DU: 80 years of wetland protection, 35 years of local fundraising

By Charlotte Westing and Nick Docken For The Cordova Times

The Copper Delta Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is proud to report that nearly $17,000 was raised at this year’s DU banquet and auction.

How does DU help our community? DU has been directly involved in many of the measures to conserve Dusky Canada Geese, which rely almost exclusively on the Copper River Delta for nesting and brood-rearing habitat.

DU has projects throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. This work focuses on breeding, migrating and wintering areas important for waterfowl. This directly benefits the waterfowl population so important to the subsistence and sport hunters right here in our area. Regardless of Alaska’s large expanses of unspoiled habitat, if these birds have no place to go when they travel south, that presents a real problem. DU has been at the forefront of wetlands protection for more than 80 years.

Our local chapter has been actively fundraising for 35 years. Our success depends on a dedicated group of volunteers willing to work hard to pull off a worthwhile and fun event for the community. They pay for a banquet ticket like everyone else, but work tirelessly in the lead up to the event as well as on banquet night.

If you’re passionate about waterfowl and conservation, contact one of our committee members to talk about how you can contribute.

The 2017 committee members were Dave “Opey” O’Brien, Nancy O’Brien, Lance Westing, Ryan Torbett, Ardy Hanson, Da n Schmalzer, Clay Koplin, Charlotte Westing, Nathan Wesely, Nick Docken, Erin Cooper and Anne Schaefer.

Advertisement

We hope you enjoyed your evening with our lively auctioneer (Opey!) and delicious meal provided by the wonderful staff of the Reluctant Fisherman. We hope to see you at our banquet next year!

Charlotte Westing and Nick Docken are the committee co-chairs of the Copper Delta Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Advertisement