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Ozarka® Spring Water and Energy Transfer are proud to announce the successful completion of the “Bucks for Ducks” donation campaign, raising a combined total of $200,000 through a dollar-match donation initiative to support wetland ecosystem restoration in the Old Sabine Bottom Wildlife Management Area of Smith County, Texas. The campaign, hosted by Texan by Nature, supports the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Beaver Slough Wetland Restoration Project. This will rehabilitate 160 acres of critical wetland habitat delivered by Ducks Unlimited near the Ozarka® Wood County bottling facility and spring site. 

Both organizations became involved in this impactful project through the Texan by Nature-led Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC), an initiative that connects conservation projects with funders seeking to invest in efforts benefiting natural resources. Ducks Unlimited, an organization whose mission is to restore waterfowl habitats and strengthen ecosystems, will implement the project.

“Water is our world at Ozarka®. Our goal is to be a force for good in the communities in which we serve and operate. Through this strategic partnership with Texan by Nature, Ducks Unlimited, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, we’ll make a lasting impact on wildlife, wetlands, and communities within Texas by restoring 160 acres of vital wetland ecosystems. We’re grateful to Energy Transfer for pledging additional funds to help us reach our goal in order to advance this important work,” said Trey Mixon, Head of Natural Resources in Texas for Primo Brands. “We are proudly Texan, and we’ll continue to do our part at Ozarka® to conserve the beauty of the great state of Texas.”

Through the “Bucks for Ducks” campaign, which started in November 2024 and will run through March of this year, Ozarka® pledged to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, doubling the impact of every contribution. Energy Transfer stepped forward and pledged $100,000 to help the brand reach its goal and advance the critical work of protecting the natural resources of Texas for generations to come. 

“Energy Transfer is proud to support wetland restoration efforts in Texas that will not only benefit waterfowl and wildlife but also the surrounding community,” said Vicki Granado, Vice President of Public Relations for Energy Transfer. “We recognize the importance of healthy and diverse ecosystems and the role they play in our quality of life.”

“Every project Ducks Unlimited delivers is done through partnerships, and we are so excited to have Ozarka® , Texan by Nature, and Energy Transfer supporting this wetland restoration project with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,” said Ducks Unlimited Director of Foundation Relations Andi Cooper.

The campaign reflects Texan by Nature’s mission to advance conservation through impactful partnerships, uniting corporate and conservation organizations like Ozarka®, Energy Transfer, and Ducks Unlimited.

Although the partners have made significant funding commitments, additional support is still needed to complete construction and achieve these critical ecological and recreational benefits. Supporters can still help close the remaining funding gap by contributing to the Bucks for Ducks campaign or through TxWAC by contacting programs@texanbynature.org. 

To discover ways to get involved with conservation projects benefiting water, wildlife, and more across the state, learn more about the Texas Water Action Collaborative here.

About the Beaver Slough Wetland Restoration Project and How to Support 

Located within the Old Sabine Bottom Wildlife Management Area (WMA), owned and operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Beaver Slough Wetland Restoration Project will restore 160 acres of vital wetland ecosystems, delivering significant benefits to both wildlife and the surrounding community, including:

– Enhanced habitat for 13 species of waterfowl and over 100 other migratory and resident bird species.

– 26 million gallons of annual volumetric water benefits to the Sabine River watershed.

– Expanded outdoor recreational opportunities, such as waterfowl hunting and bird watching, for the 230,000 residents of Smith County and beyond.

The project is still accepting donations from the public until March 22, 2025. To learn more and donate, visit https://texanbynature.org/beaver-slough-wetland-restoration-project/.

About Ozarka® Spring Water
Proudly Texan, and celebrating our 120th anniversary in 2025, the Ozarka® Spring Water brand is committed to helping conserve the springs where our water is sourced from and to supporting our local communities where we live and work. Ozarka® Spring Water is sourced from carefully selected springs in Texas. With naturally occurring minerals for unparalleled taste, Ozarka® Spring Water has been quenching the thirst of Texans and their neighboring communities since 1905. Learn more at www.ozarkawater.com. 

About Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with more than 130,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure. Energy Transfer’s strategic network spans 44 states with assets in all of the major U.S. production basins. Energy Transfer is a publicly traded limited partnership with core operations that include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (“NGL”) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; and NGL fractionation.For more information, visit the Energy Transfer LP website at www.energytransfer.com.

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 capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.

About Texan by Nature:
Texan by Nature (TxN) exists to advance conservation that is beneficial to people, prosperity, and natural resources. TxN brings conservation and business together, acting as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business. TxN achieves our mission through programs, including Conservation Wrangler, TxN Certification, Return on Conservation™, custom initiatives through our membership program, the annual Conservation Summit, and statewide leadership such as the Texas Water Action Collaborative. Learn more in our 2023 annual report and at TexanbyNature.org.

Original article published on February 7, 2025 in Texan by Nature's Press Room