Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 19 million acres of wetlands and other waterfowl habitats across North America
More than half of North America's wetlands have been lost or degraded - Ducks Unlimited and our partners are working to reverse that trend. Fueled by the passion of our volunteers and members, our collaborative approach to conservation restores critical waterfowl habitats, safeguards outdoor traditions for future generations, and makes our environment more sustainable and our communities more resilient.
Ducks Unlimited was established in 1937 with the singular mission of conserving wetlands and grasslands for North America’s waterfowl. Forty-three species of waterfowl call this continent home, requiring diverse and abundant wetlands for their populations to thrive. Ducks Unlimited and our partners have contributed to healthy waterfowl populations in all 50 states through millions of acres of habitat restoration, enhancement and protection.
Up to 43% of the federally threatened and endangered species rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for their survival. Up to 40% of the world’s species live and breed in wetlands.
Conservation for waterfowl benefits hunters, anglers, hikers, and all society by expanding recreational opportunities, promoting productive ecosystems, and protecting open spaces, while also cleaning our water and safeguarding our communities.
Conserving wetlands and associated habitats provides clean and abundant water, reduces flood risks, protects our coastlines, enriches biodiversity and stores carbon. These ecosystems support local communities while providing climate solutions for our planet.
Ducks Unlimited doesn’t just talk about improving landscapes – we roll up our sleeves to get it done. See what techniques we use to protect and enhance existing habitats while restoring those previously degraded.
Since 1937, we’ve relied on sound science to guide our conservation. Discover how our scientists and partners are at the forefront of waterfowl and wetlands research, and how land managers rely on our expertise.
Ducks Unlimited advocates for wetlands and waterfowl habitats in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals from coast to coast. See how our policy work promotes wetland protections and robust funding.
Achieving our vision of skies filled with waterfowl is expensive, and we can’t do it alone. Learn more about the vital role that Ducks Unlimited volunteers, partners and fundraising events play in funding our work.
Ducks Unlimited has projects in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. We focus our conservation efforts on the highest-priority breeding, migration and wintering habitat.
Acres of conservation in fiscal year 2024
DU professionals delivering conservation
Raised in Wetlands and Waterfowl Conservation in Fiscal Year 2024
Get Involved
Join Ducks Unlimited’s 684,000 members and over 1 million supporters in making a difference through donations, volunteering, or attending events. And 30,000 Ducks Unlimited volunteers hosted nearly 600,000 attendees at 4,555 events in Fiscal Year 2024.
Get the latest news about how Ducks Unlimited is changing the conservation world, one wetland acre at a time.
Conservation is the planned protection, restoration, and management of a natural resource to ensure its sustainable use and enjoyment by current and future generations.
Ducks Unlimited since 1937 has conserved more than 19 million acres of wetlands and grasslands that provide essential habitat for breeding, migrating, and wintering waterfowl. The need is urgent: more than 50% of historical wetland area across the United States has been drained, degraded, or converted to alternative uses.
Ducks Unlimited conservation falls into three categories. Protecting healthy intact wetlands with voluntary conservation easements or purchases, enhancing existing wetlands that have been degraded, and restoring wetlands in areas where they historically existed but have been drained or hydrologically altered.
Every Ducks Unlimited conservation project is completed in cooperation with other entities. We work with federal and state government agencies on public land, local municipalities, other conservation groups as well as private landowners. Cooperation is crucial to impact conservation on a large scale.
Ducks Unlimited takes a continental, landscape approach to wetlands conservation. While DU works in all 50 states, we focus on landscapes most beneficial to waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited is a science-driven organization, using data on wetlands, water and waterfowl to guide our work. Ducks Unlimited employs waterfowl and wetland scientists, and engineers that work together to design and oversee the delivery of priority habitat conservation projects.
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