$4.06 Billion

20M+

acres conserved

1M+

acres of conservation 3 years in a row

26

trillion
gallons

of water conserved since 1937

2M+

campaign contributors

These landmark milestones stand as a testament to the dedication of DU's volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters who made this vision a reality.

Read the Press Release

What is Conservation for a Continent?

Launched at DU’s 86th Annual National Convention in Las Vegas, “Conservation for a Continent” set an audacious goal of raising $3 billion, a target that supporters ultimately surpassed. Building on the foundation of 16 million acres conserved by DU and its partners at the time of the campaign’s launch, the effort ultimately helped conserve 20 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat, expanding DU’s conservation legacy to an extraordinary scale.

What our volunteers have accomplished is nothing short of remarkable. In a time when our nation's wetlands and grasslands face enormous pressure, our donors and supporters stepped forward with generosity and conviction. Because of them, millions of acres will continue to filter our water, protect our communities and provide habitats for hundreds of species, including the waterfowl that are central to our hunting traditions and heritage.

Adam Putnam, DU CEO

A photo of a flock of ducks taking off from a barren tree at sunset

A photo of two wood ducks floating in a body of water

This campaign is the culmination of thousands of acts of generosity, passion, and commitment to something larger than ourselves. Every dollar raised, and every acre conserved is a direct reflection of what our supporters believe: that wetlands are worth fighting for, and that together, we can protect them for generations to come.

Mike Benge, Campaign Chair

This is one of the single greatest fundraising achievements in the history of landscape conservation. To set a goal that was already the most ambitious our organization had ever attempted, and then blow past our goal, speaks volumes to the passion and commitment of our supporters who recognize the urgency to protect these vital landscapes.

Bob Spoerl, Board Chairman

Conservation For a Continent is built on five priorities:

Breeding Landscape Conservation

Donor support will help protect and restore crucial breeding habitat across the continent, from prairie potholes to the boreal forest; and fund conservation advocacy, scientific research, sustainability and biodiversity efforts.

Migration and Wintering Landscape Conservation

Investment in these essential landscapes means protecting and restoring wintering and staging habitats to ensure healthy waterfowl return to the breeding grounds. These habitats also provide flood protection and buffering against coastal storms and sea-level rise.

Conservation Research and Education

Ducks Unlimited relies on science to guide our conservation on landscapes most important to wildlife, people and communities. Donor support will fund ongoing scientific research, support DU’s advocacy work around policies and regulations, and help educate and engage tomorrow’s conservationists.

Wetlands Forever

One of DU’s strategic goals is to grow the scale, accelerate the pace, and strengthen the impact of wetlands and waterfowl habitat delivery. Donor support will fund programs to encourage volunteerism and fund mission-focused projects and initiatives where the need is greatest.

Conservation Legacy

The migratory patterns of waterfowl and the creation of mighty wetland habitats have developed over long periods of time. Similarly, Ducks Unlimited has built a robust conservation program thanks to long periods of support from donors who leave a legacy through gift/estate planning and endowments.

Special Recognition Partners

The corporate partners listed have contributed +$500K to Conservation for a Continent since the campaign launch

Since 1937, Duck Unlimited, Inc. and Ducks Unlimited Canada conservation efforts have contributed to the following ecosystem services outcomes:

Nitrogen Reduction

3,603,145,866

pounds of nitrogen kept out of waterways = fertilize 24 million acres of corn for one year

Phosphorus Reduction

272,336,435

pounds of phosphorus kept out of waterways = fertilize 4.7 million acres of soybeans for one year

Carbon Sequestration

192,346,706

metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) = emissions from 44,836,062 US passenger vehicles for one year

Emissions Avoided

445,164,615

metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) = emissions from 103,767,975 US passenger vehicles for one year

Water Storage

81,411,988

acre-feet = 26 trillion gallons of water OR one year of use by 242 million American households

See our work

Ducks Unlimited works in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico to restore wetlands habitats.

Learn how your support helps on-the-ground conservation efforts.

Learn More

Support the Mission

Your support of Conservation For A Continent will help hundreds of species of wildlife and millions of people who rely on healthy wetlands.

Support Now