MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota April 24, 2019 Ducks Unlimited recently announced the top volunteer chapters across the nation honored in three categories: Chairmans Roll of Honor, Presidents Elite and Presidents Roll of Honor.

The Chairmans Roll of Honor designation is reserved for the chapters that raised between $250,000 and $999,999, while those that raised between $100,000 and $249,999 were named as Presidents Elite chapters. Rounding out the three categories, Presidents Roll of Honor chapters raised between $65,000 and $99,999.

These fundraising events are the backbone of DUs habitat conservation efforts, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the force making a difference for North American waterfowl populations, said DU President Rogers Hoyt Jr. It takes a great deal of effort to achieve these prestigious levels, and these chapters deserve to be congratulated by every person who enjoys the outdoors.

This years Chairmans Roll of Honor chapter from Minnesota is:

  • Garrison Chapter, Garrison

This years Presidents Elite chapters from Minnesota include:

  • Marsh Lake Chapter, Minneapolis
  • Paul Bunyan Chapter, Brainerd
  • South Metro Flyway Chapter, Lakeville
  • Lake Minnetonka Chapter, Minnetonka
  • Frozen North Chapter, Bemidji
  • Metro-St. Paul Chapter, St. Paul
  • Sherburn Chapter, Sherburn

This years Presidents Roll of Honor chapters from Minnesota include:

  • Freeborn County Chapter, Albert Lea
  • Fergus Falls Chapter, Fergus Falls
  • Bemidji Chapter, Bemidji
  • Morrison County Chapter, Little Falls
  • Sizzlin Southeast MN Chapter, Cottage Grove
  • Forest Lake Chapter, Forest Lake

The chapters honored this year earned their spots on the nationally recognized lists out of more than 2,400 DU chapters nationwide that hosted more than 3,900 fundraising events. DUs event fundraising system has become a model for other conservation organizations worldwide and has helped conserve more than 14 million acres of waterfowl habitat since 1937.

Some chapters will also have the distinction of being honored during DUs 82nd National Convention in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii, May 28 June 2, with many chapter representatives in attendance.

"The hard work and dedication from DUs event system volunteers and staff drive the organizations conservation mission from a financial, membership and policy strength perspective. DU chapters across the country are showing that the future of waterfowl populations and the wetlands that filter our water and protect us from flooding are important to them and to their communities, Hoyt said. The more money we raise, the more habitat we can conserve and the closer we are to preserving our waterfowl hunting heritage.

Several of these chapters, including Garrison, Bemidji and others, have events planned this summer and fall. For details, visit www.ducks.org/Minnesota/events.