Conservation partner, Phillips 66, has renewed its commitment to Ducks Unlimited with a $650,000 grant to support wetland enhancement projects in Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, and New Jersey.

“At Phillips 66, we believe in creating long-term value for the communities where we live and work—and that includes protecting their natural resources,” said Courtney Meadows, Social Impact Manager at Phillips 66. “Our renewed partnership with Ducks Unlimited reflects our continued commitment to conservation, sustainability, and supporting projects that make a measurable difference for wetlands, wildlife, and people.”

For over a decade, Phillips 66 has championed the preservation of vital wetlands in communities where it works, investing over $5 million to protect and restore these essential ecosystems.

"Ducks Unlimited is proud to have a long-standing partnership with Phillips 66, built on a shared commitment to conservation and sustainability,” said Matt Bunn, DU Managing Director of Development. “Their support has been instrumental in helping us restore and protect critical wetland habitats, ensuring a future where waterfowl, wildlife, and communities thrive. We are grateful for their dedication and look forward to continuing this impactful collaboration."

Projects supported by the 2025 grant award include:

• The Banner Lakes State Wildlife Area Wetlands Enhancement Phase I Project to improve 154 acres of wetlands in Weld County, Colorado. Managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for waterfowl, fisheries, and public recreation, this project will add at least three new wetland impoundments and enhance management infrastructure. Key partners include Phillips 66, DU, CPW, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council.

• The Texas Playa Conservation Initiative (TPCI) focuses on restoring playa lakes in the Texas Panhandle to recharge the dwindling Ogallala Aquifer. Through a partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Playa Lakes Joint Venture, DU works with private landowners to restore playa wetlands, benefiting both wildlife and rural communities. Since 2015, TPCI has restored over 3,800 acres of playas, providing 313 million gallons of water annually. That’s enough water for 2,174 families of 4 for a year. The initiative also supports birds such as northern pintails, cranes, pheasants, quail, and shorebirds.

• The Louisiana Mottled Duck Project (LMP) aims to restore critical brood-rearing habitat for declining mottled duck populations in southwest Louisiana, spanning multiple parishes north of the Intracoastal Waterway. Mottled duck numbers have dropped over 60% in the last decade. To address this, LMP incentivizes landowners to create and manage shallow water wetlands with an optimal 50/50 mix of vegetation and open water, ensuring ducklings have adequate habitat conditions. These wetlands also benefit shorebirds, wading birds, marsh birds, and other waterfowl. In addition to Phillips 66, this project is supported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and others.

• The Moore Odom Wildlife Foundation Levee Repairs Project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, aims to protect 858 acres of critical freshwater wetlands and coastal prairie, vital habitats for declining species like the mottled duck, loggerhead shrike, and bobwhite quail. The 15,000-acre Moore Odom Wildlife Foundation preserve includes some of the last remaining native coastal prairie in Louisiana, supporting grassland-nesting birds and wetland-dependent species. The project will repair a levee that separates these productive freshwater wetlands from Black Lake, which has experienced significant habitat loss due to marsh conversion. This restoration will enhance brood-rearing and molting habitat for mottled ducks, support waterbird rookeries, and improve wintering waterfowl habitat. Key partners include the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, Phillips 66, Moore Odom Wildlife Foundation, and Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

• The Cattus Island County Park Restoration Project in New Jersey aims to enhance and protect 500 acres of coastal habitat and 67 miles of shoreline within northern Barnegat Bay’s largest salt marsh complex. Managed for public recreation and wildlife conservation, this 846-acre park supports over 30 species of waterfowl and 360 migratory bird species, including multiple species of concern. This project will implement nature-based solutions, such as artificial reefs, wave attenuation devices, and dredged sediment placement, to prevent erosion, restore wetlands, and improve resilience against sea level rise. Key partners include Phillips 66, USFWS, Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Stockton University.

• The Horseshoe Lake State Park: Lower End Unit Project aims to enhance 286 acres of wetland habitat while addressing stormwater flooding near Pontoon Beach, IL. A remnant Mississippi River oxbow and the second-largest natural lake in Illinois, Horseshoe Lake collects runoff from 17,000 surrounding acres. This project will replace a water control pump, reducing floodwater drainage time from 25 days to 5 and improving flood resilience for nearby communities. Additionally, the project will optimize waterfowl habitat and public recreation in one of the largest parks in the St. Louis metro region. It also marks the launch of a larger partnership between Ducks Unlimited and East St. Louis to implement natural infrastructure along the Mississippi River. Phillips 66 previously funded engineering and design. Additional partners include IDNR, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, NAWCA, and the City of East St. Louis.