EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. - May 31, 2013 - The East Hampton Chapter of Ducks Unlimited has been designated a 2012 New York Chapter of the Year. State Ducks Unlimited officials singled out the group based on criteria that ranged from increased membership to growth in fundraising.

"This chapter has always been high achieving," said Joe Nicosia, New York Ducks Unlimited state chairman. "But this year the committee members dedicated themselves to a dramatic increase, and that's exactly what they did."

The East Hampton Chapter's strength has come from the committee's growth and the volunteers' dedication to conserving waterfowl habitat. Over the last year, the chapter increased its event income by 32 percent, and increased sponsorship numbers by 63 percent.

As areas of open space shrink around the chapter's East Hampton, N.Y., community, they become an even more precious commodity for migrating birds in the Atlantic Flyway. Canada geese join with mallards, wigeons, pintails, black ducks, green-winged teal and colorful wood ducks to utilize the warm waters, bays and marshes Long Island offers.

Creativity is key when fundraising on behalf of wildlife, so Area Chairman JoRae Brennan and her husband, Thomas, recently reestablished the Long Island Sponsor Print Program. This unique program provides an incentive print available only to DU sponsors on Long Island. The program helps chapters in the region to recruit additional sponsors. The East Hampton Chapter is also well known for their annual striped bass fishing tournament to benefit wetlands and waterfowl.

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:
Kristin Schrader
kschrader@ducks.org