Sixty Ducks Unlimited Greenwings and their families gathered near Madison this past Saturday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the South Dakota Greenwings program. The more than 200 people were on hand to dedicate a new Legacy Greenwing site, the states seventh.


The sites bronze cairn is on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) land that is managed for ducks and other wildlife. The cairn has the names of more than 200 youth who became Legacy Greenwing members in the last few years. The ceremony recognized the support the Greenwings and their families have shown for DU and wetlands conservation.


South Dakotas first Legacy Greenwing member, Vincent Bickner, says he has been around Ducks Unlimited as long as he can remember. Bickner, the son of current DU state chair Harold Bickner and his wife Lori, continues to be an active volunteer.


I volunteer because Im an avid hunter, and I like what we do, Vincent said.


After the ceremony, hot dogs and hamburgers were served in the parking lot of the FWS visitor center located nearby. The visitor center was open, and FWS staff were on hand to answer questions and talk about wildlife conservation.


The dedication site is about three miles southeast of Madison, approximately mile south of the junction of Highways 34 and 19. The cairn is placed along a paved tour route that includes several wildlife interpretive signs along the way.


Legacy Greenwing memberships are $200 and can be purchased by following thislink.