D E L I V E R I N G C O N T I N E N T A L C O N S E R V A T I O N D E L I V E R I N G C O N T I N E N T A L C O N S E R V A T I O N for To m o r row Edited by Leia Syvertson Berry

DU Salutes Vision and Generosity of Major Sponsors

ucks Unlimited is guided by one clear vision: filling the for all of DU’s conservation work, and with a recent gift fro m Dskies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever. the Wa t e rfowl Research Foundation, the perils facing sea During the past 73 years, thanks to supporters like those ducks will be better understood. DU is effective because of its highlighted on the following pages, DU continues to make s u p p o rte rs, from those who attend banquets and sign up to significant progress toward fulfilling this vision. become Feather Society members to those who serve as Major Sponsors like the Walton Family Foundation continue volunteer leaders on a national board. It’s this rich diversity to make a diff e rence by pledging their ongoing support for of donors that fuels DU’s eff o rts and will help us achieve our D U ’s conservation work on high-priority w a t e rfo wl land- ultimate, shared goal—abundant waterfowl today, tomorro w, scapes across the continent. Science pro v i d e s the foundation and fore v e r.

The Endowment Initiative: Giving a Gift that Gives Forever

ne of the best ways to ensure that sustained base of support essential to the and Sally M. Futch Charitable Foundation; ODucks Unlimited’s work continues in success of DU’s conservation mission. the Clyde R. Potter, M.D. Charitable your lifetime and beyond is to give to the Gifts to the endowment never go away; Foundation; and the Charles B. and DU endowment. As one of nine initiatives they just keep giving year after year. Lois B. Macauley Trust. included in the $1.7 billion Wetlands for S u p p o rters like Neil are truly leaving a legacy While Ducks Unlimited welcomes out- To m o rrow campaign, the Endowment of conservation to future generations. right gifts to the endowment, most gifts Initiative may be one of the most import a n t Ducks Unlimited gratefully recognizes come from members and support e r s avenues for ensuring that DU is able to gifts to the Endowment Initiative from who have generously included DU in re s t o re and conserve ’s wet- the estates of Dwight Rodes their estate plans. Jon Rich, national land re s o u rces for future generations of Chamberlain, William and Maire Cheney, d i rector of gift planning, can assist you w a t e rfowl hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Leo E. Corr, Samuel C. DeLulio, Mark C. in leaving your ultimate legacy for One such gift recently came from the Leachman Sr., Linda Lunning, Charles c o n s e rvation. Call Rich at 901-758-3763 estate of C.A. “Neil” Craig II of Nashville, and Rosemary Meyer, Norman Paus, M. or 1-800-453-8257 or e-mail him at . Neil was a DU member for M. “Bud” Peterson, Bernal R. Phipps, j r i c h @ d u c k s . o r g to learn more . m o re than 40 years and a committed James “Jim” D. Range, Robert Michael volunteer for over two decades. During his Reese, Catherine G. “Sis” Reilly, Gordon lifetime, Neil was an active outdoorsman, Thomas Runciman, Howard T. Slaght, businessman, and philanthropist. He Michael Sparks, Charles T. Stone Jr., enjoyed , fishing, and training hunt- Eleanor Mae Stuard, and Cye G. ing dogs. Neil’s final gift of $100,000 will Vaughan. DU is also pleased to recognize be invested in the endowment to ensure a endowment gifts from the Dr. Edward D.

M a r ch/April 2010 D U C K S U N L I M I T E D 25 Wetlands for To m o r row D E L I V E R I N G C O N T I N E N T A L C O N S E R V A T I O N The Waterfowl Research Foundation Partners with DU to Study Sea Ducks

he Waterfowl Research Foundation of New York, New York, suggest that sea ducks are in trouble—some in severe trouble,” Trecently awarded Ducks Unlimited a generous grant of said DU Chief Biologist Dale Humburg. “Declines in populations $100,000 to support the Atlantic Sea Duck Project. This funding are evident in 10 of 15 sea duck species with three species list- will assist with the purchase of 34 satellite transmitters that will ed as threatened or endangered. The threats to sea ducks are be surgically implanted in white-winged scoters, black scoters, numerous and include loss of wintering and breeding habitat, oil and long-tailed ducks. The ducks will be tracked over many years spills, energy development, contaminants in the environment, to gather data on populations, migration routes, breeding and and urban development.” wintering habitats, and how long and where the ducks stay in The information collected through this research will inform breeding and wintering locations. The transmitters will be DU’s conservation efforts and put us in a position to protect the attached on birds this spring. habitat needed to provide a secure future for sea ducks. “The 15 species of waterfowl known as sea ducks constitute Through a 35-year partnership, the trustees of the Waterfowl 42 percent of the duck species breeding in North America, yet Research Foundation have demonstrated their understanding this group, which includes mergansers, is among the least and commitment to the strong research-driven, science-based understood by managers. Past research and limited survey data conservation programs of Ducks Unlimited.

F o u n d a t i o n ’s support is helping to change Walton Family Foundation Support s these statistics by partnering with Ducks Unlimited to re s t o re, protect, and conserv e High-Priority Conservation Work these fragile ecosystems. ucks Unlimited is pleased to part n e r to inform them about programs that foster DU scientists have identified over 2 million Dwith the Walton Family Foundation of re f o restation of these habitats. a c res of flooded bottomland hardwood fore s t Bentonville, Arkansas, to protect the The Mississippi River and its tributaries and wetlands in Mississippi and Louisiana Mississippi River and its watershed in the comprise the third largest in that need to be protected in perpetuity. The Mississippi Alluvial Valley—one of DU’s the world, encompassing more than 33 sheer size of this landscape means DU can- highest priority landscapes. This $188,075 p e rcent of the United States. The river is not accomplish this task alone. It is part n e r - grant will allow DU to continue conserv a - the primary source of drinking water for at ships with landowners, other org a n i z a t i o n s , tion eff o r ts protecting frequently flooded least 41 percent of the continental United and foundations like the Walton Family bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands States. Additionally, the river provides a host Foundation that make conserving healthy while also working closely with landowners of other ecological goods and serv i c e s , habitat in key areas like the Mississippi including habitat for fish and wildlife that Alluvial Valley a re a l i t y. add to the quality of life of people living and T h r ough this gift, the Walton Family re c reating in the Mississippi Alluvial Va l l e y. Foundation is joining Ducks Unlimited to S a d l y, 75 percent of this re g i o n ’s once abun- help secure these important habitats in dant forest and associated wetlands have p e r p e t u i t y, investing in the waterfowl of been cleared and drained. In addition, N o rth America and continuing its philan- natural seasonal flooding has been re d u c e d t h r opic legacy of supporting communities in by 50-90 percent. The Walton Family the Delta. Thank you, Walton Foundation!

26 D U C K S U N L I M I T E D M a r ch/April 2010 D E L I V E R I N G C O N T I N E N T A L C O N S E R V A T I O N Wetlands for To m o r row Clean Energy Community Foundation Wetlands for Gift Protects Land in Illinois To m o rrow Contacts in Your State he Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, a Diamond Legacy Sponsor of Ducks TUnlimited, continues to make a significant commitment to waterfowl and wetlands or more information on becoming a Major c o n s e rvation through a leadership grant of $180,000. The grant will be used to acquire and FSponsor and supporting DU’s We t l a n d s p rotect 466 acres of wetlands, backwater lakes, and bottomland forest near the Sanganois for To m o rrow campaign, please contact the State Fish and Wildlife Area in central Illinois. With this grant, DU purchased 40 acres that d i rector of development for your state: will be transferred to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and protected another SOUTHERN REGION 426 acres with a perpetual . The wetlands and bottomland forest of FL, GA, NC, SC the Illinois River Valley are used by waterfowl and a host of other migratory birds. Some B rett Baker • (843) 377-0667 species, such as pro t h o n o t a r y warblers, rely on specific types of seasonal wetland habitat b b a k e r @ d u c k s . o rg and are of national conservation concern. KS, MO, OK The area surrounding Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area includes the larg e s t Johnny Belz • (601) 206-5432 remaining expanse of undisturbed wetland habitat in the Illinois River Va l l e y. Protecting this j b e l z @ d u c k s . o rg i m p o rtant habitat while it’s still in pristine condition is a priority for DU and the Illinois Clean AL, KY, TN E n e rgy Community Foundation. Chris Cole • (601) 206-5446 c c o l e @ d u c k s . o rg “The Foundation is proud to support the land protection eff o rts of Ducks Unlimited, AR, LA, MS Chad Manlove • (601) 206-5442 c m a n l o v e @ d u c k s . o rg A generous grant from the Illinois T X Clean Energy Community Foundation Sean Stone • (832) 465-7836 will help conserve 466 acres of s s t o n e @ d u c k s . o rg wetlands in the Illinois River Valley. G R E AT LAKES/ATLANTIC REGION IL, IN, MI, OH, WI Todd Bishop • (734) 623-2000 t b i s h o p @ d u c k s . o rg C T, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT Matt Fenoff • (518) 872-2002 m f e n o ff @ d u c k s . o rg DC, W. MD, VA, WV Chip Heaps • (410) 399-4093 c h e a p s @ d u c k s . o rg DE, E. MD, NJ, PA Phil Poux • (410) 224-6620 p p o u x @ d u c k s . o rg G R E AT PLAINS REGION M T, ND, SD, WY Dave Afton • (701) 355-3525 d a f t o n @ d u c k s . o rg CO, NM Kirk Davidson • (303) 927-1949 k d a v i d s o n @ d u c k s . o r g IA, MN, NE Adam DeHaan • (763) 688-0519 a d e h a a n @ d u c k s . o rg IA, MN, NE which it believes will help to ensure that the Sangamon/Illinois remains a viable Ron Stromstad • (952) 236-0638 natural system, capable of supporting a wide variety of wildlife,” said James Mann, execu- r s t ro m s t a d @ d u c k s . o rg tive director of the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. WESTERN REGION Established in 2001, this Chicago-based foundation invests in clean energy development AZ, CA, NV, UT and land pre s e rvation eff o rts, working with communities and organizations like Ducks Rebecca O’Connor • (916) 852-2000 ro c o n n o r @ d u c k s . o rg Unlimited to improve environmental quality in Illinois. Since 2003, together with other part n e r s , the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and Ducks Unlimited have permanently pro- AK, HI, ID, OR, WA Steve Schmitt • (360) 885-2011 tected 1,674 acres through land protection and acquisition eff o r t s . s s c h m i t t @ d u c k s . o rg

M a r ch/April 2010 D U C K S U N L I M I T E D 27 Wetlands for To m o r row D E L I V E R I N G C O N T I N E N T A L C O N S E R V A T I O N

Past Presidents’ Hunt Held in South Carolina

ast November, seven past presidents and Lc u rrent DU President John Pope gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, for their annual meeting. Over the weekend, these DU leaders enjoyed a day of dove hunting and attended the ACE Basin Celebration, commemorating the s t a rt of a movement that helped save over 200,000 acres of South Caro l i n a ’s Lowcountry f r om encroaching development. “This is the first conservation project in the United States that had the participation and s t rong support from private landowners and state and federal wildlife agencies as well as nonpro f i t c o n s e rvation groups,” said Michael McShane, c h a i rman of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Board. “By working together, i t ’s become a model conservation initiative acro s s the country. ”

Those in attendance at the Past Pre s i d e n t s ’ Hunt included (top, from left) Julius Wa l l , B ruce Lewis, Don Rollins, John Tomke, and John Pope; and (bottom, from left) Peter Coors, Hazard Campbell, and Gene Henry.

landowners and clubs to follow this path of C. Hager and Sons Protect Key p rotecting this landscape to ensure that f u t u r e generations throughout the Missouri Waterfowl Habitat Mississippi Flyway will be able to enjoy the ust outside the city of St. Louis, the area that is the Missouri Confluence. The spectacle of migrating waterfowl pro v i d e d JMississippi, Missouri, and Illinois family placed a DU conservation ease- by Confluence wetlands for years to come.” rivers come together to form a region ment on their property, Raccoon Ranch, known as the Confluence Floodplain. This granting permanent protection to wet- ( F rom left) Josh Hager, Ralph Hager, area annually provides vital habitat for lands and other wildlife habitat in an area Charlie Hager, Rusty Hager, Wa rre n millions of migrating waterfowl and has that is under siege from urban sprawl. H a g e r, and Johnston Hager were an extensive waterfowling tradition. The The voice of a true conserv a t i o n i s t , p resented with a bronze sculpture region is home to more than 100 estab- A rchie Hager says, “I encourage other honoring their family’s philanthro p y. lished duck clubs encompassing over 36,600 acres as well as several thousand additional acres of important working agricultural lands that provide critical waterfowl habitat. Ducks Unlimited is pleased to add the Hager Family to its list of partners work- ing to preserve the magnificent migration

28 D U C K S U N L I M I T E D M a r ch/April 2010