LINCOLN, Mont. - April 8, 2015 - The Top 100 is one of the most highly sought-after titles of recognition Ducks Unlimited offers to its local chapters. Each year, the list is comprised of the top 100 fundraising chapters in the United States that raise up to $100,000 through fundraising activities in their communities. Through the efforts of these volunteer committees, DU is able to pursue its mission of conserving, enhancing and restoring North America's wetlands. In 2014, the Blackfoot River chapter made the Top 100 list as one of the organization's best fundraising chapters.

"These fundraising events are the backbone of DU's habitat conservation efforts, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the force driving DU and helping make a difference for North American waterfowl populations," said DU President George Dunklin. "It takes a great deal of effort to break into the Top 100, and these chapters deserve to be congratulated by every person who enjoys the outdoors."

The Blackfoot River chapter earned a spot on the Top 100 list out of the more than 2,600 DU chapters nationwide. DU's event fundraising system has become a model for other conservation organizations around the world and has funded a significant portion of the more than 13 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat DU has conserved since 1937.

The 2014 Top 100 chapters also have the distinction of being honored during DU's 78th National Convention in Milwaukee at the end of May, with many chapter representatives in attendance.

"DU chapters across the country are showing that the future of waterfowl populations and the wetlands that filter our drinking water and protect us from flooding are important to them and to their communities," Dunklin said. "The more money we raise, the more habitat we can conserve and the closer we are to preserving our waterfowl hunting heritage. I would like to personally thank all our Top 100 chapters for their achievement and look forward to seeing them among our distinguished chapters next year."

Visit www.ducks.org to see the full Top 100 list for this year.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.

Media Contact:
Becky Jones Mahlum
701-355-3507
bjonesmahlum@ducks.org