Great Lakes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Aug. 27, 2020 - Ducks Unlimited released the latest film in its online series.

In Great Lakes, DU Conserve Films travels to Ohio and Michigan, exploring the waterfowl habitat surrounding and including America&squo;s Great Lakes.

Watch the film at www.ducks.org/media/du-conserve.

David Brakhage is the former director of operations for DU&squo;s Great Lakes office. He&squo;s seen a lot change in his region over the years, but Ducks Unlimited&squo;s impact on the Great Lakes remains.

"Ducks Unlimited is very involved in Great Lakes conservation because it is a very important waterfowl area,&dquo; Brakhage said. "But our efforts carry beyond just that. Protecting and restoring area coastal habitats surrounding the lakes is very important to people as well. Storm protection, clean water and wildlife habitat, the health of these marshes is crucial to this environment.&dquo;

More than 35 million people rely on the Great Lakes for their water. The quality of that water is greatly enhanced by pollutant filtering wetlands.

DU never accomplishes its mission alone. Landowners, corporations, state and federal agencies, everyone plays a role. DU volunteer Mark Mantych and his company made a big difference in the Ohio Manistee Marsh project.

"The project began in 1986, but it was never completed,&dquo; said Mantych. "There was a pump out there that broke down and subsequently suffered years of neglect until Ducks Unlimited got involved. We fixed the pump and now the area offers recreation and wildlife habitat for all to enjoy.&dquo;

Energy Transfer partners with DU to ensure more clean water and better habitat in the landscapes they work in. Energy Transfer Chief Operating Officer Matt Ramsey says Energy Transfer is dedicated to leaving environments in better shape than they found them.

"We believe in giving back to the communities in which we live and work,&dquo; Ramsey said. "We found no better way to do that than to restore wetlands in areas where we have been.&dquo;

Ducks Unlimited&squo;s work benefits more than just waterfowl and waterfowl hunters. Detroit River fishing guide Lance Valentine understands how DU helps anglers too and supports the organization.

"Having clean water and taking care of it is all our responsibility,&dquo; said Valentine. "I knew Ducks Unlimited cared about water for the ducks, but you don&squo;t understand until you see it what their projects do for people like me. If you&squo;re an angler, you should support what Ducks Unlimited is doing.&dquo;

August is DU Conserve month. The 2020 season includes four films released each week in August.

Follow DU&squo;s newest Twitter feed-@DUNews1937-to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.

DU Conserve is produced by Rock Road Creative and sponsored by Yeti and the First National Bank of Omaha.

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 almost 15 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:

John Gordon

901-758-3753