DU leaders and volunteers converge on Washington for conservation policy advocacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 7, 2024 – This week, more than 80 Ducks Unlimited (DU) advocates, including state chairs, state policy chairs, senior volunteers and staff gathered in Washington to meet with members of Congress and advocate for legislation to protect and restore wetlands and migratory bird habitat.

Meetings primarily focused on reauthorizing the bipartisan America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, which affects many important wetland habitat and wildlife conservation programs, including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

“The presence of Ducks Unlimited volunteers from all across the country is unmistakable in Washington, D.C.,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “Our message resonates with congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle due to the tremendous impact conservation programs, like NAWCA and the Farm Bill, have on communities nationwide. An opportunity to deliver that message to legislators face-to-face is paramount to successful public policy efforts – and DU volunteers continue to be a leading force for conservation in our nation’s capital.”

NAWCA is a voluntary matching grant program that leverages non-federal and federal funds for wetlands restoration. Since its enactment in 1989, NAWCA has conserved more than 32 million acres and created an average of 7,500 new jobs annually. Every dollar the federal government spends, on average, receives a $3 match from program partners like Ducks Unlimited. NAWCA grants totaling over $2 billion have leveraged almost $5.6 billion in contributions from partners.