Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) is a non-profit conservation organization that conserves and restores North American waterfowl and wetland habitat.  With over 1 million supporters, DU works in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people.  These habitats also replenish groundwater supplies, filter sediments and nutrients from water, and increase flood storage. Furthermore, wetlands are one of nature’s most productive ecosystems providing for the life cycle needs of 900+ species of wildlife, including many that are at risk.  DU is committed to science-based, collaborative, and solution-oriented conservation, and works cooperatively with agricultural producers across all wetland geographies.

“Water is our greatest natural resource,” says DU CEO Dale Hall. “Unfortunately, it is often the one most taken for granted.  Recognizing the importance of water to all of us is a critical first step in guaranteeing sufficient water quality and quantity around the world.”

Freshwater supplies are already a limited resource in some places, and as the world population grows from the current 7 billion to a projected 9 billion by 2050, water resources will be further strained. Conservation and restoration of wetland habitats will continue to be keys to ensuring a
sufficient and usable water supply for future generations of people, as well as wildlife.

A main strategy for growing the world’s food while ensuring protection of water resources is proper application of crop nutrients or fertilizers in agriculture.  Applying the 4R’s in crop nutrient management assures Right source, Right rate, Right time, and Right place of nutrient applications.  This principal is first and foremost in nutrient management practices supported by agriculture and conservation efforts.  Wetlands too play a significant role in purifying water by trapping sediments and sequestering nitrogen and phosphorus.

Therefore, DU works with agricultural producers to implement in-field solutions – both managerial and structural – that improve water quality by optimizing fertilizer use, minimizing sediment and nutrient losses, and restoring and maintaining wetlands which act as a sponge across the landscape. This in-field management of nutrients – plus wetland management – is 4R and wetland conservation in philosophy and practice.

Our most relevant and wide-spread services are as Farm Bill biologists, working side-by-side with producers and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, to deliver conservation planning, and implementation of practices including nutrient management and the 4R’s.  Our top priority geographies include the Northern Great Plains, Mississippi River Valley, Gulf Coast, and California’s Central Valley.