Washington has many dramatic wetland landscapes. Those more important for waterfowl are on Puget Sound, along the Pacific Coast, the lower reaches of the Columbia River and in the channeled scablands. These areas are predominately used by migrating and wintering waterfowl, often in great numbers, but are also important for breeding ducks and geese as well.
As with much of the Pacific Northwest, Washington's wetlands are used by a wide array of fish and wildlife. Ducks Unlimited's cuttingedge research has shown that ducks and fish, especially salmonids, reproducing in Washington's marshes require similar habitat. Ducks Unlimited biologists have also shown that Great Basin-like wetland habitats in eastern Washington, notably the channeled scablands are very similar to those in the Prairie Pothole Region. Further, nesting waterfowl in this region respond to our projects just like those in the prairies.
Ducks Unlimited's conservation projects in Washington are tailored to fit the region they are in. Projects in western Washington are designed to provide wintering and migration habitat to waterfowl and facilitate fish passage and use. Eastern Washington projects improve degraded wetlands to provide optimal waterfowl production habitats.
View the state conservation report in Washington.