During the past decade, DU and partners have completed more than a dozen projects-totaling approximately 2,000 acres of habitat-on Sauvie Island Wildlife Area in Portland, Oregon. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), which has contributing $2.5 million to Sauvie Island conservation projects since 2002, has been the primary funding source for these efforts.These NAWCA funds were leveraged in part by $500,000 contributed by DU major donors.

In recent years, DU and its partners have restored more than 500 acres of managed seasonal wetlands on the East Side of Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, providing vital habitat for waterfowl and excellent public hunting opportunities for waterfowlers. In addition to supporting impressive numbers of migrating and wintering waterfowl, these wetlands provide important breeding and brood-rearing habitat for mallards, wood ducks, and cinnamon teal. This summer, DU will complete four more projects in this area, which will collectively total more than 1,200 acres of wildlife habitat.

In April, DU volunteers, donors, and staff gathered with partners on Sauvie Island Wildlife Area to celebrate a decade of conservation success and formally dedicate the completion of the East Side projects. Ron Anglin, Wildlife Division administrator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, opened the ceremony with high praise for the donors and partner agencies who have contributed so much to conservation work on Sauvie Island. Richard Hannan, deputy regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, thanked the 40 major donors in attendance for their commitment to conservation. Closing remarks were made by Tom Dwyer, director of conservation programs at DU's Pacific Northwest office, who recognized that this work would not have been possible without the commitment of DU volunteers, donors, and staff. The ceremony ended with the unveiling of a plaque engraved with the names of the major donors who supported this important conservation work.