Ducks Unlimited - Introduction

Introduction

Ducks Unlimited was incorporated by Joseph Knapp, E. H. Low and Robert Winthrop on January 29, 1937, in Washington, DC, United States as a result of both theirs and other like-minded influential sportsmen's concern about the loss of wetlands as habitat for waterfowl and the impact this would have on waterfowl hunting.

Ducks Unlimited Canada was then incorporated in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on March 10, 1937. Other chapters have since begun operation in Latin America, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia.

DU has become a leader in waterfowl habitat conservation and has conserved more than 12.4 million acres (46,900 km²) of waterfowl habitat in North America. DU partners with a wide range of corporations, governments, other non-governmental organizations, landowners, and private citizens to restore and manage areas that have been degraded and to prevent further degradation of existing wetlands. DU is also active in working with others to recommend government policies that will positively influence wetlands and the environment. DU generates $200M in revenues each year, of which a minimum of 80 percent goes directly towards habitat conservation. Their sources of revenue include Federal and State habitat reimbursements (37%), conservation easements (13%), sponsors and members (24%), major gifts and donations (21%) and royalties/advertisement (5%). Through its conservation activities, DU benefits biodiversity, water quality, the environment, and the economy in the areas in which it is active.

Ducks Unlimited, in keeping with its founders' intentions, also promotes the continuation of safe and regulated waterfowl hunting. The majority of DU's financial contributors and members are waterfowl hunters, and over 90% of those who read DU's magazine are hunters. The DU magazine contains many historical and practical articles on waterfowl hunting, and it obtains revenue from advertisements of waterfowling equipment such as shotguns, ammunition, decoys, and bird calls.