Founded by concerned waterfowlers in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has taken a continental, landscape approach to wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Guided by sound science and supported by legions of dedicated volunteers and members, DU has conserved more than 12 million acres of waterfowl habitat across North America.
DU's mission is to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. The majority of the remaining wetlands in the United States are on private land, where a large majority of all waterfowl are raised. To further our mission, DU supports balanced agricultural policy that can help American farmers and ranchers to be more competitive and successful in fulfilling local, national, and global needs for food, fiber, and energy. In addition, DU supports agricultural policy that conserves soil, water, wetlands, grasslands, and forests upon which both people and wildlife depend. The Farm Bill is the most effective tool for conserving wildlife habitat on private land, and it's DU's objective that both waterfowl and their habitats benefit from this policy.
The next Farm Bill is scheduled to be reauthorized in 2012. DU has a long history of working with ranchers, farmers, and other private landowners across the country to enhance and restore millions of acres of critical waterfowl and other wildlife habitat. The agricultural conservation programs that are authorized and funded through the Farm Bill are the backbone of DU's cooperative conservation work with our partners in agriculture. Thus, it's critical that programs like the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve Program are adequately funded to sustain our traditions of waterfowl conservation and waterfowl hunting.
Featured: Farm Bill, Ducks, and You
DU members must act now to save agricultural conservation programs that help sustain waterfowl populations
The 2012 Farm Bill is scheduled to be reauthorized next year, and depending on the outcome, this single piece of legislation will either positively or negatively impact millions of acres of wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitat across the United States. The scope of this legislation is enormous. The Farm Bill is responsible for ensuring that our nation's food supply is safe and plentiful. It also provides funding for agricultural conservation programs, including, but not limited to, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Read more from DU Magazine »
Learn about Farm Bill programs
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