Ducks Unlimited

Mike Ervin

Ducks Unlimited Mission Statement

 Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.

 

DU History

• “Ducks Unlimited (DU) has been restoring landscapes across North America since 1937 by working closely with thousands of private landowners and government agencies.  DU is now the largest land restoration organization in North America, having completed over 10,500 projects that cover 11 million acres.”

Objectives

• Explain Basic Administrative Structure

• Discuss How DU Raises Money

• Discuss Conservation Programs, Objectives, and Research

• Why DU Conserves

• Discuss How You Can Get Involved

DU Administrative Structure

• DU is primarily made up of non-paid volunteers– Volunteers form local committees

– Local Chapters are organized by Area Chairmen and women

– Local Chapters are overseen by District Chair within state

– District Chairmen form a state committee, overseen by State Chairmen

• Paid positions with DU include:– National President and Vice President

– Biologist, field technicians, and other conservation staff

– Public Relations, media representatives, and administrative secretaries

How DU Raises Money

• Event Sponsorships: – $250 through $1000

• Monetary Donations:– $1 and up

– Perpetual donations

• Merchandise Donations:– Sold, raffled, or auctioned at banquets

• Membership Dues:– $25 dollars

DU Conservation

• Leader in Wetland and Wildlife Conservation“Ducks Unlimited stands today as a global force in wetlands and wildlife conservation. DU's conservation programs have evolved and expanded over the years to address the habitat needs of waterfowl and other wildlife on ever changing landscapes. Today, DU and our many partners utilize space-age technology and cutting-edge research to conserve habitat as efficiently and cost effectively as possible”

DU Conservation Map

DU Conservation Efforts

• Wetland Conservation– Administered primarily in conjunction with Farm Bill Programs

• Grasslands Conservation– Also works in conjunction with Farm Bill projects

• Carbon Sequestering Program

• Research

• GIS in conservation

• DU and Government Affairs

Conservation Plan Principles

• Principle 1: Focus on Essential Waterfowl Habitat

• Principle 2: Use Ecosystem Management

• Principle 3: Conserve Existing Habitat

• Principle 4: Use Appropriate Levels of Management Intervention

• Principle 5: Integrate Adaptive Resource Management

• Principle 6: Expand Extension Initiatives

• Principle 7: Increase Public Policy Initiatives

• Principle 8: Communicate Effectively

Wetland Conservation

• Privately or in coordination with Farm Bill programs

• Conserve in area of highest priority (PPR, Boreal Forest, etc.)

• As of December 31, 2004, the total “acres conserved” in North America by DU was 11,259,529– U.S. – 3,231,947

– Canada – 6,288,036

– Mexico – 1,739,546.

Wetland Conservation: Farm Bill Goals

• DU generally constructs or preserves wetlands in coordination with Farm Bill Programs

• 2007 Wetland Conservation Goal: (in coordination with Wetlands Reserve Program)– • Maintain an annual allocation of WRP of at least 250,000 acres, with a

nationwide cap of 3,525,000 acres.

• Problem- “The program is authorized to enroll up to 250,000 acres annually; however, at the current rate of enrollment, WRP will cease to exist beyond 2006 unless it is reauthorized and the acreage cap increased.

Grassland Conservation

• Focus on:– Nesting Habitat: waterfowl depend on intact, continuous

grasslands to nest properly and avoid predation

– Grazing and Fire: grasslands depend on grazing and/or fire to prevent woody plant invasions

– Soil Conservation: grasslands maintain soil nutrient and prevent erosion

Grassland Conservation: DU Programs

• Grasslands for Tomorrow- US

• Prairie CARE- Canada– focused on the restoration and protection and

vast grassland and wetland complexes to achieve a sustainable landscape for wildlife, agriculture, and rural economies.

Grassland Conservation: Farm Bill Goals

• CRP in the Prairie Potholes (PPR):– 7.8 million acres in CRP

– USFWS estimates 2 million ducks produced here annually

• Problem:– Contracts on nearly 28 million of the 36 million CRP acres

nationwide are set to expire between 2007 and 2010.

Grassland Conservation: Farm Bill Goals

• Farm Bill “Sodsaver” Amendment– Removes incentives for farmers to turn native grasslands into cropland

• Problem:– Only about 1 million acres are protected in perpetuity.

– With the current conversion and protection rates, the PPR could lose over half of the remaining native prairie over the next 34 years.

– The USFWS estimates a decrease of 25,000 ducks in the fall flight with each 1% loss of native prairie in the PPR.

– Approximately 60% of these unprotected wetlands are surrounded by native prairie.

DU Research

• “Solutions to fundamental problems in waterfowl conservation are anchored in up-to-date scientific understanding of waterfowl and habitat resources upon which they rely.”

DU Research

DU Research Examples

• Variation of Winter Body Mass of Mallards in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley Project.

• An Evaluation of NAWMP Wetland Conservation Strategies for Migratory Waterfowl and Webless Marsh Birds in Ohio

GIS in DU Research

• “GIS and remote sensing provide the tools for effective delivery of waterfowl habitat and the means to monitor and model the impact of conservation and restoration projects within DU's priority areas.”

                    

Digital Topo MapLandsat satellite  Aerial Photo (DOQQ)

DU Research: Carbon Sequestering Program

• What is Carbon Sequestering?– “Carbon sequestration is the removal of polluting greenhouse gases from the

atmosphere by vegetation that absorbs and stores carbon.”

• Why do we need it?– Emerging industry is emitting large amounts of greenhouse the greenhouse gas

carbon dioxide. Currently these companies have to account for emitted carbon dioxide through voluntary mitigation

• DU’s Proposal:– Make the voluntary mitigation mandatory– Channel the mitigation through DU (voluntarily)– Creating waterfowl habitat, reducing greenhouse

gasses, and fighting global warming

Why DU Conserves

• We have lost 50% of our nations wetlands, reducing critical habitat for many species– Northern Leopard Frog, along with many other

amphibians

Why DU Conserves

• Flood Control– Wetlands act as natural flood barriers

How You can get involved

• Join DU– $25 annual membership

• Look for employment as DU Biologist or Intern

• Get involved with your local chapter by contacting your area chairmen

• Come to EKU’s DU Banquet on Thursday May 4th.