DU’s state chairwoman for Texas, Lisa Harris, led her state to top-ten rankings in several other categories, including second in “total members,” and second in “most new life sponsors.” Texas boasts 47,791 DU members and 21 Life Sponsors. Life sponsors are DU members who contribute $10,000 or more.

In recognition of her leadership, Harris was named the number one state chair for Ducks Unlimited. Texas also received a State Program Award designed to honor DU committees, events, and volunteers for excellence in conservation and fundraising.

“They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and as far as DU fundraising goes, that statement holds true,” says DU’s Executive Vice President, Don Young. “Texas consistently shows tremendous support for DU’s habitat conservation efforts, and this recognition is the least we can do to say thanks for that support.

Ducks Unlimited has conserved 162,903 acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat in Texas, and has spend more than $14 million on conservation projects in the state.

“Texas is a critical wintering area for millions of North America’s waterfowl, and it’s important that we conserve this valuable habitat while we have the opportunity,” says Young. “But without DU members and volunteers like the ones we have in Texas, DU would not be able to conduct the conservation work we do today. This recognition is the least we can do to thank those members and volunteers who work so hard ensure our conservation work continues to grow.”

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands – nature’s most productive ecosystems – and continues to lose more than 100,000 wetland acres each year.

For more information, see DU's State Fact Sheet on Texas at http://www.ducks.org/community/states/2003/texas.pdf

Contact: Laura Houseal
(901) 758-3764
lhouseal@ducks.org