WCC of Ducks look forward to banquet

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, October 26, 2005

The Wallowa County committee of Ducks Unlimited will hold its annual banquet at the Enterprise VFW Hall on Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

“The Ducks Unlimited success story,” said committee chairperson Kathie Baird.

“It is one that makes me proud to be a volunteer,” Baird said.

Local Ducks Unlimited fundraising events held throughout the country last year contributed towards Ducks Unlimited national fundraising effort of over 175 million during the year 2000 alone.

“But what’s even more important to realize,” said Baird, “is that this national fundraising total must increase this year if the North American waterfowl habitat race is to be won.”

Each year, the United States loses about 100,000 acres of wetland habitat.

Since its inception, Ducks Unlimited has raised over $1.5 billion and enhanced and restored over 10 million habitat acres, encompassing over 18,600 wetland projects in the U.S., in an effort to reverse this destructive trend.

DU’s projects provide habitat for over 9000 wildlife species including ducks, geese, fish and endangered species like the whooping crane and bald eagle.

While Ducks Unlimited has accomplished a great deal since its founding in 1937, the rapid draining of our wetlands demands that the organization continue to accelerate its work.

Efforts like those of the Wallowa County committee are a vital part of Ducks Unlimited.

For information on how to support Ducks Unlimited programs of wetland conservation, contact Irene Bates at 426-8733 for tickets and further details.