Ducks Unlimited membership gift

BrentS

BrentS

Active member
Does anyone know if the "free" gift that you get from renewing your DU membership is just another mini mallard decoy (from Jett Brunet)?
Because they already did the mallard a few years back.
I have all (19) mini deeks from when they started the series, and was looking forward to another......like a scoter or eider or....

Or, maybe it's bigger?... "quarter scale"
 
Hi Brent

Right now the renewal or online membership gift is a fleece pullover, you can do that here: https://www.ducks.org/support/donateOnlineSecure.aspx?promoKey=DUPlushPullover&ID=7218&poe=joinnav

Let me know if you have more questions. I have not seen the mini-decoys offered in awhile
 
I've hesitated to post this, though I've been thinking about it since the original question came up a few days ago.

Can anyone tell me why I should rejoin DU?

I am a lapsed member. I let my membership expire when DU stopped working hard on maintaining Clean Water Act jurisdiction over wetlands--an issue on which they were at one time a national leader. (Here's an example from 2012: http://www.ducks.org/conservation/p...o-defund-clean-water-act-guidance?poe=related) I thought that was an important issue, and I was really angry when DU dropped its longstanding advocacy about it.

I've also been disappointed by their lack of advocacy for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with Canada and Mexico--which for the past 100 years has probably done more to ensure protection of waterfowl and other migratory birds than any other policy. Here's a letter written by former Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service senior leadership who served presidents from both parties on this issue. https://defenders.org/publications/mbta-zinke.pdf As far as I can tell DU has been silent about it.

I think DU has been one of the most effective conservation advocates since its founding, and I recognize that not every organization can fight every battle, so I've been looking to see what DU is advocating in the public arena. Other than Farm Bill, NAWCA, and other federal funding, I don't see much on the "Conservation--Public Policy" section of DU's website: http://www.ducks.org/conservation/public-policy And frankly, they're missing on some important battles on that front, too. Congress just let the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an important program that in my state is often used to conserve important salt marsh habitat, expire. I don't see that DU is among the voices calling for its re-authorization. They were active on this issue a few years ago, but I don't see anything recent from them about it. http://www.ducks.org/conservation/p...tion-funding/land-and-water-conservation-fund They are not currently listed as as supporters of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition, although a lot of similar organizations are: Delta Waterfowl, the Nature Conservancy, Audubon, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wildlife Federation and literally hundreds of others.

I checked DU's "Press Release Archive", which has the header: "Current press releases that have been distributed to media outlets regarding Ducks Unlimited's wetlands conservation mission." It literally contains ZERO releases. http://www.ducks.org/Press-Room/News-Releases There are a few more recent releases on the "press room" section of the website,(http://www.ducks.org/press-room) but none of them are about any conservation advocacy that DU is doing. There is a single release about DU taking $1.8 million from NOAA (remediation money for the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill) and using it for salt marsh restoration in Texas. That's good work. I'd like to hear more. The rest of the releases include two about DU/Yeti partnerships, one about DU sponsorship of "National Hunting and Fishing Day", and the rest are about awards DU gave to its own staff.

I don't have a lot of money to donate, and I'm pretty selective about who I give to. I don't care about premiums or bumper stickers or magazines. I want my dollars spent to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat. For the last several years, I've given to other organizations: the National Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, two local land trusts who protect some of my favorite hunting and fishing areas near home, and Maine Audubon.

Please make the case for why I should once again add DU to that list. What important work is DU doing that needs my support? Specific examples, please.
 
i don't know that they deeply get involved in politics -i can't speak for that - maybe someone on here can​

​
i know that do give official positions and lobby congress on many bills and issues
​

but most importantly to me is that they do get heavily involved in habitat conservation and restoration. for one example, they are helping NY restore newly acquired property that was historically in the Montezuma marsh area - in the magazine i see that is true around the continent -

they also advise private property owners on how to manage wetlands

and habitat is IMHO a primary concern
 
Thanks Rick. I'll look for habitat projects in my area. That would definitely get me back on board.
 

I agree with Rick.


There are many DU projects in western NY. Many on private land, some on public land, very close to where I live. They all provide a wealth of habitat for "wild things". All cost $$$$$$ to create and maintain.

Yet for me the real impact is seeing for one's self, all the projects and heritage marshes in the Duck Factory. Especially during drought and lean times, not the fat times. When the $hit hits the fan DU counts the most. Many waterfowl hunters of today have not seen the lean times that are all part of life's cycle.


There is no money to burn in our family. Since 1968 I've been a DU member, then volunteer. Plus have donated art and carvings, for a cause that I very much believe in.

It is very personal for me. I have witnessed many dawns on DU projects, near and far, and reaped a harvest much greater than a full duck strap.


Get involved with your local DU chapter and you can see for yourself what is going on in your area. Then plan some long road trips to explore where the foundations were built for the ducks and the future. You will enjoy yourself.
 
Jeff I suggest contacting Gildo Tori to answer your questions. gtori@ducks.org
 
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Thanks to everyone for the responses, and keep them coming. There's a place for both big picture advocacy and for local stewardship. We need, and I support, organizations that do both.
 
My renewal offer (for membership) included this mallard decoy, however it doesn't look like the mini decoys that they've been offering for almost 20 years now.
It appears to be a bigger one (not of the same/similar mini collection).
I was really enjoying collecting the mini decoys every year (and my kids, too)....it's too bad if they stopped that. There were still many types of ducks Jett Brunet could have carved...



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Jeff,

I'm not able to give you specifics but we all have to remember that there are some very nuanced positions that an IRS recognized 501-c3 can take politically without jeopardizing their status. The issue that you reference is "highly" political. In our world, as waterfowl hunters, support for clean water is an obvious choice that can be made without much thought. However the discussion gets very contentious when we start applying "general" rules for distinct and unique watersheds. Flood control, potable water supply, and restoration is a complex dynamic that changes in every corner of this country. If a 501-c3 becomes "too" political they run the risk of losing their tax status. I can not speak for, or say that this is what DU's concern is, but I know that it is a very real concern as it pertains to the current political landscape of this country.

DU does a great job doing what they advertise as their primary objective. That objective is to provide, protect, and expand the inventory of waterfowl habitat across North America. I feel that they still are the leaders in this arena and I continue to support them in their effort.
 
Dan Daniels said:
Jeff,

I'm not able to give you specifics but we all have to remember that there are some very nuanced positions that an IRS recognized 501-c3 can take politically without jeopardizing their status. . . . . If a 501-c3 becomes "too" political they run the risk of losing their tax status. I can not speak for, or say that this is what DU's concern is, but I know that it is a very real concern as it pertains to the current political landscape of this country.
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Dan, DU may choose not to engage on those issues, but plenty of other 501-c3's do, without losing their tax-exempt status. As DU did until just a few years ago. 501-c3's cannot endorse candidates, but there are no restrictions on their ability to lobby on issues, including legislation. Of course, DU has different interests and takes a different approach than organizations with very different missions, and that's appropriate.

The issue that you reference is "highly" political. In our world, as waterfowl hunters, support for clean water is an obvious choice that can be made without much thought. However the discussion gets very contentious when we start applying "general" rules for distinct and unique watersheds. Flood control, potable water supply, and restoration is a complex dynamic that changes in every corner of this country.
Click to expand...

I'm just going to disagree here. If the Clean Water Act doesn't apply when flood control, water supply, or restoration projects are potentially impacted, it's not much good. It's only important where it helps strike the appropriate balance between meeting those needs and the simple goals of the CWA--that our nation's waters should be "swimmable, fishable, drinkable" and "suitable as habitat for fish and wildlife". And the Clean Water Act specifically allows each state to (1) write its own water quality standards; and (2) has a process to exempt specific waters from the CWA if a finding is made that substantial social or economic disruption would result if changes necessary to meet standards were made. This allows for substantial flexibility to account for local differences.

I strongly support DU's restoration work. But, to be honest, I don't want to support an organization whose most recent pronouncement on a federal issue that I saw in the press was a celebration of a Department of Interior decision to allow use of lead shot on federal lands.

My compromise. I'll be back as a donor to the national organization when I feel they represent my interests again in Congress. In the meantime, if DU has any important habitat projects in Maine, I'll be happy to support those directly with funds dedicated to those projects.
 
As long as we ONLY look at what directly benefits us and supports our own isolated agenda... we can be confident that we will accomplish nothing in the big picture.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Dan, DU may choose not to engage on those issues, but plenty of other 501-c3's do, without losing their tax-exempt status. As DU did until just a few years ago. 501-c3's cannot endorse candidates, but there are no restrictions on their ability to lobby on issues, including legislation. Of course, DU has different interests and takes a different approach than organizations with very different missions, and that's appropriate.
Click to expand...

We are in agreement here. I think we all wish it was better. Being a Floridian and fairly intimate with Everglades Restoration I am fully aware of how money, state's rights, culture, heritage, conservation, preservation, etc. are at play. It is, and can be highly political.

Being active on a 501-c3 Wetlands based conservation organization as a board member, I can also say that we/I have looked at the law and how it is written and must consider this language in how we base our decisions. Again, I have no idea how DU came to their decision. I was simply offering a different perspective of the situation that may or may not be an influencer. I offered this perspective as a member and supporter of DU looking to regain a past member. It seems like your mind was already made up. Below is a cut and paste of the legalese used in discussing 501-C3 status.

In general, according to the IRS, "no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status."








 
I get that, Phil. On the other hand, I don't think wanting to send my conservation dollars to organizations that will support protecting the nations wetlands with the Clean Water Act is an "isolated" agenda. In fact, one of my concerns is that DU has abandoned some of their big picture thinking about how to conserve wetlands nationwide and chosen to focus instead at the local level.

The question isn't about whether I'll support conservation. It's about which organizations will get what I can afford to give.

There are lots of organizations doing good work; my means to give are limited; and I want my dollars stretched as far as possible. Legal protection of wetlands matters more to me than anything else related to duck habitat. If DU doesn't work on that, I'll find an organization that does. Every conservation hierarchy I have ever seen says that the most effective action we can take is to conserve and protect existing high value, un-degraded habitat. That's especially true for migratory species that rely on scattered and isolated habitat. My second waterfowl-related conservation priority is permanent protection of important wetland habitat through conservation purchase or conservation easements.

Last year I gave to the local National Wildlife Federation affiliate; Backcountry Hunters and Anglers; a local group called Maine Rivers; and the local land trust, Kennebec Land Trust, who have protected lands around multiple wetland complexes in my local area. I'm open to suggestions about other worthy recipients.

Or to evidence that DU is working on legal protection for wetlands and I have just missed it. DU does do excellent work on wetland management and on wetland acquisition projects, but as was noted above, a lot that work is appropriately occurring at the local level. I can't be much of a judge about the value of a project 500 miles from home on a marsh I've never seen, but I can evaluate local projects. When DU is involved in good projects here, I will enthusiastically support them.
 
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