Ducks Unlimited: Conserving Wetlands and Protecting Waterfowl

Ducks Unlimited (DU) is a volunteer-driven, membership-based nonprofit founded in 1937 by Joseph P. Knapp, Robert Winthrop, and E.H. Low. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, DU operates with a single focus: raising funds for wetlands conservation and waterfowl protection across North America.

DU has conserved over 14 million acres and delivered more than 20,000 conservation projects since inception

The organization maintains an active presence in all 50 U.S. states, every Canadian province, and key areas of Mexico and Latin America. Their "continental landscape approach" targets regions most beneficial to waterfowl populations.

DU concentrates efforts on five key landscape regions: - Prairie Pothole Region - Western Boreal Forest (Canada) - Mississippi Alluvial Valley - Central Valley of Coastal California - Gulf Coastal Prairie

Since 1985, DU has conserved over 100,000 acres of waterfowl habitat throughout North Carolina. The state's position along the Atlantic Flyway makes it critical winter habitat—NC winters over 80% of the continental Tundra Swan population and provides essential space for Atlantic Brant, diving ducks, black ducks, and puddle ducks.

DU conducts "conservation initiatives" that connect interested groups, individuals, and resources to areas needing habitat support. Members fund on-the-ground projects that sustain and improve waterfowl futures.

Local leadership welcomes contact from hunters, conservationists, and interested community members. More information available at Ducks.Org.