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RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.  – June 21, 2024 – Ed May was chosen for the 2024 Western Regional Excellence in Policy Volunteerism Award from a venerable group of nominees, including Rob Jensen and Kyle Swanson, who have provided invaluable contributions to Ducks Unlimited during their many years of service.

May serves as the regional vice president for DU in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska and is the DU Oregon State Policy Co-Chair. He previously served as District Chairman, Oregon State chairman, and at-large Board Member.

May has dedicated two decades of his time working tirelessly on behalf of DU promoting positive conservation policy in his home state of Oregon and throughout the Western Region. With Ed’s support, DU helped establish the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP), which helps keep farmers in operation by providing grants for easements and conservation assistance and provides important state match funding for North American Wetlands Conservation Act projects. This year is OAHP’s third year of operation and Ed helped secure $5.1 million for this important program in the legislature and is currently advocating for much-needed future increases.

Additionally, May has been DU’s leading voice for hunter rights in Oregon. He has been instrumental in the growth of the Oregon Sportsmen’s Conservation Partnership (OSCP) and has supported more responsible gun safety proposals in the Oregon Legislature that preserve youth hunting and shooting sports he has also been instrumental in promoting new funding for public policy efforts in Oregon aimed at preserving our right to hunt, fish and harvest food.

“Ed is a mentor to all and a great asset to DU’s conservation, fundraising, and policy teams, providing us with invaluable advice and support throughout the region,” said Matt Little, DU director of Public Policy.

DU Utah State Public Policy Chair Rob Jensen was also nominated for his contributions to DU and life-long commitment to conservation.

Jensen founded the Tooele chapter of DU in 1979, one of the oldest chapters in Utah. Since then, he has served as State Chairman and on the regional public policy committee.

“Anyone who knows Rob knows that he is a true conservationist,” said Casey Snider, DU Water Policy Specialist for Utah.

Kyle Swanson, DU’s former Public Policy chair for Nevada, was nominated for being the driving force in reinstating the Nevada DU license plate program, a program that is expected to

generate tens of thousands in revenue. Swanson resurrected the program after it had been cancelled and rebranded it for success.

“Kyle used his expertise and knowledge of the law to push the program through to its complete approval,” said Billy Ray Fann, DU senior regional director for Nevada. “When we thought all was lost, Kyle never gave up and persevered.”

This program would not have existed without Kyle's volunteerism and determination.

DU is grateful to these volunteers for their continued hard work and commitment. May will receive the volunteer award on June 22, at the DU Oregon State Convention in Garibaldi, Oregon as well as at the Washington State Convention in DuPont, Washington.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 18 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.