initiatives

DU's Regional Fundraising Initiatives Connecting waterfowl and conservationists across North America. By James Powell, Rich Smith, David Schuessler, and Ken Babcock.

Johnny Belz: Beloved Member of the DU Family Leaves His Mark Johnny Belz was a dedicated DU volunteer, staff member, and Major Sponsor for more than 40 years, sharing his passion for conservation and the outdoors with thousands before his passing in 2013. Johnny's story was featured in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Betty & John O'Brien: Laying Down Roots in the North Atlantic Betty and John O'Brien of Batavia, New York, support Ducks Unlimited's Completing the Cycle Initiative in the northeastern United States. John helped build up DU's presence in New York and he and Betty held several volunteer positions over the years. Their story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Tom Dunkin II: Future of Northwest Waterfowling Inspires Giving Tom Dunkin II of Redmond, Washington, is a Heritage Sponsor supporting DU's Wings and Wetlands Initiative. This initiative is dedicated to conserving important waterfowl habitats in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as preserving the outdoor traditions of the Pacific Northwest. Tom's story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Patty & Jim Donelan: DU Provides Home, Heritage, and Habitat for Major Sponsors Patty and Jim Donelan of Fremont, Nebraska, are Legacy Sponsors of DU's Heartland Heritage and Habitat Initiative, dedicated to conserving the best habitat for waterfowl in the Southern Great Plains. The Donelans' story appeared in the 2013 Ducks Unlimited Annual Report.

Paula & Gary Pennington: A Big-picture Outlook in the Great Lakes Paula and Gary Pennington of Clinton, Ohio, recently pledged to become Diamond Sponsors in Perpetuity of DU's Great Lakes Initiative. This initiative supports Great Lakes habitats in Ohio and in key breeding areas for waterfowl that spend part of their lives in the Great Lakes region. The Penningtons' story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Al Montna: Plentiful Ducks for Rice and People Al Montna of Yuba City, California, and his wife, Gail, are members of DU's President's Council and Benefactor Sponsors supporting DU's California Wetlands Initiative. This initiative aims to conserve the best waterfowl habitat in California, particularly in the critical wintering areas of the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. Al's story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

The Moore-Odom Wildlife Foundation: A Partnership to Protect the Coast The Moore-Odom Wildlife Foundation is a strong Ducks Unlimited partner on the Gulf Coast. Moore-Odom is working with DU through the Gulf Coast Initiative to conserve the best wintering habitats for ducks and geese on the Gulf. Their story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Shelley & Craig Larson: A Lifelong, Science-driven Passion for the Prairies Gold Benefactor Sponsors Shelley and Craig Larson of Bismarck, North Dakota, support DU's Preserve Our Prairies Initiative. This initiative is dedicated to conserving the wetlands and grasslands of the Prairie Pothole Region, North America's most critical breeding grounds for waterfowl. The Larsons' story appeared in the 2013 Ducks Unlimited Annual Report.

Allison & Doug Frey: Making Connections between the Boreal and the Heartland Allison and Doug Frey of Midland, Texas, proudly support DU's Boreal Forest Initiative, dedicating to conserving the critical breeding habitats of North America's Boreal Forest for thousands of ducks and geese. Doug is originally from the Rainwater Basin area of Nebraska and clearly sees the connections among protected breeding grounds, healthy migration habitat and the birds he sees in Texas each year. The Freys' story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Living Lakes Initiative Conserving Minnesota and Iowa's wetlands and shallow lakes as vital stepping stones for waterfowl migrating between southern wintering and northern breeding grounds each year.

Preserve Our Prairies Initiative Conserving North America's highest-priority waterfowl nesting habitat—and the glory of bountiful fall flights—in the face of mounting threats.

Wings and Wetlands Initiative In Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, significant wetland habitats have been lost. As human populations soar, the demand for water increases, putting even more pressure on remaining wetlands.

Gulf Coast Initiative Saving the most critical wintering waterfowl habitat in North America by conserving coastal prairies and marshes along the rapidly disappearing Gulf Coast.

Southern Prairies and Playas Initiative Protecting, restoring, and enhancing the grasslands and wetlands of the Southern Great Plains to support migrating waterfowl populations in the Central Flyway.

Southeast Wetlands Initiative Supporting the rich outdoor heritage of the southeastern United States by conserving key habitats for Atlantic and eastern Mississippi Flyway waterfowl.

Heartland Heritage and Habitat Initiative Providing innovative water solutions for ducks and people in the Southern Great Plains, one of America's most important waterfowl migration areas.

Ducks in the Desert Initiative Restoring the valuable wetland oases of America's desert landscape for waterfowl, other wildlife, and communities across the West, from the Great Salt Lake to the Lower Colorado River.

Great Lakes Initiative Protecting the pristine waters of the Great Lakes and conserving critical habitat for many species of waterfowl that utilize this vast watershed throughout their life cycle.

California Wetlands Initiative Restoring Golden State wetlands to healthy wintering habitats and helping provide water solutions for waterfowl, other wildlife, and Californians.

Big Rivers Initiative Restoring feeding and resting areas along the river that make up the Mississippi River floodplain and the conserving habitat critical to the grand passage of migratory waterfowl.

America's River Initiative Rebuilding the glory of the Mississippi River floodplain by conserving key wintering habitat for millions of waterfowl and reinforcing the region’s rich waterfowling legacy.

The Alaska Initiative - Born to Fly Protecting one of the world's most pristine landscapes for breeding and brood-rearing waterfowl—the vast wetlands and river deltas of the Alaskan wilderness.

Conservation Initiatives The regional initiatives below, organized geographically, function to connect people and resources with critical habitats, and recognize each region's role in sustaining the future of waterfowl and in achieving DU's vital mission.

DU's Regional Fundraising Initiatives

Connecting waterfowl and conservationists across North America. By James Powell, Rich Smith, David Schuessler, and Ken Babcock.

Johnny Belz: Beloved Member of the DU Family Leaves His Mark

Johnny Belz was a dedicated DU volunteer, staff member, and Major Sponsor for more than 40 years, sharing his passion for conservation and the outdoors with thousands before his passing in 2013. Johnny's story was featured in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Betty & John O'Brien: Laying Down Roots in the North Atlantic

Betty and John O'Brien of Batavia, New York, support Ducks Unlimited's Completing the Cycle Initiative in the northeastern United States. John helped build up DU's presence in New York and he and Betty held several volunteer positions over the years. Their story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Tom Dunkin II: Future of Northwest Waterfowling Inspires Giving

Tom Dunkin II of Redmond, Washington, is a Heritage Sponsor supporting DU's Wings and Wetlands Initiative. This initiative is dedicated to conserving important waterfowl habitats in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as preserving the outdoor traditions of the Pacific Northwest. Tom's story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Patty & Jim Donelan: DU Provides Home, Heritage, and Habitat for Major Sponsors

Patty and Jim Donelan of Fremont, Nebraska, are Legacy Sponsors of DU's Heartland Heritage and Habitat Initiative, dedicated to conserving the best habitat for waterfowl in the Southern Great Plains. The Donelans' story appeared in the 2013 Ducks Unlimited Annual Report.

Paula & Gary Pennington: A Big-picture Outlook in the Great Lakes

Paula and Gary Pennington of Clinton, Ohio, recently pledged to become Diamond Sponsors in Perpetuity of DU's Great Lakes Initiative. This initiative supports Great Lakes habitats in Ohio and in key breeding areas for waterfowl that spend part of their lives in the Great Lakes region. The Penningtons' story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Al Montna: Plentiful Ducks for Rice and People

Al Montna of Yuba City, California, and his wife, Gail, are members of DU's President's Council and Benefactor Sponsors supporting DU's California Wetlands Initiative. This initiative aims to conserve the best waterfowl habitat in California, particularly in the critical wintering areas of the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. Al's story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

The Moore-Odom Wildlife Foundation: A Partnership to Protect the Coast

The Moore-Odom Wildlife Foundation is a strong Ducks Unlimited partner on the Gulf Coast. Moore-Odom is working with DU through the Gulf Coast Initiative to conserve the best wintering habitats for ducks and geese on the Gulf. Their story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Shelley & Craig Larson: A Lifelong, Science-driven Passion for the Prairies

Gold Benefactor Sponsors Shelley and Craig Larson of Bismarck, North Dakota, support DU's Preserve Our Prairies Initiative. This initiative is dedicated to conserving the wetlands and grasslands of the Prairie Pothole Region, North America's most critical breeding grounds for waterfowl. The Larsons' story appeared in the 2013 Ducks Unlimited Annual Report.

Allison & Doug Frey: Making Connections between the Boreal and the Heartland

Allison and Doug Frey of Midland, Texas, proudly support DU's Boreal Forest Initiative, dedicating to conserving the critical breeding habitats of North America's Boreal Forest for thousands of ducks and geese. Doug is originally from the Rainwater Basin area of Nebraska and clearly sees the connections among protected breeding grounds, healthy migration habitat and the birds he sees in Texas each year. The Freys' story appeared in the 2013 DU Annual Report.

Living Lakes Initiative

Conserving Minnesota and Iowa's wetlands and shallow lakes as vital stepping stones for waterfowl migrating between southern wintering and northern breeding grounds each year.

Preserve Our Prairies Initiative

Conserving North America's highest-priority waterfowl nesting habitat—and the glory of bountiful fall flights—in the face of mounting threats.

Wings and Wetlands Initiative

In Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, significant wetland habitats have been lost. As human populations soar, the demand for water increases, putting even more pressure on remaining wetlands.

Gulf Coast Initiative

Saving the most critical wintering waterfowl habitat in North America by conserving coastal prairies and marshes along the rapidly disappearing Gulf Coast.

Southern Prairies and Playas Initiative

Protecting, restoring, and enhancing the grasslands and wetlands of the Southern Great Plains to support migrating waterfowl populations in the Central Flyway.

Southeast Wetlands Initiative

Supporting the rich outdoor heritage of the southeastern United States by conserving key habitats for Atlantic and eastern Mississippi Flyway waterfowl.

Heartland Heritage and Habitat Initiative

Providing innovative water solutions for ducks and people in the Southern Great Plains, one of America's most important waterfowl migration areas.

Ducks in the Desert Initiative

Restoring the valuable wetland oases of America's desert landscape for waterfowl, other wildlife, and communities across the West, from the Great Salt Lake to the Lower Colorado River.

Great Lakes Initiative

Protecting the pristine waters of the Great Lakes and conserving critical habitat for many species of waterfowl that utilize this vast watershed throughout their life cycle.

California Wetlands Initiative

Restoring Golden State wetlands to healthy wintering habitats and helping provide water solutions for waterfowl, other wildlife, and Californians.

Big Rivers Initiative

Restoring feeding and resting areas along the river that make up the Mississippi River floodplain and the conserving habitat critical to the grand passage of migratory waterfowl.

America's River Initiative

Rebuilding the glory of the Mississippi River floodplain by conserving key wintering habitat for millions of waterfowl and reinforcing the region’s rich waterfowling legacy.

The Alaska Initiative - Born to Fly

Protecting one of the world's most pristine landscapes for breeding and brood-rearing waterfowl—the vast wetlands and river deltas of the Alaskan wilderness.

Conservation Initiatives

The regional initiatives below, organized geographically, function to connect people and resources with critical habitats, and recognize each region's role in sustaining the future of waterfowl and in achieving DU's vital mission.

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