The Lauritzen family has a strong history with Ducks Unlimited and wetlands conservation that began in the early 1950s. The late John Lauritzen was an active DU member for nearly 50 years. Today, his son Bruce and his family carry on this important legacy.

I grew up hunting with my father along the Missouri River and the North Platte, and with both my parents in the Nebraska Sandhills, Bruce says. Ive enjoyed sharing these experiences with my own children as well.

Bruce has been a staunch DU supporter for more than 30 years. He is a prominent board member of Wetlands America Trust (WAT), which provides financial oversight of DUs endowment fund and land holdings. WAT is also one of the nations largest accredited land trusts.

Bruces wife, Gerry, is also an avid conservationist and serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the board of Nebraska Environmental Trust. In this role Gerry helps to direct competitive grants that promote public-private partnerships and keep Nebraskas land, air, and water clean and healthy for future generations.

The Lauritzen family also has a long, successful track record as the leaders of First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), the largest bank in Nebraska, which has been privately owned for more than 160 years. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, FNBO provides corporate, investment, and retail banking, wealth management, and consumer lending services across more than 100 branches in the Midwest. FNBO is also one of the top credit card issuers in the country and partners with DU to issue the Ducks Unlimited Visa Card.

In 2017, Bruces son Clark became the sixth generation of the Lauritzen family to serve as president and chairman of FNBO. Clark is a devoted family man, avid sportsman, conservationist, and DU supporter.

Bruce serves as chairman of FNBOs parent company and the Lauritzen Corporation. He, Gerry, and their family actively serve and support a wide range of charitable and civic organizations.

Were forever grateful to be working with such great supporters and friends as the Lauritzen family and the entire team at FNBO, said Eric Lindstrom, DUs managing director of development for the Great Plains Region. Their commitment to family, conservation, and community is truly inspiring.

Bruce and Gerry are DU Diamond Legacy Sponsors and members of the prestigious Presidents Council. Together they are passing on a vital conservation legacy to the next generation, and Ducks Unlimited is proud to have the Lauritzen family as part of its family as well.