The Presidents Elite are among Ducks Unlimiteds most prestigious volunteer chapters throughout the nation. Every year, the list is reserved for the chapters that raise $100,000 to $250,000 for DUs habitat conservation work. In 2016 Oklahoma had one chapter included on the list, the Cleveland County Chapter out of Norman.

These fundraising events are the backbone of DUs habitat conservation efforts, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the force making a difference for North American waterfowl populations, said DU President Paul Bonderson. It takes a great deal of effort to achieve the Presidents Elite level, and these chapters deserve to be congratulated by every person who enjoys the outdoors.

These chapters earned spots on the Presidents Elite list out of the more than 2,600 DU chapters nationwide that host more than 3,900 fundraising events throughout the year. DUs event fundraising system has become a model for other conservation organizations around the world and has funded a significant portion of the more than 13.8 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat DU has conserved since 1937.

The 2016 Presidents Elite chapters also have the distinction of being honored during DUs 80th National Convention in San Antonio, May 31 June 4, with many chapter representatives in attendance.

DU chapters across the country are showing that the future of waterfowl populations and the wetlands that filter our water and protect us from flooding are important to them and to their communities, Bonderson said. The more money we raise, the more habitat we can conserve and the closer we are to preserving our waterfowl hunting heritage. I would like to personally thank all our Presidents Elite chapters for their achievement and look forward to seeing them among our distinguished chapters next year.

See the full Presidents Elite list for 2016.