Ducks Unlimited (DU) proudly announces that Yamaha Rightwaters will continue its commitment to wetlands and water conservation over the next three years by supporting projects in Wisconsin. This renewed partnership represents Yamaha Rightwaters's second gift, marking six consecutive years of support and collaboration.

Yamaha Rightwaters’ support will help enhance habitat within the Sensiba Unit of the Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area, located along the shore of Green Bay in Brown County, Wisconsin. Building on past DU efforts at the Wildlife Area, the project will improve 147 acres of wetlands for wading birds and 50 acres of spawning habitat for Northern Pike.

“Habitat restoration is a core pillar of Yamaha Rightwaters, and this work aligns with our mission to protect and enhance vital ecosystems,” said Joshua Grier, Sustainability Program Manager, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “Restoring wetlands like these not only helps Northern Pike thrive but also strengthens the Great Lakes region for both wildlife and people. We look forward to the progress we will make together in Wisconsin.”

The project’s primary focus is the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat and spawning marshes. In 1948, the Sensiba Unit was the first property secured under the authority of the Scattered Fish Habitat acquisition project for fish management activities. Today, this 570-acre property supports diverse wetlands and a variety of aquatic plants and provides many public recreational opportunities.

As part of DU’s Great Lakes Initiative, the Sensiba project contributes to a region where an astounding 1.8 million recreational anglers fish the Great Lakes each year, with millions more fishing in the inland lakes and streams. According to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the combined commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries in the region generate more than $7.8 billion annually and support over 75,000 jobs.

“DU is grateful for the investment from Yamaha Rightwaters, where we were able to leverage that support to secure additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to make this project happen,” said Brian Gleninski, DU Manager of Conservation Programs. “The preservation and enhancement of these priority coastal wetlands, along with all the benefits to fish and wildlife, does not happen without the collaboration of such great partners.”

DU and the WDNR plan to restore water-level control and return full management capabilities to improve habitat and increase Northern Pike production. This effort will provide Northern Pike access to the spawning habitat while enabling WDNR staff to flow water to the spawning marsh during critical times and excluding invasive carp from this area. Designed to maximize fish production, the restored impoundment will also serve as a high-quality, moderately protected wetland for other wildlife.

This project is a collaboration between the WDNR, the USFWS, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), and Ducks Unlimited.

Yamaha Rightwaters is a national sustainability program encompassing all of Yamaha Marine's conservation and water quality efforts. Program initiatives include habitat restoration, support for scientific research, mitigation of invasive species, reduction of marine debris, and environmental stewardship education. Yamaha Rightwaters reinforces Yamaha's long-standing history of natural resource conservation, support of sustainable recreational fishing and water resources, and the Angler Code of Ethics, which requires pro anglers to adhere to stewardship principles for all marine resources.