Ducks Unlimited • Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 1

DUCKS UNLIMITED SECURES $1.42 MILLION OF GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS FOR OHIO CONSERVATION The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is President Obama’s 5-year commitment to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

During the fi rst year of the GLRI (2010), $475 million was available to fund projects that will improve the health of the Great Lakes

ecosystem. Ducks Unlimited (DU) was awarded three GLRI grants totaling $1,423,510 in federal funding to support coastal wetland

restoration and protection along western Lake Erie in Ohio. Th ese projects include a $643,397 grant from the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to restore a 350-acre coastal wetland on Lake Erie’s Catawba Peninsula, a $150,013 grant from

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint Venture to enhance 392 acres of

coastal wetlands at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, and a $630,100 grant from the USFWS’ Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration

Act to acquire permanent conservation easements on 330 acres of coastal wetlands or adjacent buff ers along western Lake Erie. In

addition, DU received $462,500 of GLRI funding from the USFWS to complete important Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

analysis of wetlands throughout the Great Lakes watershed, including the Lake Erie watershed of Ohio. More details of all of these

GLRI projects are available within this report.

DU’s overall success with the GLRI was outstanding. We received $9.9 million of GLRI funds from the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, NOAA, and USFWS to implement 19 projects in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and New York that will restore

and protect thousands of acres of wetlands, restore miles of fi sh passage and provide important analysis of the status and trends of

wetlands. DU and our partners have identifi ed several additional wetland conservation projects in the Lake Erie watershed of Ohio

and throughout the Great Lakes that we will pursue funding in year two of the GLRI. Stay tuned for more updates on the GLRI and

the projects that DU is implementing in Ohio!

Ohio2011 CONSERVATION REPORT • GREAT LAKES/ATLANTIC REGIONAL OFFICE

DU completed the survey and engineering design of the Middle Harbor project in 2010. Construction is expected to begin during 2011.

www.ducks.org2

GLRI PROJECT - RESTORING LAKE ERIE HYDROLOGY TO MIDDLE HARBORMiddle Harbor is a 350-acre coastal wetland located along Lake Erie on the Catawba Peninsula that is owned by the Ohio Department

of Natural Resources (ODNR) – Division of Parks and Recreation as part of East Harbor State Park. Th e wetland basin is currently

disconnected hydrologically from Lake Erie, and over time has become almost completely devoid of vegetation, has poor water

quality, and off ers limited benefi ts to fi sh, wildlife and the public. Due to the degraded nature of the wetland, its large size, and

location along Lake Erie, Middle Harbor was identifi ed by the ODNR as a high priority for restoration.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) partnered with the ODNR Parks and Recreation and Wildlife Divisions to secure a $643,397 Great Lakes

Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to restore the hydrological

connection between Middle Harbor and Lake Erie that will signifi cantly improve the productivity of this important wetland. DU’s

engineering staff has completed the topographic survey and the design of a water control structure that will provide water level

management capability to ODNR staff . Once the design is implemented in 2011, ODNR will have the tools necessary to manipulate

water levels and aquatic vegetation within the basin. Aft er an initial dewatering of the wetland to stimulate the growth of benefi cial

vegetation, the water control structure will remain open to allow for daily and seasonal fl uctuations in lake levels and permit fi sh

passage into and out of the wetland.

GLRI PROJECT – ENHANCEMENT OF COASTAL WETLANDS AT MAGEE MARSH WILDLIFE AREAMany of the remaining coastal marshes along Lake Erie are located within a protective system of levees that allow managers to sustain

high-quality conditions despite fl uctuating lake levels and precipitation. Th ese wetlands require periodic maintenance and repair of

the management infrastructure (levees, water control structures, etc) to ensure their functions and values are protected over the long-

term. Recent budgetary constraints have made it diffi cult for the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW) to perform all of the necessary

maintenance and repair of the existing wetland management infrastructure at Magee

Marsh Wildlife Area thereby jeopardizing the value of these important wetlands.

To address this issue, Ducks Unlimited (DU) received a Great Lakes Restoration

Initiative (GLRI) grant from the Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region Joint

Venture in the amount of $150,013. Th is grant, combined with a $60,000 ODOW cash

commitment, will result in the reshaping and armoring of the east side of the main

water channel through Magee Marsh and prevent its potential failure. Th is channel is

the only source of water that is used to manage 282 acres of Great Lakes coastal wetland.

Funds from this grant will also allow DU to design and replace 3 failing water control

structures. Th ese new structures will allow ODOW staff to once again manage water

levels and sustain productive conditions in three additional wetlands totaling 110 acres.

In total, this project enhances and protects the management capability to 392 acres of

coastal wetland habitat of importance to waterfowl, other wildlife, and the public.

DU AND THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ENHANCE WETLANDS AND RESTORE FISH PASSAGE AT OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Geological Survey

(USGS), Ducks Unlimited (DU) designed and constructed a water control structure that

allows for the passage of fi sh between Crane Creek and the 99-acre Pool 2b at Ottawa

National Wildlife Refuge. Th is $279,000 project was funded by the USGS through

DU’s Indefi nite Delivery-Indefi nite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Region 3 of the

USFWS. Th is project has many positive outcomes including restoring the hydrological

connection between Crane Creek and the Pool 2b coastal wetland, improving the

USFWS’ ability to manage water levels and aquatic vegetation in the wetland, and

increasing the amount of wetland habitat available to spawning fi sh. Th e USGS intends

to use the restored wetland and fi sh passage as a study site to monitor use by fi shes and

other aquatic organisms.

HABITAT HAPPENINGS

Erosion along the east side of the main

water supply channel at Magee Marsh that

jeopardizes the productivity of hundreds of

acres of coastal wetlands will be addressed

through a GLRI grant awarded to DU.

DU’s contractor installing components of

the new water control and fi sh passage

structure at Ottawa NWR.

Ducks Unlimited • Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 3

HABITAT HAPPENINGS

GLRI PROJECT – THE SOUTHWEST LAKE ERIE LAND PROTECTION STRATEGY Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) Southwest Lake Erie Land Protection Strategy continues to grow thanks to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

grant in the amount of $630,100 through the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. DU, in partnership with Black Swamp

Conservancy, will utilize these Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds to purchase permanent conservation easements

on approximately 330 acres of land identifi ed by state and federal wildlife agencies as high priority areas for protection within the

watershed of western Lake Erie. Th e Southwest Lake Erie Land Protection Strategy is focused on the protection of existing private

wetlands and adjacent agricultural property within the coastal zone of

Lake Erie in Ohio and Michigan. Lands near large, contiguous wetlands

are of primary importance, including those surrounding public wildlife

conservation areas such as Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Magee Marsh

Wildlife Area, Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area, and Michigan’s Erie and Point

Mouillee State Game Areas. DU is currently working with sportsmen’s

clubs and private landowners to provide technical assistance and identify

other fi nancial incentives for those interested in protecting their marshes

and farmlands in perpetuity.

Wetlands and their associated upland buffers such as these are targeted for

protection through DU’s Southwest Lake Erie Land Protection Strategy.

OHIO HUNT/DONALD THOMPSON DEDICATIONThe 9th annual Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) Partnership Hunt took place November 9-11, 2010 in

Port Clinton. Th e purpose of the Partnership Hunt is to celebrate the successful partnership between ODOW and DU and the many

victories for waterfowl and wetlands in Ohio resulting from the partnership. It also provides a unique opportunity for DU major

donors and volunteer leaders to experience waterfowling in Ohio’s historic Lake Erie marshes while also learning more about DU and

our conservation programs. Th e Partnership Hunt would not be possible without the assistance of local duck club owners and guides

that donate their time and land for this event.

At the Wednesday evening dinner hosted by Zink Calls, the ODOW presented a check in the amount of $139,608 to DU from the

proceeds of Ohio’s Wetland Habitat Stamp. DU will match this amount and then leverage the money against federal dollars to secure

wetland habitat in Ontario, Canada to provide nesting and brood rearing

habitat for waterfowl that migrate through Ohio.

At the event this year DU honored conservationist Donald Th ompson with

the dedication of a 112-acre marsh at Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area. Th e

dedication commemorates Donald’s 40-year career as a wildlife biologist

and administrator with ODOW and DU. Th is dedication is especially fi tting

as Donald played an instrumental role in securing the necessary funding to

restore wetlands and other habitats at Pickerel Creek with Ohio’s fi rst North

American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant.

(From left to right) ODOW District Manager John Daugherty, Retired GLARO

Director Dr. Bob Hoffman, Honoree Donald Thompson, DU President John

Pope, ODOW Chief Dave Graham, and Acting GLARO Director Ken Babcock.

LEARNING WETLAND AND WATERFOWL ECOLOGY AT THE FLYWAY ACADEMYDuring March 18-21, 2010 the inaugural Ducks Unlimited (DU) Flyway Academy took place at Winous Point Shooting Club and

Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area. Ten attendees gathered for two full days of classroom instruction and hands-on outdoor fi eld activities

to learn about a variety of topics including waterfowl ecology, wetland management, and DU’s conservation programs in the Great

Lakes/Atlantic Region. DU and Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW) staff were on hand to provide the participants instruction as well

as ample opportunity to meet and interact. A special thank you goes out to Winous Point Shooting Club and ODOW staff for their

hospitality, participation, and support leading up to and during this event. Th e 2011 Flyway Academy will take place March 24–27

at Winous Point Shooting Club.

www.ducks.org4

HABITAT HAPPENINGS

BIG ISLAND PRIDE DEDICATION Ducks Unlimited (DU) major donors, volunteers, conservation partners and staff turned out for the fi rst ever PRIDE (“Putting

Resources Into Ducks Everywhere”) dedication in Ohio at the Big Island Wildlife Area held May 8, 2010. DU, Ohio Division of

Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and more than a dozen other partners had previously worked together to restore the Big

Island Wildlife Area to the largest prairie pothole and grassland ecosystem in Ohio. Names of 32 PRIDE donors are engraved on a

bronze plaque at the project site.

Ohio PRIDE is a major gift campaign developed by DU to secure major donors in support of habitat conservation and our

waterfowling heritage in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with special

emphasis on the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River Ecosystems. Th rough

this program, donors can choose to restrict their dollars to Ohio to fund wetland

conservation in DU priority landscapes. In turn, PRIDE donors are recognized

on a DU project located in the state. DU’s conservation staff leverages funds

raised through the PRIDE program against other funding sources, eff ectively

turning each PRIDE dollar into four or more for conservation in Ohio! To learn

more about PRIDE, contact a DU Regional Director or the Great Lakes/Atlantic

regional offi ce.

Supporters unveil the bronze plaque that recognizes them as Ducks Unlimited

major donors at the 2010 Big Island PRIDE Dedication.

OHIO BLACK DUCKS TAKE WING: USING SATELLITES FOR SCIENCEResearchers from Ducks Unlimited, the Ohio Division of Wildlife and University of Delaware recently completed a two year study

to evaluate the migration ecology of American black ducks that winter in Ohio. During the winters of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, 20

adult females were captured and fi tted with GPS satellite radio transmitters in an eff ort to identify key migration routes and stopover

locations, estimate migration chronology, and document habitat use patterns. Preliminary results indicate that the majority of black

ducks wintering in Ohio funneled through Lake St. Clair and continued north

through Saginaw Bay and the St. Mary’s River before settling on nesting areas in

Ontario. Interestingly, none of the black ducks wintering in Ohio crossed into the

Atlantic Flyway. Ohio black ducks on average traveled 807 km to nesting areas

stopping three times during the three week spring migration period. Information

from this research will lead to improved decision-making with regards to ongoing

habitat protection and management eff orts for black ducks. Th e funding that made

this project possible was provided by a number of public partners in addition to

the overwhelming support from a host of private donors. To see a complete list of

funding supporters and learn more about this research, please visit http://www.

ducks.org/blackduckstudy.

Migration routes taken by the 20 American black duck hens tracked by DU.

GLRI GRANT - UPDATING THE NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY Developed in the late 1970’s by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a database

that summarizes the extent and status of the nation’s wetlands and is a critical component of conservation planning for waterfowl

and other wetland dependent wildlife. Along with a diverse group of federal, state, and non-governmental partners that rely on the

NWI for planning eff orts, Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) Geographic Information System (GIS) team has recently completed digitizing,

updating, and tracking the changes in Ohio’s NWI. Th is update in Ohio identifi ed more than 26,000 wetland basins that have been

converted since the inventory was fi rst conducted. Updated wetland data will allow DU to predict the change in mallard breeding

pairs and estimate the change in habitat availability for spring migrating waterfowl in Ohio.

To expand upon this work, DU received two Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grants from the USFWS. Th e fi rst will bring

this database up to date in other states in the Great Lakes basin and the second will make the data on wetland change at the county

level available to the public through an interactive web site. Th e information resulting from this analysis will lead to enhancing DU’s

strategic planning eff orts for waterfowl in Ohio and throughout the Great Lakes basin.

Ducks Unlimited • Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 5

MEET YOUR OHIO CONSERVATION STAFF

13 completed projects

356 acres conserved

7,201 acres of

technical assistance

$616,743 invested

2010ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CONSERVATION SUMMARY

P R O J E C T SDUCKS UNLIMITEDDUCKS UNLIMITEDDUCKS UNLIMITED

Note: Project points may represent more than one project.

completed featured

Ottawa National

Wildlife Refuge

Middle Harbor

Dane Cramer joined Ducks

Unlimited in 2010, assuming

the role of Regional Biologist for

Ohio. Dane earned a B.S. from

Pennsylvania State University

and a M.S. from the University

of Delaware, with past work with

waterfowl use along Atlantic

coastal marshes

734.623.2000 • dcramer@ducks.org

Roy Kroll has worked for Ducks

Unlimited (DU) since 2008 and

is responsible for the delivery of

DU’s Southwest Lake Erie Land

Protection Strategy. For 25 years

prior to his position at DU, Roy

managed the Winous Point Marsh

near Sandusky Bay.

734.623.2000 • rkroll@ducks.org

Magee

Marsh

A gift of real estate is an excellent way to support Ducks Unlimited and take advantage of signifi cant tax deductions. You have several options when donating real estate, each with unique benefi ts for both you and DU.

GIVING OPTIONS:

Outright gift of real estate. Real estate that you no• longer wish to own, but is owned outright and readily marketable can be

gift ed to DU.

Gift of real estate with retained life use.• You may gift your principle residence to DU and retain the right to continue to live

and use the property for the rest of your life. Such a gift is deductible in the year the gift is made, not at the end of the retained

life interest.

Gift of real estate through CRT.• For landowners who wish to continue to gain income from their property, there is an option

called a Charitable Remainder trust, or CRT. Th e owner transfers the property to the trust, the trust sells the property, usually

avoiding capital gains taxes (check with your tax advisor) and then the proceeds of the sale are invested to provide income to

the owner for their life. Th e owner should receive a tax deduction for the gift and DU receives the balance of the trust aft er

their death. Th ere are a number of options available, please visit DU’s gift planning website at:

http://www.ducks.org/conservation/land-protection/donations-or-gifts-of-land

DUCKS, POLITICIANS AND LOBBYISTS – ADVANCING DU’S MISSION THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY Although Ducks Unlimited has worked on behalf of waterfowl and wetlands conservation for 74 years, it’s only recently that any

eff ort has been directed at our national and state capitals. A strong biological foundation has always been the cornerstone of DU’s

conservation programs, but science also tells us that we also have to consider the social and political environment and get engaged

where we can make a diff erence.

Perhaps the most signifi cant policy work in which DU engages concerns the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Each

year DU advocates on NAWCA appropriations that yield millions of dollars for habitat conservation in the United States, Canada

and Mexico. NAWCA is a model federal program that encourages partnerships and creative leveraging of funds to produce on-the-

ground results that benefi t waterfowl and many other species of fi sh and wildlife. Much of NAWCA’s success is related to the many

DU members and volunteers working with their elected offi cials to ensure that the program receives adequate funding.

Another signifi cant policy issue aff ecting the entire United States is the Farm Bill, which will be up for renewal in 2012. Th e Farm

Bill is where highly wildlife-friendly programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program

(WRP) originate. Both of these programs, plus others, have provided millions of acres of not only high quality wildlife habitat, but

conservation lands that serve all of society through reduced soil erosion, improved water quality and improved carbon sequestration.

Th e current budget situation will make for tough times in negotiating for conservation programs in the new Farm Bill. A high

priority will be the inclusion of a strong sodsaver provision that will remove federal incentives for converting native grasslands. DU

will be advocating for conservation programs to be an integral part of a working lands approach to America’s farms and ranches.

Although duck hunters and wetland conservationists may not consider themselves lobbyists – we all are. We can either voice our

concerns and needs to our elected offi cials, or we can remain silent lobbyists. DU would like to invite all of you to act on behalf

of the waterfowl we love by visiting DU’s policy web page at www.ducks.org/policy. You can also receive the latest policy news by

subscribing to DU’s Conservation Issues Briefi ng at www.ducks.org/cib. Th ank you!

www.ducks.org6

SUPPORTING THE VISION

Ducks Unlimited • Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 7

$53,687

$818,714

100,000

300,000

500,000

700,000

900,000

Con

serv

atio

n Ex

pend

iture

s ($)

5-Year AverageConservationExpenditure

Goal

5-Year AverageConservationExpenditure

Actual

Th e minimum conservation goal for each state is to spend the

equivalent of 7.5% of total grassroots income raised in that state.

Th is is based on a fi ve-year average.

DU OHIO GRASSROOTS & CONSERVATION

2006 - 2010

SUPPORTING THE VISION

CONSERVATION IN TOUGH TIMESJim Ringelman, Director of Conservation Programs at the Great Plains Regional Offi ce

It’s apparent that our nation is in for some fi nancial belt-tightening. As defi cits soar and people struggle to make ends meet, the search is on to cut back on “frills.” One can’t help but wonder about the implications for conservation.

Most DU members place conservation high on their list of personal values. Preserving the wetlands and waterfowl that we hold dear has, for decades, motivated many of you to give generously of your time and wealth. Unfortunately, not everyone in our nation shares the same viewpoint, so it’s worth considering how DU’s conservation programs add value to society as a whole.

For example, research has shown investments in conservation off er a hundredfold return on capital. Th e reason for this extraordinary return has to do with what’s called “ecosystem services” performed by wetlands and grasslands, which are the focus of DU’s conservation programs. Th ese habitats, abundant in priority landscapes like the Prairie Pothole Region, Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Gulf Coast, Chesapeake Bay and the Central Valley of California, also purify water, recharge aquifers, moderate fl ooding and off er dozens of other benefi ts that would be extraordinarily costly to replace.

If that’s not enough practical benefi t from conservation, consider that medical science has demonstrated clear linkages between connecting with nature and ameliorating ADD, lowering blood pressure, and off ering general improvement in physical and mental health. Increasingly, “nature” persists through the dedicated eff orts of organizations like Ducks Unlimited.

So as we think about how to get our fi nancial house in order, let’s remind decision-makers that conservation is anything but a “frill.”

FRIEND OF THE DUCKS: MIKE PETKOVICHMike Petkovich was raised in northern Indiana and grew up duck hunting with his father on

Lake Michigan. Not long aft er moving to Ohio, he became a Ducks Unlimited (DU) volunteer

with the Medina County chapter in 1998. In 2005, he co-chaired the Medina County event and

in 2006 became the chairman of the chapter. Th rough reenergizing long time volunteers and

recruiting new ones, the chapter grew from a 200-person, $15,000 event to an event that was

attended by over 300 people and raised $25,000 in the fi rst year of Mike’s leadership. Th e event

has remained one of the top events in the state, raising over $30,000 annually for the ducks. Mike

assumed the role of district chair in 2006 and has been successful at energizing other chapters

and recruiting new volunteers. He also is part of the Ohio state committee. Mike and his wife

Amy (the Ohio DU State Secretary) live in Medina with their four children. We thank Mike and

his family for their dedication, passion and commitment to DU and waterfowl conservation.

FRIEND OF THE DUCKS: JOHN PATTERSONJohn Patterson started on his path with Ducks Unlimited (DU) as a volunteer with the Miami

County chapter in 1998 and quickly assumed a leadership role. In 2001, he played a key role in

reviving the Cincinnati East chapter. Aft er successfully leading Cincinnati East for a few years,

John mentored his replacement and assumed a new role as a district offi cer for southwest Ohio.

In 2004, John and his wife, Lisa, took the next step in their commitment to DU by signing a

Life Sponsor pledge. Over the past six years, John has helped restart several chapters, became

the state recruitment chairman in 2008, and has continued as the district offi cer for Dayton,

Middletown, and Cincinnati East. John is a dedicated volunteer that the ducks can count on -

all it takes is a “good wind”! We thank John and Amy Patterson for their long-time support and

commitment to DU and waterfowl conservation.

CONSERVATION PARTNER OF THE YEAR: DOUG BREWERDucks Unlimited (DU) has a long history of partnering with Doug Brewer and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Ottawa

National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands. Our partnership with Doug and the USFWS has produced

a number of valuable restoration projects such as Farm Unit 2,

the Entry Pool, and the recently completed Pool 2b Fish Structure

(detailed in this report). Doug joined the USFWS in 1994 working

out of the Portland, Oregon offi ce. He became assistant manager

at Ottawa NWR in 1997 and served a year as acting manager

of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in 2003. He

returned to Ottawa NWR in 2004 to become the refuge manager.

In September of this past year, Doug moved on to pursue a new

suite of challenges as manager of the 44,000-acre Crab Orchard

NWR in southern Illinois. We wish him the best of luck in his new

assignment and express much gratitude for his partnership and

service to waterfowl and wildlife during his tenure here in Ohio.

Prior to departing for Illinois, DU staff presented Doug Brewer with

a gadwall decoy for exemplifying an exceptional partnership while

managing Ottawa NWR.

FRIENDS OF DUCKS UNLIMITED

Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores

and manages wetlands and associated

habitats for North America’s waterfowl.

These habitats also benefi t other wildlife

and people.1220 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

734.623.2000 • 734.623.2035 (Fax)