Ducks Unlimited (DU) is proud to announce a grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF) to dramatically grow DU’s Soil Health Program (SHP) in Montana. The $350,000 grant from AMBFF will support this critical initiative designed to address pressing conservation challenges, enhance soil health and promote sustainable land-use practices, ensuring the vitality of Montana's ecosystems and agricultural landscapes well into the future.

“Healthy soils mean thriving ecosystems and communities,” said Chad Ledford, director of Development at Ducks Unlimited. “Through this unique partnership, Ducks Unlimited and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation are uniting to ensure that farmers and ranchers in Montana can prosper while protecting our natural resources."

The SHP is built around DU’s belief that empowering producers is critical to wide-scale soil health adoption across agricultural communities. With the SHP, Ducks Unlimited is taking an innovative approach to helping producers ensure the sustainability and profitability of their operations in the face of climate chSMMontana Hi Line3.copy.jpgange while delivering waterfowl habitat conservation. The program also provides societal benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing carbon sequestration and improving water retention.

Key activities in Montana will include recruiting and enrolling producers in the SHP, leading to implementing cover crops, rotational grazing, restoring perennial grasses or returning historic wetlands to the landscape. The Soil Health Program offers enrolled producers access to education, technical assistance, the support of DU’s conservation team for restoration design, and cost-share funding for supplies like fencing and seed.

"The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is proud to support Ducks Unlimited's innovative Soil Health Program,” said Blair Beasley, managing director, Environment, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “Expanding this program to Montana represents a significant step towards promoting climate-smart agricultural practices that benefit both producers and the environment. By investing in soil health and sustainable land management, we're safeguarding Montana's rich natural resources and empowering local producers to adapt to changing climate conditions in a way that makes sense for their business.” 

Additionally, support from AMBFF enables DU to work alongside the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture and other partners to assess steps the needed to combat Montana's grassland loss and degradation. Montana’s native grasslands are essential for biodiversity, agriculture and the state’s overall environmental health. Since a significant portion of Montana's land is under private ownership, DU and AMBFF are focused on advancing critical grassland conservation that will positively impact the landscape and the producers who steward it now and in the future.

Together, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Ducks Unlimited support a more resilient and sustainable future in Montana. The Soil Health Program addresses conservation needs, equipping producers with the tools and knowledge they need for future generations.

About Ducks Unlimited
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 19 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 comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.

 

About the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is a philanthropy founded to help transform lives and communities by uniting people across differences to find common cause. Started in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, the foundation has granted more than $1.3 billion to charitable causes. Our collective giving areas are Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Youth Development. Across these areas, we take on tough challenges by uniting the courage and compassion of our communities so we can all thrive together. In addition to the priority areas of giving, the foundation oversees a large portfolio of grants including support of essential Atlanta nonprofit institutions, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center, and enduring founder-led initiatives, such as veterans and the military and stuttering, among others. For more, visit www.blankfoundation.org.