Abbeville, LA -(Ammoland.com)- The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) was updated on 50 years of progress made through its partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada during the Commission’s Dec. 4 meeting.
DU Canada’s Manager of State Partnerships Dave Kostersky presented information on the waterfowl connection between the Canadian prairies and the numbers of ducks seen in Louisiana at the end of the Mississippi flyway. Kostersky additionally thanked the Commission and the Department for the support provided.
The partnership formed in 1964 when the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) agreed to begin funding acquisition and preservation of prime Canadian breeding grounds for a variety of duck species. Since 1965, LDWF has contributed $10.5 million in support of Canadian breeding habitat. Through matching funds provided by Ducks Unlimited in the United States and Canada, the North American Wetland Conservation Act, and other partners in support of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, that funding has generated over $40 million for breeding grounds preservation and development.
The conservation needs addressed with funding utilized by DU Canada include the continued loss of and degradation of wetlands which reduces the carrying capacity for breeding pairs and brood rearing, as well as the loss of grasslands vital for nesting habitat. The changing agricultural landscape, driven by high commodity prices and associated reduction in cattle ranching in Canada are currently threats on breeding ground habitat.
About Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited, a world leader in wetland and waterfowl conservation, guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.For more information, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with DU on Facebook at facebook.com/ducksunlimited, and watch DU videos at youtube.com/ducksunlimitedinc.
About The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC)
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.