Directors' Message

Spring has arrived on the Great Plains and with it, the promise of a new waterfowl breeding season and new opportunities. As we enter the fifth and last year of DU’s national and regional business plans, we have a lot to be proud of. Grassroots fundraising has grown impressively over the past four years with the dedication and innovation of our volunteers and staff. Major gift fundraising has been more challenging due staff turnover and the lull between campaigns.

Through increased leveraging, conservation staff put acres on the ground at a rate twice as great as the goal. The value of cash and land in the revolving land fund almost doubled and we protected more at-risk habitat from being converted to other uses. With the apparent leveling of land prices across the Great Plains, we hope our funds will go further in protecting more of the best remaining habitat for breeding and migrating waterfowl.

We saw great public policy success this past year. The new Farm Bill contained disincentives for draining wetlands and plowing grasslands through the conservation compliance provisions. The cost of the Federal Duck Stamp was increased from $15 to $25, which will bring more funds to the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) for landowners who want to sell permanent easements to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). States established dedicated conservation funds in Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, and we will help them grow and become more effective.

Change is constant and one of the great strengths of DU is our ability to navigate through and innovate in times of change. Snowfall was below normal in the Dakotas this past winter. While the birds will find good carry-over water, the shallower, seasonal wetlands will be fewer, which may impact species like pintails and blue-winged teal. While drier conditions could result in fewer breeding ducks, wetlands become more productive after a period of drying and vegetation regrowth.

Urbanization continues and brings challenges to keep people connected to the land and to hunting and conservation. We need to continue to support efforts to get people outdoors, as well as market our work to urbanites that care about the role wetlands play in providing clean water and floodwater storage. We also expect increasing competition for limited water in the west and will work to find solutions for multiple stakeholders.

While our efforts will continue to grow funding for voluntary, incentive-based programs, we must remain diligent against efforts that would promote large-scale drainage of the PPR. The diversity and abundance of prairie potholes are the habitat base that fills the skies with waterfowl. Without them, we cannot realize our vision.

With the public announcement of DU’s new campaign, Rescue Our Wetlands, at the national convention in Milwaukee, we have the opportunity to garner the resources and build the partnerships that will allow DU to rise to the challenges. We all have a role in this new campaign, whether it’s helping to grow an event, recruit a new donor or deliver a project more effectively. We look forward to working with all of you to make Rescue Our Wetlands a resounding success!

- Matt Fenoff, Managing Director of Development
- Greg Dinkel, Director of Fundraising and Volunteer Relations
- Steve Adair, Director of Conservation Operations

DU restoring 680-acre Platte River property with project dedicated to Nebraska-native conservationist

As part of its Hartland Heritage and Habitat initiative, Ducks Unlimited purchased a 680-acre property along the North Platte River near Bridgeport, Nebraska from the Jim Anest family. Acquiring the property took several years of fundraising. DU will eventually transfer it to the Platte River Basin Environments (PRBE) for long-term ownership and management. The property contains many shallow wetlands that provide ideal migration and breeding habitat for waterfowl. The property is open to a variety of public activities, including hunting.

In celebration of their gifts to DU, the property was dedicated as the “The Douglas and Allison Frey Wetlands” project. DU’s Nebraska Manager of Conservation Programs, John Denton, says the project would not have been completed without the generous support of The Douglas and Allison Frey Foundation, as well as other major sponsors, and the cooperation and conservation goals of the Anest Family.

Doug Frey, who grew up in Grand Island and now lives in Texas, is a new member of DU’s Wetlands America Trust (WAT) board, DU’s land trust and foundation arm. The WAT board also includes another prominent Nebraskan, Bruce Lauritzen, who is chairman of First National Bank and one of Omaha’s leading philanthropists.

Frey has watched the public’s understanding grow about the continental significance of the Platte River to migrating waterfowl. “When I was a child, a few locals would drive out and watch the cranes. Now people come from all over the world for the experience,” he said.

6th Annual Platte River Experience a huge success

For the sixth year in a row, a large group of Ducks Unlimited volunteers, major sponsors and board members gathered in western Nebraska on the North Platte River to enjoy waterfowl hunting, great camaraderie and to celebrate a successful, important conservation program. An idea first conceived by DU Regional Vice-President Clay Rogers, the event has helped raise millions of dollars to support DU’s conservation program, not only in Nebraska, but also in many of DU’s priority landscapes.

The Platte River Basin Environments (PRBE) is a local non-profit conservation group that collaborates frequently with DU to conserve important waterfowl habitats in the region. “We could not pull off this wonderful, successful event without the help of PRBE and our other local hosts,” said John Denton, DU manager of conservation programs in Nebraska.

The event combines fun activities, including hunting, with an opportunity to learn about DU’s important conservation work along the North Platte River and the role migration habitat plays in the life cycle of North America’s waterfowl populations. Former Senior Director of Development Sean Stone brought many DU major sponsors from Texas to the North Platte River for the opportunity to chase large Canada geese and mallards. Guests came from other states as well, including Wisconsin, Colorado and Kentucky.

Cold weather and two feet of snow in Scottsbluff created some unexpected logistical challenges. However, DU’s local hosts came through, as usual, and provided exceptional hunting opportunities.

McLean Bottoms

Ducks Unlimited completed construction on an improved shooting range at MacLean Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (WMA) south of Bismarck, N.D. In partnership with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF), DU engineers surveyed, designed and managed construction of the shooting range in accordance with National Rifle Association guidelines.

“This is an unconventional project for DU. We have skilled engineers and were looking to expand our services to one of our long time partners beyond creating waterfowl habitat,” said Roger Smith, DU director of engineering. “NDGF needed engineering services for this project and we had the resources to help.”
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North Dakota Outdoors Day

In February, Ducks Unlimited partnered with several groups to host the first North Dakota Outdoors Day at the capitol building in Bismarck to highlight the economic importance and raise awareness about North Dakota’s natural spaces. Twenty-six groups participated including counties, cities, park boards, conservation organizations and sportsmen’s groups. The groups showcased their work on outdoor conservation and recreation projects across the state.

Two gubernatorial appointed Outdoor Heritage Fund Board members, outdoor writer Pat Stockdill and DU supporter Dr. Tom Hutchens spoke about their experiences and why they want to see North Dakota invest in its outdoors. Citizens who attended the event interacted with their elected officials and encouraged them to make greater investments in North Dakota’s outdoors. Legislators were also exposed to the multitude of outdoor interests as the tables were positioned in the Legislative Hall between the Senate and House chambers.

“We hope to grow this event in future years to highlight the things North Dakotans care about. Hunting, fishing, and spending time outside are part of who we are and it’s important we continue to invest in these treasured assets, ” said Eric Lindstrom, DU government affairs representative.

In-lieu fee mitigation program growing

Ducks Unlimited is growing its in-lieu fee mitigation program in the Great Plains. In this program, parties required to provide mitigation can purchase credits from DU, and DU assumes responsibility for delivering a compensatory mitigation project. DU provides wetland mitigation credits to fulfill regulatory requirements while funds collected are used to implement high-quality wetland projects, which complement ongoing conservation programs. Restoration projects are chosen to maximize benefits for priority habitats in the Great Plains.

The Great Plains mitigation team is working on a restoration design for the recently purchased Wahlund conservation easement in Foster County North Dakota. This will offer credits to organizations needing mitigation in the Missouri River Southern Zone watershed. DU is also surveying several potential land acquisitions for the North Dakota program and working on in-lieu fee and umbrella banking agreements in South Dakota. The South Dakota in-lieu fee program will operate similarly to the North Dakota program, although it will be limited to the eastern half of the state. The umbrella banking agreement will set the guidelines for establishing mitigation banks in South Dakota. With this pre-approval, DU can minimize review time needed for potential mitigation banks in the state.

With DU delivering wetland restoration for mitigation, it allows public and private developers to realize economic advantages over implementing their own mitigation projects. These advantages include reduced permitting time, lower costs and transfer of all mitigation obligations. DU receives an administrative fee to manage the program and will be responsible for project delivery and long-term management.

DU pledges 5-year commitment to South Dakota

Ducks Unlimited is pledging to spend $1.8 million dollars on conservation programs in South Dakota in each of the next five years. DU is promising its continued investment in protecting and restoring the best-of-the-best waterfowl habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region of South Dakota.

The recent announcement came in support of South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s work to develop a conservation fund.

“We believe Gov. Daugaard shows great leadership in his proposal to dedicate $1.5 million for conservation. We support his plan to create a fund that will help improve pheasant numbers while also providing habitat for waterfowl,” said Jeff Heidelbauer, DU regional vice president and member of the national board of directors.

DU made the announcement at a news conference held in conjunction with DU’s South Dakota state convention. Nathan Sanderson, director of policy and operations for the governor’s office, also spoke to the group about the governor’s commitment to conservation.

“In South Dakota, hunting and enjoying the outdoors is not just a pastime, it’s part of our identity,” Sanderson said. “Gov. Daugaard understands that adequate habitat is essential to maintaining our wildlife populations, so we can preserve this true South Dakota tradition for generations to come.”
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DU moose license auction brings in record amount

A rare Shiras moose hunting license brought in a record $60,000 at a Ducks Unlimited auction by the Helena DU chapter during its annual dinner. Past moose licenses sold at auction for $15,000 to $20,000. Proceeds from the license sale will go to the moose conservation initiatives of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“We are blown away by the success of this auction for Montana habitat work. It was basically over in three minutes,” said Steve Christian, an organizer of the event and member of Montana DU state councils. “Our thanks go out to the people who participated in this auction and to our buyer, who is making a major contribution to Montana wildlife.”

DU won the right to auction off the license from MFWP. The license is good for the 2015 season anywhere in the state where people can legally hunt moose.

The auction was a good draw for the DU banquet. “We hosted the auction in hopes of increasing attendance at our banquet and help us raise more money for DU’s conservation programs in Montana,” Christian said. “This auction was a great experience, and we hope we get the chance to do this again.”
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Tom Peterson joins Ducks Unlimited in Nebraska Tom Peterson is Ducks Unlimited’s new biologist in the Grand Island, Nebraska office, focusing on habitat along the Platte River. Peterson provides biological input on habitat restoration and enhancement projects on public and private lands. He also assists landowners with implementing a variety of conservation programs on their properties.

A Minnesota native, Peterson grew up hunting with his dad, developing a passion for hunting and wildlife ecology. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a double major in Biology and Wildlife Management and Ecology. Peterson received a master’s degree from Mississippi State University in Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. He has worked on research projects across the United States, including waterfowl use of Delta National Forest in Mississippi and white-fronted geese on the North Slope in Alaska.

Jason Roudebush is a new Colorado-based water resource specialist for Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited has hired a new water resource specialist for its Great Plains Ecosystems Services team. Jason Roudebush will be stationed in DU’s Fort Collins office and will work on water projects throughout the Great Plains Region. Jason earned his master’s degree in Watershed Science at Colorado State University, where his thesis focused on stream accretions from recharge, a centerpiece of DU's Colorado water program. Jason possesses exceptional technical skills in water quantity and quality analysis, and he has consulted on water development projects around the western United States.

Michael Findlay Government Affairs Representative in the GPR
Michael Findlay is joining Great Plains Regional Office this month as the new Government Affairs Representative. Michael is relocating from Washington, D.C. to Bismarck, N.D. His experience in policy and governmental affairs will make him a great addition to the policy team.

Michael is a Colorado native and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in business administration from the University of Denver. Michael has worked on numerous political campaigns across the country including competitive Senate, Gubernatorial and issue based contests. He has developed integrated governmental affairs and issue advocacy strategies for some of the world’s largest non-profit organizations, companies and trade associations. Most recently he was the Chief of Staff for Americans for Prosperity in Washington, D.C. where he led their issue advocacy, accountability, and governmental affairs efforts in over 33 states.

Events

• Earth Day celebration – April 23, McCabe Methodist, Bismarck, North Dakota
• Ducks University – May 14-16, Bismarck, North Dakota
• Prairie Experience – June 4-6, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan

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

Great Plains Regional Office
2525 River Road
Bismarck, ND 58503
701.355.3500

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