Announcing a Major Conservation Priority: Delta Waterfowl’s Great Lakes Initiative

By Justin Stakes

Bismarck, ND -(AmmoLand.com)- Recognizing the continental importance of the Great Lakes region for waterfowl and waterfowl hunters, Delta Waterfowl is expanding its reach with a major new conservation priority: Delta Waterfowl’s Great Lakes Initiative.

Dr. Scott Petrie, Delta’s chief executive officer, said Delta’s Great Lakes Initiative will focus on wetland conservation, research, education, duck production programs and hunting advocacy throughout the Great Lakes region to serve the needs of waterfowl and waterfowl hunters.

“The Great Lakes is critically important and unique because the region provides habitat for millions of waterfowl throughout the year — an estimated 7 million spring migrants, 12 million fall migrants and 1 million wintering waterfowl,” Petrie said. “It supports a large population of breeding waterfowl, and up to 80 percent of mallards taken by hunters there are hatched in the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most threatened habitats, with approximately 90 percent of the historic inland and coastal wetlands having been drained.”

Petrie detailed the first-year goals for Delta’s Great Lakes Initiative:

• Expand delivery of Delta’s duck production programs such as Hen Houses and wood duck nest boxes in the Great Lakes region.
• Increase youth hunter education …Read the Rest

  Source:: AmmoLand