MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Jan. 16, 2019 -Wetlands America Trust (WAT) recently elected Chuck Smith as one of its newest trustees. The WAT board is the land trust arm of Ducks Unlimited and also serves as the organization's foundation. DU is one the most respected conservation companies in the world with an emphasis on waterfowl and wetlands. WAT is one of the largest and most respected accredited land trusts in the country.

WAT oversees DU's endowment and land holdings, including conservation easements. Not only has WAT been successful with this charge, trustees have individually taken up the mantle to introduce DU and its conservation mission to foundations and corporations across North America.

"I've known and become good friends with Chuck over the years and can attest to his commitment to Ducks Unlimited and our mission," said Dan Thiel, WAT's chief operating officer. "Chuck's support of DU's conservation efforts across North America is a testament to his love of the wetlands and habitat that are pivotal to the success of waterfowl populations."

Chuck is the founder and Chairman of National Guard Products, one of the nation's largest architectural door hardware manufacturers. In 2014, Chuck was elected Secretary of Ducks Unlimited's Board of Directors. He played a key role in bringing DU's headquarters to Memphis. Chuck and his wife Susan live in Memphis.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 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.

Media Contact:
Matt Coffey
(901) 758-3764
mcoffey@ducks.org