

Damage to levees caused by beavers and years of weathering led to a breach. Dilapidated infrastructure meant Shohola managers could not control water levels. In 2017, a partnership between the PGC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited resulted in new levees and water-control infrastructure. The project enhanced 19 wetland acres for waterfowl.

Supporters on June 3 toured the project and unveiled a project sign.

"Migrating waterfowl and other birds have critical new habitat thanks to the robust partnership between the Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited," said Jim Feaga, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist in Pennsylvania. "A healthy Shohola Lake means healthier populations of ducks for years to come."

The project was funded using dollars from the Pittman-Robertson Act, the Sordoni Family Foundation and other Ducks Unlimited funds provided through major donors and events.

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
(734) 623-2017
csebastian@ducks.org
@GLARducks