Fast Facts:

&ull; Texas AM-Kingsville professor chosen by Ducks Unlimited for the 2016 Wetlands Conservation Achievement Award - Research/Technical category.
&ull; Dr. Ballard's contributions toward understanding northern pintail and mottled ducks have helped guide conservation in one of DU's highest priority landscapes.
&ull; Complete list of the 2016 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award winners at www.ducks.org/wetlandawards.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - March 18, 2016 - Ducks Unlimited announced the winners of the 2016 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards during the 81st North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held in Pittsburgh, Pa. This year's recipient in the research/technical category is Dr. Bart Ballard, professor and research scientist in the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas AM University-Kingsville.

"Dr. Ballard has spent his career focused on waterfowl and wetland biology, ecology and management," said DU Chief Conservation Officer Paul Schmidt. "With numerous published scientific contributions and an impressive cadre of mentored graduate students in prominent waterfowl and wetland conservation positions across the country, there is no doubt Dr. Ballard deserves this recognition."

Ballard holds the C. Berdon and Rolanette Lawrence Endowed Chair in Waterfowl Research and has been on faculty at Texas AM University-Kingsville since 2002.

"Dr. Ballard's contributions to waterfowl biology, ecology and management have been numerous in a relatively short time," Schmidt added. "In particular, his contributions toward understanding wintering ecology of northern pintail along the Gulf Coast of Texas and the biology of Western Gulf Coast mottled ducks have been important for guiding waterfowl habitat conservation in one of DU's highest priority landscapes."

Dr. Ballard also devotes much service time to the Gulf Coast Joint Venture, Texas Colonial Waterbird Society, North American Reddish Egret Recovery, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Bird Advisory Committee, and the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, of which he served as President from 2009-10. He was instrumental in initiating the formation of and served as the Faculty Advisor to Texas AM University- Kingsville's Ducks Unlimited Chapter.

"I'm honored to be recognized by such a prestigious conservation organization and deeply moved to have been nominated by some of my former students," Ballard said. "My accomplishments are the result of collaborations with many students and colleagues over the years and they share this award with me. I am grateful to have been engaged with so many dedicated and passionate conservationists."

Ducks Unlimited's Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards are presented annually in six categories to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and restoration of North America's wetlands and waterfowl. To view a complete list of the 2016 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award winners, visit www.ducks.org/wetlandawards.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13.6 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

Media Contact:
Andi Cooper
601-959-1936
acooper@ducks.org
@DUSouthernNews