Canada – the entity that would deliver the wetland restoration projects – was incorporated shortly thereafter in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 10.
Cutoff Creek construction
Photos courtesy of Ducks Unlimited
Frog Bayou
Dominion officials. Restoration of southern areas would be accomplished by selection and development of local projects after careful choice of the most suitable sites. Funds with which to support the work are to be obtained entirely through contributions from sportsmen in the United States — those who are the beneficiaries of the wild duck crops produced in Canada. “Ducks Unlimited” will be the name of the new Canadian foundation. A year after outlining their plan, their dream became a reality. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. – the U.S.-based entity that would gather and disperse funds – was incorporated Jan. 29, 1937, in Washington, D.C. Ducks Unlimited
10-year-old Arkansas Volunteer Makes a Difference for Ducks, for People
l-r Ark. State Chairman Allen Higginbotham, Dillon Boyd and Gary Boyd proudly display money Dillon raised for the ducks. 42 | Arkansas Wild Summer 2012
To raise funds for its conservation work, DU immediately began organizing a volunteer committee in each state under the guidance of a competent state chairman and assisted by one or more vice chairmen and other officers. Each state committee had a financial target to meet to support conservation on breeding grounds most important to their state. Though many things have changed in the past 75 years, neither the singular mission of DU – habitats sufficient to support desired waterfowl populations – nor this basic, volunteer-driven fundraising structure have wavered. Today in Arkansas, 68 volunteer committees and more than 19,000 members participate in fundraising events across the state. DU’s founders would be proud of what the organization has accomplished for waterfowl. Supported by generations of dedicated volunteers, DU has raised more than $3.3 billion to conserve more than 12.4 million acres of wetlands and other waterfowl habitat across North America. Since implementing conservation programs in Arkansas in 1987, DU has spent more than $46 million working with partners to conserve more than 360,000 acres in the Natural State, including recent
Fourth-generation DU volunteer Dillon Boyd is continuing the passionate commitment exemplified by his grandfather, Arkansas 2011 Area Chairman of the Year Gary Boyd. Emulating his father’s and grandfather’s dedication to the ducks, 10-year-old Dillon took it upon himself to make woven bracelets to be sold as chances to win a gun. Dillon hand crafts each bracelet and raised $3,000 for conservation at the Dewitt dinner this year. Dillon also attended the Arkansas State Convention in February where he sold his bracelets to make more money for the ducks. But one bracelet Dillon wanted to use for a different cause. He approached outgoing State Chairman Allen Higginbotham with a request to auction off one bracelet to raise money for his young friend fighting ovarian cancer. Her medical bills are mounting beyond the family’s means.
restoration projects on Bayou Meto and Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Areas and Cache River National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has contributed more than $4 million to protect and restore important breeding habitats in Saskatchewan through the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ State Grants Program. DU and DU Canada match every dollar from the AGFC, and then further leverage these funds to ensure breeding habitats sufficient to fill Arkansas’s skies with waterfowl forever. DU was born in the Dust Bowl era, a time when waterfowl greatly needed our help, and the country was dealing with catastrophic economic upheaval. With 75 years of experience delivering conservation, DU is well-positioned to build on our legacy and achieve our vision of full skies. However, our work is far from complete. In the face of uncertain funding for conservation programs, decreases in southern irrigated agriculture, unknown effects of climate change, continued wetland losses across the country and increased grassland conversion on the breeding grounds, waterfowl need us even more today. With the continued dedication and support of passionate volunteers, members and staff, DU will continue to deliver conservation for generations – waterfowl need it, the situation demands it and our children deserve it. Join us: www.ducks.org
“After all that young man has done on his own initiative for the ducks, and with such a noble cause, it was easy for me to agree,” Higginbotham said. He stood Dillon beside him, explained to the crowd of DU volunteers and supporters what this special bracelet was for, and began the bidding. “When we got to $1,200, I got choked up,” Higginbotham said. There weren’t a lot of dry eyes in the place by the time the final bid of $1,600 was cast. “The whole story, from Dillon’s initiative for the ducks and compassion for his friend to the generosity exhibited by all those supporting his endeavor, just displays the true passion and strength of our DU family. There’s tremendous heart in Ducks Unlimited Volunteers, and this is one shining example of it,” Higginbotham said.