Ducks Unlimited and partners received a third North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant last fall as part of South Carolina's Lowcountry Wetlands Initiative. These funds will be used to protect and enhance more than 7,300 acres of diverse wildlife habitat in Berkeley, Colleton, Georgetown, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Partners contributed more than $4 million in matching funds toward the $1 million federal grant.

DU established the South Carolina Lowcountry Wetlands Initiative more than 20 years ago to curtail the continuing loss of important wetland habitat in this historic region. Today this initiative is an internationally recognized wetlands conservation effort being delivered in 14 coastal counties. Phase III of this initiative builds on the successes of two previous grants for a combined conservation delivery of more than $16.4 million and 21,000 acres. Conservation projects completed through this initiative help meet the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

Phase III construction will begin this summer and will include projects on the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin and Savannah national wildlife refuges and Bonneau Ferry and Palachucola wildlife management areas.

Ducks Unlimited's partners include Wetlands America Trust, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.