March, 9, 2026 — This week, more than 120 Ducks Unlimited (DU) volunteers, including state chairs, state policy chairs, senior leaders, college students, and staff, gathered in the nation’s capital to meet with Members of Congress and advocate for policies that support wetland habitat, farmers and ranchers, and America’s rural communities.
“It never gets old coming to our nation’s capital alongside dedicated DU volunteers to advocate for policies that support wetlands conservation,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “This year is one of our best-attended yet – a testament to the strong enthusiasm for DU’s mission and our ability to impact public policy. These volunteers aren’t here for their industry, they’re here for their passion for wetlands and waterfowl, and that resonates with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”
Meetings focused on the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), the Farm Bill conservation title, conservation easements, and other regional initiatives and programs nationwide.
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. For every dollar the federal government spends, on average, it receives a $3 match from program partners like Ducks Unlimited. NAWCA grants totaling over $2 billion over the last 33 years have leveraged almost $5.6 billion in contributions from partners.
Among the volunteers were 25 college students representing 22 different universities across the U.S.
“For several years, DU has brought college students from across the country to participate in the legislative process and advocate for issues they’re passionate about – the Ducks,” said Mike McShane, DU Senior Vice President for Public Policy. “They’re the next generation of volunteer advocates, and we are thrilled to witness their excitement for conservation policy grow in just a few short days. It’s a rewarding experience, and their presence makes a real impact.”
Visit the DU Media Toolkit page for essential resources to help explain and promote Ducks Unlimited’s conservation mission.
For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to follow DU’s Twitter feeds – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 19 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
