PROGRESS REPORT 2008 ©DUCKS UNLIMITED ©DUCKS

SECURING THE FUTURE OF WATERFOWL PRESERVING OUR IDENTITY

Like most of you, I am a waterfowler. Duck hunting is not a casual thing with me. It’s part of my identity.

Yet every year when I am asked to complete fi nancial resources to Duck Unlimited. For this, I off er you my heart- those hunting surveys, I am amazed (and felt thanks. I also urge you to persevere, because the Prairie Pothole disappointed) with how few days I actually Region – the “Duck Factory” of North America – needs your help occupy a duck blind. How is it that we can spend so little time at an more than ever. activity but identify with it so strongly? As this annual report celebrates the many successes in our Grass- Certainly, our occupation helps shape our identity. So do hobbies lands for Tomorrow Initiative, we also bring to your attention many and leisure activities that consume much of our free time. Folks who new challenges facing the prairies. I hope you will rejoice in our col- consider themselves “runners” are examples of the latter. Th ey tend to lective accomplishments, but I also urge you to consider what more pound the pavement every day, year round. But sometimes our identi- you can do to help. We need to keep the ducks fl ying and the fi re ty is born not from repetition but from the intensity of the experience. burning. I believe many waterfowlers are like that. We think about our hunts long after the season ends, and the replays are more than enough to Dr. Jim Ringelman carry us through spring and summer, into the next fall. Director of Conservation Programs, Dakotas and Montana It’s this same intensity that drives many of us to support the cause of waterfowl conservation and to contribute our time, talent and Jim may be contacted at [email protected]

WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW The vision of the Grasslands for Tomorrow Initiative is to sustain the duck production capacity of the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region by preserving, restoring, and managing critical and nesting habitat. MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON THE LAND

In an area as vast as the Prairie Pothole it takes both elements in combination Decades of research and advanced Region, targeting our conservation – wetlands and grasslands – to make computing power enable us to map programs can be a daunting challenge. for successful breeding habitat.” Fortunately, science and technology are Despite having lost two-thirds of duck distributions and target our on our side. Decades of research have our prairie wetlands, the greatest, im- conservation programs revealed how ducks respond to mediate threat today is to the grass- conditions and settle in the landscape. lands. And when grasslands are lost, For example, we now have created a ducks suff er. “duck distribution map,” which reveals “We have been studying the rela- that the fi ve primary duck species con- tionship between duck nest survival centrate in certain areas, particularly and the amount of grassland in the the landform known as the Missouri landscape,” said Scott Stephens, direc- Coteau. Th is knowledge has been an tor of conservation planning, “and the immense help in strategically targeting results are striking.” our conservation investments. Stephens says as the amount of “Th e wetlands are the magnets that grassland diminishes and the habitat draw the birds in and stimulate them becomes fragmented, more nests are to breed,” said Randy Renner, DU destroyed by predators. Part of this manager of conservation programs for increase is caused by a change in the easements. “But it’s the grasslands that predator community when cropland provide them with nesting cover. So replaces grassland, but it also has to do

WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW with the search effi ciency of predators. protection of thousands of acres of grasslands in perpetuity, essential “Finding a nest in a vast grassland is like fi nding a needle in a to the future of waterfowl and other prairie nesting migratory birds,” haystack,” he said, “but frag- said Lloyd Jones, refuge coor- ment that grassland into small dinator for the U.S. Fish and patches and predators more Wildlife Service. easily fi nd the nests.” “Hundreds of landown- DU’s solution is to keep the ers are on a waiting list to grassland intact by acquiring sell easements, but our funds perpetual easements from are insuffi cient to meet the willing landowners. For a demand,” said Steve Adair, one-time payment, these director of DU’s Great Plains easements forever protect the Regional Offi ce. “Our goal grassland from being plowed MALLARDS is to permanently protect 2 and require that haying be million acres of the best wa- delayed until after the primary nesting season is over. terfowl breeding habitat in the U.S. prairies by 2017. Reaching that During fi scal year 2007, DU purchased 24,112 acres of grassland critical mark will take continued investments of our inspired donors easements along with 3,780 acres of easements to protect wetlands. and enhanced conservation funding from our state and federal gov- Since the inception of Grasslands for Tomorrow, DU and our U.S. ernments.” Fish and Wildlife Service partners have secured easements on 697,837 acres in the Missouri Coteau. If you are interested in donating or selling an easement to DU, contact “Th e partnership between the Service and DU has resulted in the Randy Renner at [email protected] BUYING LAND FOR CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION

DU’s landholdings are designed to compliment our easement program. staff and elected offi cials on our properties allows us to grab their When a critical piece of habitat is at risk and the landowner does not attention so we can explain not only the ecology but also the conserva- want to sell or donate an easement, DU may attempt to buy the prop- tion threats.” erty as part of our conservation land strategy. Using funds reserved in After hosting a special pool, DU acquires, restores, protects via easement, and then hundreds of guests re-sells land to either an agency or private buyer. Th e revenue from the on DU’s 9,500 acre sale is then recycled into another acquisition. Goebel Ranch, “Th e conservation land strategy lets us accomplish more conserva- Meidinger has wit- tion with a limited pool of capital,” said Bruce Reinarts, manager of nessed the magic land acquisitions in DU’s Great Plains region. “We have learned to fi rst-hand. “Being on be selective about which properties we acquire so as to manage our a well-managed DU restoration costs.” Reinarts says DU’s web-based auction site, where property showcases our we list and re-sell properties, ensures everyone has equal access to the expertise and enhances properties. our credibility,” he Since the inception of Grasslands for Tomorrow, DU has purchased said. “It has opened 33,536 acres, and currently holds 17,366 acres. Th e balance of 16,170 doors with landowners has been “revolved out.” DU’s goal for the GFT conservation land pro- who now manage their gram is 150,000 acres, and we will continue to re-sell most of it, while properties better, convinced elected offi cials to enact stronger conserva- hanging on to about 10 percent or 15,000 acres. tion policies and motivated donors to support our cause.” Randy Meidinger, who manages DU’s properties in the Dakotas, says there are compelling reasons for DU to own some properties. “Many people are unfamiliar with the ecology of this region,” If you are interested in donating or selling land to DU, contact Meidinger said. “We’ve found that hosting neighbors, donors, agency Bruce Reinarts at [email protected]

WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW FINDING COMMON GROUND WITH RANCHERS

“Th e settlers had it fi gured out,” says Wendi Rinehart, a Highmore, We also continue to assist with rotational grazing systems and provide South Dakota rancher. “Th ey wrote in their journals ‘the best is on expertise on the best management practices for grasslands. top’… meaning this land is meant for grazing, not for cropping. Yet the DU donors also get the connection. In 2007, DU members from prairie is getting ripped up, and once it’s gone, it the southern U.S. can’t be replaced.” traveled to South Cattle and ducks need the same things: grass Dakota to person- and water. So it is natural that ranchers and duck ally meet with conservationists share common interests. After all, a rancher who when grassland disappears, so does the livestock wanted to protect industry. his prairie with For years, ranchers have worked with DU to conservation ease- enact perpetual grassland easements that forever ments. Before they save the prairie. And increasingly, it is ranchers left, they com- like Rinehart who point to fl awed public policies mitted to paying as one cause of grassland loss. “Th e 2002 Farm for his easements Bill has had unintended, harmful consequences,” with their personal said Rinehart at a recent farm bill hearing, “consequences that have donations to DU. Could there ever be a better model of ranchers and made it diffi cult to maintain the livelihood and way of life for us and DU fi nding common ground for conservation? many other ranching families across South Dakota.” DU understands the “rancher connection,” which is why we recently If you are interested in donating to Grasslands for Tomorrow, contact provided cost-share to 16 ranchers to install water systems during a Dave Afton at [email protected] recent drought and protected 4,040 acres of grassland in the process. BUT WHAT IF THERE IS NO GRASS?

Much of the Great Plains has undergone irreversible change over the last 150 years. Th e Prairie Pothole Region is now part of the “breadbasket of the world.” Yet wetlands still exist in much of the landscape, causing ducks to settle and make an at- tempt to breed. Without some form of nesting cover, they are doomed to failure. Fortunately, there is an alternative – winter wheat. Th is crop, because it is planted in the fall and remains undisturbed during the spring nesting features. In fact, he is now the recognized expert on winter wheat in season, provides a safe nesting haven for ducks. But it takes expertise the Dakotas. to pull off a winter wheat crop in the Dakotas’ unforgiving, severe Producers, as well as the agricultural industry, are taking no- climate. Th at’s where DU Regional Agronomist Blake Vander Vorst tice. Bayer CropScience and Syngenta, Inc. have contributed over comes into play. With a degree in agriculture and experience as a $500,000 in support of DU’s winter wheat program. But the divi- crop consultant, Vander Vorst provides the technical support needed dends go well beyond dollars. North Dakota’s 2007 winter wheat by farmers. acreage was 2.3 times the 2006 crop, and the forecast is for a 40 per- “Our winter wheat program emphasizes demonstration plots and cent increase in acres in 2008. Th at means alternative nesting habitat variety trials, but I also spend a lot of time with individual produc- for ducks…where there is no grass. ers,” Vander Vorst said. “Th ey need the technical support that gives them confi dence to try winter wheat.” Vander Vorst’s newsletter, For more information on DU’s winter wheat program, contact: which reaches over 1200 farmers, is widely read, as are his magazine Blake Vander Vorst at [email protected]

WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW NORTHERN PINTAIL RESEARCH SEEKING ANSWERS, ENSURING SUCCESS

Th ere was an audible yelp from the young fi eld biologist when the blue-winged teal hen sprang from her nest and into the net. At last! Th is was the third attempt to catch this hen. Now researchers could install the plastic markers that give her a unique color and number, enabling future observers to discover whether she successfully raises a brood and returns to nest in this area in subsequent years. It’s all part of understanding duck ecology, which results in more eff ective conservation delivery. Research continues to be a critical part of the Grasslands for Tomorrow initiative. In 2007, biologists found and monitored 2,250 duck nests to en- hance our understanding of the factors that regulate duck nesting success. Th ey also discovered and tracked 55 shorebird and 38 raptor nests. After all, the prairie is home to more than just ducks. Th ese results enable us to fi ne-tune our programs. We now target land- scapes with larger blocks of grassland and avoid areas with fragmentation and excessive “edge.” We also leverage our science to bolster the case for better public policies that maintain native prairie and enhance the benefi ts of the Conservation Reserve Program.

WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW BLUE-WINGED TEAL LEVERAGING BENEFITS FROM PUBLIC POLICY

Nearly 820,000 acres of CRP grassland disappeared in the Dakotas and Montana in 2007. CRP contracts on more than 5 million acres in those states will expire in the next four years.

Arguably, nothing impacts the landscape of the Prairie Pothole Region like public policies – especially policies that aff ect agriculture. Th at’s why DU’s Grassland for Tomorrow Initia- tive dedicated a full-time biologist to work on the farm bill during 2007. “Th e farm bill is incredibly complex and constantly evolving,” said Joe Satrom, director of public policy for the Great Plains Regional Offi ce. “We have several important programs either up for renewal or in danger of extinction. Th e Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is credited with producing 2 million additional ducks per year. Obviously, we need to get that renewed. Th e Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) may not even be reauthorized, so that also takes lots of attention.” Ducks Unlimited has also been at the forefront of proposing new policies, such as the “sodsaver” provision that would protect native prairie. “We’re losing native prairie at a rate of 1 to 2 percent per year,” said Scott McLeod, DU’s farm bill biologist. “Th at doesn’t sound like much, but at a 2 percent annual loss rate, half of today’s prairie will be gone in 34 years.” “Much of the newly broken prairie is on marginal land,” McLeod said. “Producers are busting it out because farm bill programs off er insur- ance and commodity payments that provide a fi nancial safety net. We’re saying that taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for breaking out new ground. It should be up to the landowner to assume that risk. Th at’s what sodsaver is all about.” Once a new farm bill is crafted, rule-making and implementation follow. DU will stay involved throughout the process, since few programs leave a bigger footprint on the land.

You may contact Scott McLeod at [email protected]

WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY TO PROTECT AMERICA’S GRASSLAND

Why do we care about conservation? We think it’s the same drive that makes us load up the truck with hunting gear in the fall and pile the kids into the car in the spring to watch huge fl ocks of ducks and geese. Ducks Unlimited is working to keep the skies full of wa- Anyone can love the mountains, but it terfowl in the spring and fall. Th e Grasslands for Tomorrow takes a soul to love the prairie. Initiative is protecting as much grassland as possible with the Bismarck’s Karen Kreil loves the quote at the entrance to South Da- funds available. kota’s Badlands National Park: “Anyone can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie.” We need your help more than ever. With great pressure “Th e prairie has a lot of meaning to me, the resource, the sense of place,” Kreil said. today to plow up native prairie, each acre of grass we don’t Kreil wanted to use an inheritance from her mother to do some- protect today is in danger of not being there tomorrow. thing that would have lasting meaning. She decided she would take the opportunity to help protect the prairie. Karen and her husband Become a major donor to Grasslands for Tomorrow. Randy became major donors to Ducks Unlimited with a gift to the Grasslands for Tomorrow Initiative. Contact: Th e Kreils both work in conservation. Karen is with the North Da- Dave Afton kota Natural Resources Trust and Randy with North Dakota Game Director of Development and Fish Department. Karen sees their gift to Grasslands for Tomorrow as a way to recog- 701.355.3511/[email protected] nize her mother and keep native prairie intact for future generations. “Grasslands for Tomorrow is an incredible program,” she said. “It’s not easy to protect prairie. DU has taken such a leadership role in working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. It wouldn’t happen without DU working here.” BRIDGING THE FLYWAYS

Dan Ray grew up hunting and fi shing the backwoods and cypress of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. After many years away, Dan and his wife Linda decided to return to South Carolina and purchase Annandale Plantation, a historic rice plantation along the Santee River in Georgetown County where he was raised. As a major wintering ground for various types of migratory birds, the of the Santee off er some of the best waterfowling in South Carolina. Dan and his family have taken great pride in improving the waterfowl habitat on An- nandale. Th ey are managing a diversity of wetland plants, controlling water depths and eliminating invasive weeds. Th e Rays also practice quality deer management on their property and enjoy healthy populations of wild turkeys and other of wildlife, including alligators. In 2003, Dan and Linda donated a perpetual conservation easement on Annandale Plantation to Ducks Unlimited. “We wanted this property to remain in its natural state Investing in the prairie so that it could be enjoyed by future generations and to help preserve the integrity of this Investing in the prairie is a personal and professional unique part of the country,” he said. decision for Bismarck, N.D.’s Craig Larson. Realizing that South Carolina waterfowl fl ights could not be sustained by working Craig is CEO of Starion Financial, a fi nance enter- there alone, Dan traveled to North Dakota to experience the prairie potholes where most prise with banks in North Dakota and Wisconsin. As of North America’s waterfowl are produced. After seeing the productivity of the prairies a company, Starion focuses on community involve- and the threats to its wetlands and grasslands, Dan and Linda made major investments ment and has given generously to protect the prairie. in both DU’s work in the prairies and in South Carolina. Starion has already given Ducks Unlimited $25,000 and recently pledged to contribute another $25,000 for ease- “We have invested signifi cant time and resources in making our South Carolina ment work in North Dakota. property more hospitable to migrating ducks. In order to enhance and protect that in- “We believe the prairies are an incredible resource in vestment, we realize the grasslands of the Dakotas need to continue to fi ll the skies with the Dakotas and deserve our investment from a business waterfowl,” Ray said. “We want to do our part to insure that production continues.” perspective,” Larson said. “My wife and I also believe in this national treasure, and we give as a family.” Craig and his wife Shelley are members of Ducks Unlimited’s President’s Council. WWW.DUCKS.ORG/GRASSLANDSFORTOMORROW THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND MAJOR DONORS

PARTNERS Audubon Last Chance Land & Water Consulting, Inc. Rock Creek Lands Partnership, LLP Bureau of Land Management LDL Cattle Company South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts Bureau of Reclamation Montana Department of Administration South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks Central Flyway Waterfowl Council Montana Department of Transportation State of South Dakota City of Finley Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Steele County Water Resource District Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Morse Land Company Sully’s Hill Wildlife Refuge Society of the Flathead Nation Natural Resources Conservation Service Th e Nature Conservancy Coteau Properties North American Wetlands Conservation Council U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dakota Industries, Inc. North Dakota Chapter of Th e Wildlife Society U.S. Geological Survey DBA Professional Tree & Turf Equipment North Dakota Game and Fish Department University of Montana Farmers Coop Assn. North Dakota Natural Resources Trust University of North Dakota Finley Wildlife Club North Dakota State University Upper Missouri Pheasants Forever Gallatin Valley Pheasants Forever North Dakota State Water Commission USDA - Farm Service Agency Georgia Duck Stamp Program Pheasants Forever Wild Rice Soil Conservation District Lake Agassiz RC&D Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Wildlife Management Institute, Inc.

CORPORATIONS FOUNDATIONS AND TRUSTS Allen and Company, Inc. Nutech Seeds Capital Electric Charitable Trust Steve Blomeke Trust Alliance Pipeline, Inc. Philom Bios Cumberland Community Foundation Steven E. Grosser, BASF Corporation Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Midcontinent Foundation Bayer CropScience Puetz Construction, Inc. Family Foundation Th e Buchanan Family Foundation Canadian National Railway Company Pulse USA, Inc. Elizabeth and Stephen Bechtel, Th e Bush Foundation Ceres, Inc. Sewell Printing Service, Inc. Jr. Foundation Th e Fanwood Foundation Decoys Unlimited Specialized Title Services, Inc. Henry Saff ord Peacock Foundation Th e George B. Storer Foundation Duke University Medical Center Starion Financial Homebuilding Community Foundation Th e Kresge Foundation Eide Bailly L.L.P. Syngenta Crop Protection M. Austin Davis Foundation Th e Tucker Foundation Foss Associates Architecture T J Technologies, Inc. MDU Resources Foundation Turner Foundation Great River Energy T. K. Electric Midcontinent Foundation Walker Foundation Hennessy Automobile Companies Tesoro - Mandan Refi nery Mills Bee Lane Memorial Foundation Waterfowl Research Foundation Herters and Dunn Th e Eco Products Fund Morgridge Family Foundation Wolf Creek Charitable Foundation Mid Dakota Medical Building Partnership U.S. Bank North Dakota Community Foundation Midcontinent Radio Wachovia Bank of Georgia Richard King Mellon Foundation Monsanto Company Wild Wings, LLC Mycogen Seeds Ziff Properties, Inc. Novartis Crop Protection, Inc. THANK YOU TO OUR INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS

Dr. Stephen & Laura Adair John & Cheryl Dale Judy & William Kopp Richard & Nancy Adkerson Raymond T. Dalio H. Hod Kosman David & Heidi Afton Skipper & Cindy Dickson Randy & Karen Kreil Bill & Carol Allen Paul & Beverly Dickson Dennis F. Kumlin Charles C. Allen III D.J. & Kris Dondelinger Hal Kuykendall Steve & Carol Andersen William & Janet Duffey Craig & Shelly Larson Terry Anderson Ken & Bonnie Durdahl Frank & JoAndrea Larson Anonymous Supporter - Goldeneye J. Michael & Carolyn L. Dvorak W. Robert Lepczyk Anonymous Supporter - Wigeon Jimmy & Gwendolyn Emfi nger Craig & Andrea LeSchack Anonymous Supporter - Harlequin Paul & Therese Erickson Roland R. MacKenzie II Anonymous Supporter - Canvasback Dr. Calvin K. & Doris Fercho Boyce & Cheryl Magli Paul H. Arnfelt Senator William H. Frist William P. Maney J. Daniel Baasen Allen L. Geisen Chad & Jana Manlove Gregory H. Barnhill Edward A. Grassi Laurence & Susan Manlove Doug “Coach” Bartlett Dr. Joseph C. Greenfi eld William C. Marcil Ed Battaglia Kenneth & Marian Greenwood Paul Mayer PRAIRIE SMOKE Michael J. Batza, Jr. Dave & Marg Grohne Rory & Joyce McCallum Joel D. Bennett John F. Grundhofer Edwin James McCarthy & Richard M. Berkeley Henry G. Hagan Alexandria Bjorklund John & Shirley Berry Edwin Hale Jack & Jimmie Faye McCarty John M. Reid JJ & JM Stutzman Drs. David & Julie Blehm Allen & Ann Harmsen John McCulley, Sr. Bruce & Darlene Reinarts Bob & Rita Sundberg DuWayne T. Bott Thomas & Patricia Hastings John McDonald Darrel & Darlene Reinke Gretchen & Brett Taylor, Jr. Jim Bradford, Jr. Edward & Nancy Henry Don McFarland Randy & Susan Renner Jay & Maris Thompson Forrest “Woody” Brehm Frank G. Hill William J. Meredith Richard and April Rice H.Dean & Kathy Trauger Kiley P. Brehm Ruth A. Hoefs P. Anthony Meredith George S. Rich J. T. “Skip” Tubbs, Jr. Joe & Judy Breidenbach Kevin & Lynn Holthaus William Miles Richard C. Riggs, Jr. Todd & Kim Tyler Dohn Broadwell Duane B. Hughes Candace C. Miller Jim & Jennie Ringelman Peter Van Dyke Kevin & Janie Brown Dr. Tom & Katie Hutchens Howard S. Misner Brian & Kris Ross Charles E. Vieth Brown & Bigelow Lee Ann & Orrin H. Ingram II Thomas E. & Anne Marie Moorman Mr. Donald C. Sattler William C. Voss Ben & Meg Burnley Brad & Barty Jensen Billy & Cissye Mounger Neil & Margaret Severinson Dr. James F. Walton III Richard N. Cabela Gregory D. Jensen Dr. Gunard Nelson J. Richard & Isabella G. Silk Tom Wanous J. R. Cargill, Deceased Rob Jordahl William & Alice Oehmig Mark D. Smith, DMD Rick Warhurst Jerry P. Cashman Donald W. Kallenberger Saf & Betty Peacock Charles Smithgall William B. Webster, Sr. John Childs James and Sarah Kennedy Rick & Betty Pederson Alan Spaulding Merry & Frederick White, Jr. Kay Church Roger F. Kennedy James & Patti Pike Paul Stephen Springmeyer Bruce & Phyllis Wojcik Sue & Dr. C. Edmund Connelly, Jr. Shad & Melissa Ketcher Kathleen & Noel F. Pilie, DDS Scott & Stacy Stephens Howard Wolfe Edwin & Andrea Cooper James H. & Karen Killen Mark & Rebecca Pine Family Myron & Katherine Stevens Martin Frank Wood Peter H. & Marilyn Coors John & Wendy Killen John & Donna Pittenger Ron & Peg Stromstad Wickham & Hollis Corwin James & Marietta King Terry L. Randall Don W. Sturhahn Family David P. Crosby Lee & Bonnie Kjos Dan & Linda Ray Jeff Stutzman

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