Seattle remains top conservation fundraising chapter in nation; not one, not two, not three, but four years in a row

SEATTLE – March 4, 2010 – The President's Top 100 are among Ducks Unlimited's elite chapters in the nation. Every year, the list is reserved for the 100 chapters that raise the most grassroots dollars for DU's habitat conservation work. The Seattle DU Chapter tops that list for the fourth year in a row, raising over $200,000 for wetlands and associated habitat conservation.

"These fundraising events are the backbone of how DU conserves habitat, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the on-the-ground conservationists making a difference for North American waterfowl populations," said John Pope, president of DU. "The Seattle Chapter has continued to succeed and reign as the top DU chapter in the country, and that takes a lot of effort from dedicated volunteers. Congratulations to everyone involved."

The Seattle Chapter earned the top spot on the President's Top 100 out of more than 3,500 DU chapters nationwide. DU's grassroots system has become a model for other conservation organizations worldwide and has funded a portion of the more than 12 million acres DU has conserved since 1937.

"The fundraising efforts of chapters like Seattle are making a significant difference in habitat for waterfowl, other wildlife and people," said Pope. "It's obvious conservation is a big part of the community. I would like to give special thanks to Greg James and Shaun Murphy for leading the Seattle DU Chapter, and everyone involved with this chapter deserves special recognition for their efforts."

Ducks Unlimited is a unique organization because it relies on the generosity and passion of its volunteers to accomplish its goals. Striving for success, the Top 100 chapter volunteers, like all DU volunteers, never fail to answer the call.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

Chris Jennings
cjennings@ducks.org
901.758.3732