2012 al du spring newsletter - ducks unlimited content... · 2012. 5. 1. · on the wing alabama...

On the WingAlabama Ducks UnlimitedNewsletter - Spring 2012

Dear Alabama Ducks Unlimited Members,

Seventy-�ve years and 12.5 million acres conserved. What a great legacy our organization has built, and you have played a signi�-cant role in helping us achieve that legacy. You are Ducks Unlimited. Without your support, none of it would have been possible. Whether you are a major donor, sponsor, regular member, volunteer, someone who purchases incentive merchandise from the DU website or all of the above, you should take great pride in knowing that you have played a part in leaving this legacy for future generations. For that we thank you. However, we’ve still got much more to do. I’m very proud of the role that Alabama DU has played in the success of our incredible organization. Thanks to each of you for understanding the importance of the DU mission and being a part of our DU team. I mention the word “team” because that is what we are. We all play our own role in this wonderful organization. From our local volunteers who give freely not only of their time, but in most cases their money as well, to our dedicated supporters who attend our events and �nancially support our conservation mission. We are TEAM DU! This spring and summer promises to be a very busy time for Alabama DU. In addition to our normal fundraising events, we’ll be holding a 75th Anniversary event in Birmingham on May 8th, our DU National Convention in Nashville May 30th - June 3rd and the Alabama DU State Convention at Gulf Shores June 15th - 16th. All Alabama DU members are encouraged to participate in these events when possible. They are sure to be a great time, and we would love to have you join us (see event details inside). The Alabama DU state convention will be my last o�cial event as your state chairman. I can’t begin to tell you how honored I’ve been to serve in this position for the last two years. Even with a poor economy and other challenges that were thrown our way, as some of my duck blind partners might say, “We done good!” Our state leadership team, DU sta�, local volunteers and all Alabama DU members are to be congratulated on a job well done. I am certain that our incoming state chairman, Chad Hughey, will continue to grow AL DU and the strong support that Alabama gives to Ducks Unlimited. If you are not already, I would like to encourage you to become a volunteer for our TEAM DU. Help us make a di�erence, and leave behind a legacy that our children’s children can enjoy with their grandkids. Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity and for your support of Ducks Unlimited.

Wayne S. Keith Alabama State Chairman

Alabama Ducks UnlimitedState Committee


State ChairmanWayne Keith, Mobile, AL(251) 476-3610 [email protected]

State Chair ElectChad Hughey, Hartselle, AL(256)565-4747 [email protected]

State SecretaryCarol Sutfin, Birmingham, AL(205) 326-5214 [email protected]

State TreasurerGreg Hodges, Huntsville, AL(256) 722-8181 [email protected]

State Council ChairmanKaren Wood, Athens, AL(256) 230-0339 [email protected]

State Major Donor ChairmanMatt Stiles, Birmingham, AL [email protected]

State Strategic Planning ChairHenry Gaulden, Morris, AL(205) 790-5208 [email protected]

State Greenwing ChairmanRandy Ryals, Springville, AL(205) 937-7925 [email protected]

State Local Projects ChairmanJake McNeal, Auburn, AL(256) 656-3452 [email protected]

Ducks UnlimitedNational Volunteers

South Atlantic FlywayRegional DirectorDoug LasherDecatur, AL(256) 751-5930 [email protected]

Volunteer Service CoordinatorBetty HayesMemphis ,TN Headquarters(901) 758-3806 [email protected]

Director of Development - AL/FL/GAShawn Battison2506 Leonidas Dr.Montgomery, AL 36106(334) 430-8622 [email protected]

Director of Fundraising & Volunteer RelationsDon Manley25 Scott PlClinton NC 28328(910) 592 - 3898 (office)(910) 990 - 6345 (mobile)[email protected]

Ducks UnlimitedNational Sta� - Alabama

PresidentJohn W. Newman, Covington, LA(985) [email protected]

Sr. Vice-PresidentMonty Lewis,Thomasville, GA (229) 228-4427 [email protected] VP Stephen Whatley, Anniston, AL (256) 405-8013 [email protected]

Regional VPLloyd Goode, Raleigh, NC(919) [email protected]

At-Large Board of DirectorsBill Short, Columbia, SC(803) [email protected]

NEWS FROM THE PRAIRIESWetland Development Work Underway in Five North Dakota Counties

Nesting waterfowl in North Dakota will have new wetlands for food and shelter when they arrive next spring, thanks to a grant from Whiting Petroleum Corporation. Whiting donated $100,000 to DU to develop 16 wetlands, covering almost 42 acres in �ve North Dakota counties. DU cooperated with seven North Dakota landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete the work this past fall. DU engineers are designing more wetlands for future development under this grant. Large expanses of privately owned grassland surround these wetlands. Ranchers use the grasslands for livestock production, so the wetlands will help in their cattle operations, while providing vital water-fowl breeding and brood-rearing habitat. Nest success for ground-nesting ducks such as mallards, north-ern pintails and blue-winged teal is typically better in the Northern Great Plains than in other breeding regions because of the existing large expanses of grassland. These wetlands are important to other wetland-dependent wildlife species such as herons, grebes, soras, marbled godwits, phalaropes and avocets. Having water on the landscape in this region is also valuable to white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn ante-lope and upland bird species such as ring-necked pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse.

Jacob McNeal (r) and AU committee member putting up boxes at the Forever Wild Cattle Ranch tract.

Cypress Point Duck Club at White River LodgeStuttgart, Arkansas

Cell (334)703-4860 http://cypresspointduckclub.com/


Alabama District ChairmenDistrict #1 Grant McKelvey, Hartselle, AL(256)341-7379 [email protected] #2Russell Stone, Huntsville, AL(256)990-1718 [email protected] #3 Scott Farrar, Centre, AL(256)490-9322 [email protected] #4 Adam Pierce, Birmingham, AL(205) 283-1276 [email protected] #5 Ryan Stallings, Northport, AL(205)339-4577 [email protected] #6 William Holmes, Greensboro, AL(334)624-4001 [email protected] #7 Taylor Hart, Mathews, AL(334)451-5051 [email protected] #8 Lamar Seibenhener, Auburn, AL(334)[email protected] #9 VacantDistrict #10 VacantDistrict #11 VacantDistrict #12 David Ladd, Spanish Fort, AL(251)[email protected]

Alabama Ducks Unlimited Major DonorsPlatinum Legacy Sponsor

Big Cypress Duck Hole, LLCBenefactor

Grady C. HartzogMack H. Jenkins

Stephen W. WhatleyHeritage SponsorPeter V. Gregerson Jr.

A. H. KingRichard L. KowallikDouglas N. Lasher

Diamond Sponsor in PerpetuityJohn G. Howell

Sponsor in PerpetuityBud Foshee

Dick LaniganMarshall’s Outdoor Products, LLS

James E. ThompsonDiamond Life Sponsor

Bill Collins Jr.Dr. Dan T. GardnerStanley C. HunerWayne S. Keith

Douglas E. RobertsCarol Anne Sut�nLife Sponsor

Alabama Power CompanyDwain Armentrout

Ronnie BaileyNeal A. Ballard

James O. Banks Jr.Shawn Battison

Charles S. BrowningBudweiser-Busch Dist. Co. Inc.

Dr. Clyde W. Butler Jr.Charles E. Carper IVAnthony G. Chavers

Thomas E. ClarkAngus R. Cooper III

Jack DarnallDecatur Chamber of Commerce

Eddy L. DrydenDr. Lee B. Dubois

J. M. DudleyForrest Fitts

Henry Gaulden

Life Sponsor (Cont...)Henry C. Goodrich

Winthrop M. Hallett IIIJudge William W. Haralson

Anthony V. Hattier IIKenneth G. Hood

Anne Irwin HortonJe� Hughes

Chad HugheyGlenn Ireland IIFay B. Ireland

Raymond b. JonesDr. Ronald E. Jones

The Jurenko FoundationLarry M. Landrem

Hank LeuckenBruce T. Lightsey

Steve J. LoganDr. Robert C. Maynor

Dr. Michael R. McClellanDr. Jerry C. Oldshue Jr.

Joseph W. Propst IINickie Purser

Barry H. Saunders Jr.Jasper D. SmithGreg Steenson

Matthew P. StewartMatthew W. StilesBob SuellentropSunshine Homes

Sunshine MillsTurner Beverage Co. Inc.

T. Owen VickersAndrew J. Villarreal

Stephen W. Whatley Jr.Jimmy WhitakerDr. Jerre R. White

H. Gregory WilliamsWayne & Karen Wood

Robert D. Word Jr.Don Word

If you would like to add your name to this list of individu-als who have made the decision to leave a legacy for future genera-tions, please contact Shawn Battison, Director of Develop-ment, at (334)430-8622 or [email protected].

�e Easiest Way to Support DU in Alabama

There are a lot of ways to support Ducks Unlimited. You can attend an event, become a member at a sports show or sign up online. Maybe the easiest and most visible way is by purchasing a Ducks Unlimited license plate. Alabama has had a Ducks Unlimited license plate since 1996, and since that first plate was purchased in December 1996, more than 4,000 additional plates have been sold. Maybe the most impressive fact is that nearly $2.1 million YTD has been raised through the license plate program. Now that is impressive! Looking back, we owe a number of individuals a great debt of gratitude for person-ally getting involved and getting that first Alabama Ducks Unlimited license plate produced. In researching how the plate came to be, everyone I talked with gave credit to Bill Corley (who now resides in Houston, TX) as being the driving force behind the idea and making it reality. According to Bill, the idea came to him while attending a meeting at Ducks Unlimited headquarters in Memphis, TN. As he was walking through the parking lot, he spotted a Maryland Ducks Unlimited license plate, and said, “We need one of those.” When asked what he thought about how much money had been raised by his idea, he said, “It was easy money.” Bill Collins from Guntersville, who was the Alabama DU State Chairman (1996-98) at the time, said, “We thought that it would be great if we could raise $5,000 a year; we never dreamed it would be this big.” That first year, the plate raised more than $14,000. Bill was quick to point out that he played virtually no role in the process, and quickly gave credit to Corley, D. Patrick Harris (Montgomery), Grady Hartzog (Eufaula), Richard Kowallik (Madison), Doug Lasher (Decatur), William G. Pappas (Montgomery) and Joe Propst (Decatur). There are others who played a major role in the license plate’s success. Wayne and Karen Wood (past AL DU state chair) of Kare Packaging, Inc., in Athens sent postcard reminders to DU members as their vehicle registrations came up for renewal for two years. This may have been one of those key ingredients that helped us get to where we are today. Karen was very quick to point out that she practices what she preaches, and proudly displays DU plates on all three of their vehicles. Ducks Unlimited and duck hunters throughout the country owe these individuals, as well everyone who drives a vehicle with an Alabama DU license plate, many thanks, as they have already protected thousands of acres of duck producing habitat that will guarantee fall flights for generations to come. The cost of the Alabama DU plate is only $40, and roughly $35 of that fee goes directly to DU. You can purchase a DU plate at any Alabama Motor Vehicle Registration Office, and personalized plates can be ordered. Show your support; get your DU plate today. Saving wetlands and waterfowl is truly that easy.

Save an acre, become a sponsor.

Visit us on Facebook at Alabama Ducks Unlimited

For almost 20 years, the state's Forever Wild Land Trust has provided signi�cant wetlands for water-fowl from north Alabama to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Almost 99% of these lands are made available to the public to hunt for no more than the cost of a hunting license. On November 6th, 2012 there will be an amendment to continue this historic program that bene�ts all Alabamians by expanding our outdoor recre-ational opportunities. Alabama's Forever Wild Land Trust also helps keep our waters clean, bene�ting the wildlife that occupy our rivers, lakes, streams and marshes. Please encourage your friends, family and others to go to the polls on November 6th to vote YES to ensure we continue the legacy of the Forever Wild Land Trust to bene�t future generations. You can learn more about Forever Wild by visiting www.alabamiansforforeverwild.org.

Ducks Unlimited has been a proud partner in conservation with Forever Wild throughout Alabama, ensuring future generations of Alabamians an opportunity to experience the beauty of our natural resources. In fact, Ducks Unlimited was the �rst partner to bring dollars to the Mobile Tensaw Delta Forever Wild acquisition. In addi-tion, Ducks Unlimited is a member of the Forever Wild Reauthorization Coalition and will continue to support and partner with Forever Wild throughout Alabama. Here are two great examples of Ducks Unlimited and Forever Wild partnerships (see map on page 10 for project size and dollars spent): *Mobile Tensaw WMA *Sipsey River Complex

http://www.ducks.org/alabama/events/27917/morgan-county-kenducky-derby-party

http://www.ducks.org/alabama/events/27916/crenshaw-county-75th-anniversary-celebration-and-banquet

http://www.ducks.org/alabama/events/27524/tallapoosa-river-chapters-75th-anniversary-celebration

http://www.ducks.org/alabama/events/27602/75th-anniversary-celebration

[email protected]@statefarm.com

http://al.ducks.org

www.perdidobeachresort.com

[email protected]

http://www.ducks.org/alabama/events

Is Ducks Unlimited in your town?Would you like it to be?

Become part of the TEAM, and join TEAM DU today.Call Chad Hughey at

(256)565-4747 or email @ [email protected] and help us get a DU event in your

town.

Alabama Ducks Unlimited would like to start the following chapters

in 2012 and we need your help!-Alexander City -Birmingham Southern-Cleburn County -Eufaula-Fayette County -Franklin County -Ft. Payne -Hoover HS-Jackson -Jacksonville St. Uni. -Marion County -Montgomery Acad HS-Mt. Brook HS -Pickens Co.-Selma -Thomasville-Troy University -Wetumpka

For a complete listing of Alabama Ducks Unlimited events,

Click Here

Alabama Ducks Unlimited75th AnniversaryState Convention

June 15-17, 2012Perdido Beach Resort

27200 Perdido Beach Blvd.Orange Beach, AL 36561

www,perdidobeachresort.com

For more information or to regis-ter, visit us online at:

al.ducks.org

Contact Information:Wayne Keith- State Chairman (251) 476 - 3610

Dave Ladd - Chairman (251) 379 - 1263Douglas Lasher - Staff Contact (256) 227 - 7361

Come join us for our celebration of a great 2011 for Alabama Ducks and the 75th Anniversary of

Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

Friday Night will feature a Low-Country Boil on Ono Island followed Saturday by some DU

business and our evening Special 75th Anniver-sary Celebration and Banquet at the Resort.

As soon as we complete meal selection, we will determine participation pricing and have tickets

available.

Rooms are currently available at Perdido Beach Resort by requesting the DU block when you

contact them.

Tallapoosa River Chapter's 75th Anniversary Celebration - May 4thStudio B Dance Center - Tallassee, AL

Contact - Erik Creswell (334) 657 - 9561 Crenshaw County 75th Anniversary Celebration - May 4th

Luverne Country Club - Luverne, ALContact - Jonathan Smith (334) 319 - 1484

Morgan County KenDucky Derby Party - May 5thDecatur Country Club - Decatur, AL

Contact - Scott Stadthagen (256) 606 - 6028Alabama Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary Celebration - May 8th

Vulcan Park - Birmingham, ALContact - Adam Pierce (205) 283 - 1276

Upcoming Events

Http://al.ducks.org

Alabama Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary

Celebration FestivalAugust 10 - 11, 2012

Ingalls Harbor- Decatur, Al

Featured Activities and Speakers:Phil Roberson – The Duck CommanderDonny McElvoy and Scott Leysath – Outdoor PersonalitiesTommy Wilcox – Outdoor Celebrity and former Alabama All-American Daryle Singletary – Nashville Recording Artist and Featured SingerHome Depot/Americ Rental Kidz TownDuck Calling ContestDeke the DU Dog & Mike Stewart of Wildrose KennelsFor sponsorship opportunities and / or vendor information, please contact Chad Hughey at (256)565-4747 or email

[email protected].

Celebrating 75 years as the world’s leader inwetlands and waterfowl conservation. Join us!!

DETAILS COMING SOON!!

VISIT AL.DUCKS.ORG FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

A Changing of the Guard After two great years of Wayne Keith leading Alabama DU as the Top Duck, June 16th will be his last official day as State Chairman. State Chair Elect Chad Hughey will take command of AL DU during the Saturday evening banquet at this year’s State Convention (see ad on page 6). Chad is from south Jefferson County but now resides in Hartselle. He is married to Dana Reaves Hughey from Camden and is a proud father to four children: Olivia, Jack-

son, William and Caroline. Three of their children are under four, so there is never a dull moment around the house. Chad says, “Hunting has always been a passion and a big part of my life. I love to do it all: deer, ducks, quail, turkey... you name it. I am also passionate about conserving our natural resources and passing our hunting heritage down to the next generation, the one after that and so on. The work we do as volunteers with DU makes a difference, and I am proud to be a part of our great volunteer-driven organization. I am looking forward to meeting many new friends over the next two years and working to continue building the TEAM. Together we can ensure that our grandchildren experience the same sights and sounds that we have today, and pass on our beloved outdoor heritage to the next generation of conservationists.”

AL DU is truly in good hands. If you would like to contact Chad, and become part of his TEAM, you can contact him at [email protected].

IN MEMORIAMChuck Sharp With the untimely passing of Chuck Sharp on March 11, DU lost a tremendous friend and colleague. Charles (Chuck) Ray Sharp was a Wildlife Biologist for the Alabama Department of Conservation for over 29 years. He served as state Waterfowl Project Leader and Division Technical Representative to the Mississippi Flyway Council. In his position on the Gulf Coast Joint Venture Board, Sharp worked closely with DU and other partners to accomplish the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Chuck was also a former Alabama DU State Chairman and Life Sponsor. “He was priceless among wildlife professionals,” said DU Director of Conservation Programs Jerry Holden. “He was extremely dependable and steady, and his presence in any setting always instilled a great degree of comfort and confidence. Chuck had a can-do attitude and common-sense approach to every-thing.” Alabama DU is holding a memorial event in Chuck’s honor on May 8th in Birmingham as a tribute to his dedication not only to Ducks Unlimited, but to our waterfowl resources as well. For event details, please contact Doug Lasher at (256)227-7361 or [email protected].

Chuck (right) and Greg Gregerson after a successful hunt.

Ducks Unlimited presented with 2012 Theodore Roosevelt Legacy AwardMEMPHIS, Tenn. – March 21, 2012 Ducks Unlimited has been chosen to receive the Boone and Crockett Club’s (B&C) prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award for 2012. B&C President Ben Wallace presented the award to DU CEO Dale Hall on March 14 during the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Atlanta. The award was created in 2008 to honor the collaborative spirit of America’s greatest conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt. “This award is a way for us to highlight and encourage people and organi-zations working together to achieve great things,” said B&C President Ben Wal-lace. “Cooperative partnerships have proven crucial throughout the history of conservation—and they’re going to be even more important in the future.” Etched on the award, the Boone and Crockett Club thanks DU “For its 75 years of extraordinary dedication to conserving over 12 million acres of waterfowl habitat and influencing 96 million more through partnerships and policy.” “Ducks Unlimited is truly honored to receive this prestigious award,” Hall said. “The Boone and Crockett Club and Ducks Unlimited have a rich conserva-tion partnership history, sharing astrong commitment to wildlife and conservation. This award is especially humbling to me as aprofessional member of B&C. We are extremely proud of our long association with Boone and Crockett.” In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed two B&C members, Jay “Ding” Darling and Aldo Leopold, to a committee with Thomas Beck to assess the dismal state of migratory birds and to recommend actions. Together they proposed the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, which soon became law. The act provided that funds from sales of federal duck stamps would be used to acquire land for the National Wildlife Refuge System, established earlier by B&C founder Theodore Roosevelt. In 1935, the eventual founders of DU, through an entity they created in 1930 called the More Game Birds in America Foundation, sponsored the International Wild Duck Census, the first comprehensive aerial survey of North America’s most important waterfowl breeding grounds. This survey confirmed the importance of duck habitat conserva-tion in Canada. However, federal duck stamp monies couldn’t be used outside U.S. borders. So, in 1937, DU was launched for the purpose of raising funds in the United States to secure lands in Canada. A second entity, DU Canada, was established to actually deliver that mission. Today, DU is the world’s largest and most effective non-governmental organization for waterfowl and wetlands conservation. Supported by legions of dedicated partners and volunteers,DU has raised nearly $3.5 billion and conserved more than 12.5 million acres of waterfowl and wildlife habitat. DU is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012. “Ducks Unlimited has always felt very closely aligned with the Boone and Crockett Club and its philosophy of cooperative conservation,” Hall said. “As the founder of the modern conservation movement, Theodore Roosevelt realized things get done when you work together to achieve a common goal. DU is very pleased and honored to receive this prestigious award from our friends and partners at the Boone and Crockett Club.”

Boone & Crockett Club President Ben Wallace (left) presents the 2012 Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award to Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall on March 14 in Atlanta. (Photo courtesy boone-crockett.org)

DU unveils Gulf Coast Policy page In order to raise awareness about the continent’s most important wintering grounds, Ducks Unlimited has launched a new Gulf Coast Public Policy section (www.ducks.org/gulfcoastpolicy) on its website. For decades, DU has been working with federal and state governments to stop and reverse the longterm wetlands loss affecting this region. “Gulf Coast wetlands are a top conservation priority for Ducks Unlimited; millions of waterfowl winter along the Gulf Coast each year,” said DU Director of Public Policy Barton James. “However, to restore wetlands, coastal prairies and marshes in this region, sportsmen must get involved and reach out to their elected officials. This new section of the DU website will be a valuable tool to help sportsmen highlight the Gulf Coast’s importance to their members of Congress.” Visit DU’s new Gulf Coast Policy page and take action to help us save the continent’s most important wintering grounds.

www.ducks.org

DU CEO DALE HALL REMARKS ON CONSERVATION FOR GENERATIONS This year marks a very special time for Ducks Unlimited. On Jan. 29, 1937, the More Game Birds in America organization transitioned into what would become the greatest wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation organization in the world! � roughout

this year, we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary, and we have a great deal to celebrate. From our beginnings in Manitoba at Big Grass Marsh with a project impacting 100,000 acres, to our current partnership with the Pew Charitable Trusts to conserve 1 billion acres in the vast boreal forests, our work has been based on the simple principle of cooperation with others. During DU’s � rst years, struggling farmers were DU’s best partners; the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression were in full swing and signi� cant acres of wetlands were being converted to farmland. � e partnership with farmers was based on “water on the ground, ducks in the air,” and immediately elevated DU’s status as a group of people who wanted to roll up their sleeves and solve problems. � e very � rst volunteers to answer the call were hunters. Hunters know that to have enough ducks to enjoy our passionate pursuit, there must be healthy habitats. In 1934, when the Depression had more people in bread lines and westward caravans than were employed, duck hunters lobbied Congress to require them to pay to go hunting! � is was followed in 1937 by hunters and � rearm and ammunition industries lobbying for a tax on these items used solely for conservation. � is law is still in place today and supports state � sh and

wildlife agencies. Also in 1937, Ducks Unlimited Incorporated and Ducks Unlimited Canada were born. With DUC as the original mechanism to deliver projects on the ground in Canada, our partnership has been long and rich with science-based decisions and volunteer-driven passion. Until the 1980s, all DU’s work was done in Canada. � en science unveiled the importance of migratory and wintering habitat. DUI has continued its partnership with DUC to conserve valuable nesting grounds, but has expanded to include projects in all 50 states. We are rapidly closing in on 13 million acres conserved in North America, with a target of 750 million to 1 billion more acres conserved in Canada’s boreal forests. What an accomplishment to celebrate! But as we and our numerous partners celebrate these great successes, we must not rest on our accomplishments. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we still lose more acres than we are able to conserve each year in the U.S., and across North America the pressures to convert valuable waterfowl habitat to other uses is greater than ever. Our challenges are great, but with the continued dedication of our volunteers, members and sta� , Ducks Unlimited WILL NOT FAIL! I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the next 12 months as we celebrate 75 years of phenomenal accomplishment. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DUCKS UNLIMITED!

NAWCA - SOUND INVESTMENT FOR A SECURE FUTURE Ducks Unlimited has provided a strong voice on public policy issues impacting wetlands and waterfowl conservation across North America for 75 years. � e North American Wetlands Conservation Act is the most signi� cant federal program that DU partners with to protect and conserve habitat for North America’s migratory bird populations. � is program provides grants to partner groups—private landowners, local companies, conservation organizations, and more—who have matched the grant funds by raising money from non-federal sources. � ese funds are then used to impact wetlands that are in need of restoration and enhancement, and competition for these funds means the match is typically 2-3 times the grant amount. 2012 will be critical for NAWCA in two ways. First, NAWCA requires reauthorization every � ve years, with the current bill expiring in 2012. DU is seeking congressional support for bills in the Senate and the House that would reauthorize the program until 2017. � is would allow the Congress to fund these wetland grants. Second, federal budgets are lean this year and funding for programs such as NAWCA are at risk. NAWCA brings in more money to the federal treasury than it costs. It also creates thousands of jobs each year, and creates business for hotels, restaurants, plant nurseries, construction companies, and many others. � is program is an incredibly valuable tool for natural resource protection in this country. It deserves strong, active support from DU supporters. Please help by visiting www.ducks.org/nawca or by calling your Senators and House member to express your support for NAWCA.

2012 CO N S E R VAT I O N R E P O R T • C E L E B R AT I N G D U C K S U N L I M I T E D ’S 75 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y

AlabamaSOUTHERN REGION

Ducks Unlimited • Southern Region Based on numbers 1/1/12 www.ducks.org/alabama

2012 al du spring newsletter - ducks unlimited content... · 2012. 5. 1. · on the wing alabama...

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