NORFOLK, Virginia - April 2, 2018 - Ducks Unlimited announced the winners of the 2018 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards during the 83rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference.

This year's recipient in the Senior Elected Official category is Ohio Rep. David Joyce.

"Congressman Joyce is a champion for wetlands and federal programs that advance Ducks Unlimited's wetlands mission," said Margaret Everson, Ducks Unlimited's chief policy officer. "His support for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative reflects his deep sense of conservation ethic."

Rep. Joyce was first elected in 2012 to Ohio's 14th District, which covers the Lake Erie shoreline from Cleveland east to the state line. Raised in an active sporting home, he was taught to fish and hunt by his father in Sandusky Bay. Growing up in that environment instilled a deep appreciation of conservation that has continued into his legislative career.

Rep. Joyce has a special love for waterfowl hunting and hunts every chance he gets in northern Ohio wetlands.

"Congressman Joyce is a Ducks Unlimited member and a frequent attendee at Ducks Unlimited events in Ohio and Washington, D.C.," said Gildo Tori, director of policy for Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes/Atlantic Region. "His strong service to his constituents and the sportsmen and women in Ohio are crucial to keeping our Great Lakes healthy and productive."

"It is an honor to be recognized as one of this year's winners of the Wetland Conservation Achievement Award," Joyce said. "Our wetlands and water flow are so important to our natural ecosystem, and I am proud to be a voice of support in Congress. As an advocate of the Great Lakes and a hunter myself, I understand the need and responsibility we have to preserve these great resources. Thank you to Dunks Unlimited for this honor."

Ducks Unlimited's Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards are presented annually in six categories to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and restoration of North America's wetlands and waterfowl. To view a complete list of the 2018 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award winners, visit www.ducks.org/wetlandawards.

Download high-res image of Rep. Joyce

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 more than 14 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:
Chris Sebastian
(734) 623-2017
csebastian@ducks.org