Southern Region E-Newsletter
October 2019
Keep up with DU’s Southern Region.
Connect with us on Facebook (@sroducks), Twitter (@DUSouthernNews), Flickr and Instagram (@ducksunlimitedsouth).
Hello DU Supporter,
A Message From the Regional Leadership Team
Being relevant to waterfowlers is crucial, but not sufficient. – Loren Chase, Ph.D.

This is the greatest time of year for many of our most ardent supporters, football is back, the days grow shorter, and the north wind hints at cooler days and the grand passage to come. The enchantment at the core of our efforts across the continent has long been waterfowl. Waterfowl motivated our founders, and waterfowl move many of us to great efforts in order to get close enough to experience their majesty in life and in death.

DU’s mission is incredibly simple in purpose, but truly complex in scope. Beyond waterfowl habitat, our conservation projects support clean and abundant water, healthy pollinator populations, flood mitigation, public recreation and countless other outcomes. In providing sustainable ecosystems for waterfowl, our work provides myriad benefits to other species and society. People are dependent upon the same functional systems as are waterfowl. Thus, DU is really in the business of human prosperity.

While we stay true to the needs of waterfowl and the vision of our founders, DU’s work across the continent deserves far more support than we currently enjoy. The societal benefits of our efforts merit societal support. We must find ways to help all people of all stripes see how DU impacts their lives – better fishing, healthy rivers, vibrant food and fiber production, less flooding intensity, fewer insurance claims, and on and on. We must all be ambassadors for the better world that we strive towards because it will take more than our voice in the wilderness to protect our heritage, our way of life and our future.   
News From Around the Region
DU Receives NFWF Funding for Mississippi Alluvial Valley Conservation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced 6 grants totaling $2 million in support of efforts to restore, enhance and protect more than 10,000 acres of forest and wetland habitats along the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Ducks Unlimited is the grantee on two of these important projects.  Read More
Rice Stewardship Continues to Help Farmers
The latest Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) signups took place across 5 states and had more than 400 applications. Our field staff are working hard to meet with all the applicants and work with local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices to obligate the funds. In total 350,000 acres are available for producer conservation contracts valued at $32 million in financial assistance. In addition to the CSP signups, Rice Stewardship also had Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) signups in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. A total of 137 applications were received for these programs, and it is estimated that around 100 of them will be funded.  
DU, ODWC Dedicate Project at Drummond Flats
With the last parcel of the Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area now in the hands of the state, conservationists, sportsmen and state employees gathered at Drummond Flats WMA Aug. 10 to celebrate the acquisition and commemorate a volunteer who helped make it happen - former OKDU chairman Charles “Skip” Hurlburt, who died in the fall of 2015.  Read More
North Carolina Agency First to use Pittman-Robertson Funds for Canada Conservation
The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) has been making state contributions to support habitat work in Canada since 1969. Most states fund these contributions through state license fees, but the NCWRC recently found a new way to increase their investment in waterfowl breeding habitat. The NCWRC worked with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to become the first state to use part of their allotted Pittman-Robertson (PR) Act funding for contributions to Canadian habitat projects.   Read More
Chincoteague NWR Enhancement Begins
DU, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is working on the restoration of 1,016 acres of managed wetlands on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in the Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia. Chincoteague is one of the most visited refuges in the country and best known for the fabled wild ponies, made famous by Marguerite Henry in her book Misty of Chincoteague. Read More
Golden Meadow Marsh Creation
Ducks Unlimited (DU) is working on a marsh creation project to restore 115 acres near Golden Meadow, Louisiana.  This marsh creation work is bordered by multiple restoration projects constructed by DU and other organizations, and the area is a high priority for the coastal restoration community. Beyond restoring wildlife habitat, projects like this one provide multiple benefits, including lessening storm surge and flooding during tropical storm events and providing water quality improvements and economic benefits. Read More
CCA and DU Team Up to Restore Dagger Island
Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA Texas) and the Building Conservation Trust (BCT), the national habitat program of CCA, have committed $250,000 to support efforts by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Ducks Unlimited to restore Dagger Island and protect important seagrass beds in Redfish Bay.
The People of DU
Bonnie and Keith Thames
Columbus, MS


In addition to being Heritage, Grand Slam Life, and Gold Feather Society sponsors, the Thames are convention delegates and very active volunteers. There aren’t many events in or around Mississippi where you won’t find them attending and lending a helping hand. Bonnie is a prime example of the way DU can connect non-hunters to conservation, too. Bonnie went duck hunting for the first time in 2018, more than 30 years after attending her first DU event and becoming a DU supporter. 

Auburn University Chapter  

Being a part of the Auburn University chapter allows these young men and women to have fun and network with fellow students while giving back to natural resources. This past year the chapter boasted a $51,000 increase in event income over the previous year. This earned them the title of Silver All-American Chapter for the 2018 calendar year, an honor shared by only three other chapters.  Read More
Public Policy
Mississippi:
Ducks Unlimited policy staff and Public Policy Committee member, Ashlee Smith, participated in the Congressional Black Caucus Policy Institute in Tunica, Miss. in early August.
South Carolina:
Director of Public Policy Ed Penny represented DU at South Carolina Night, a event held for South Carolina General Assembly members, at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Nashville, TN.
Tennessee:
Prior to the National Leadership Conference in Memphis, DU Director of Public Policy Ed Penny and Manager of Conservation Programs Tim Willis hosted a tour of DU NHQ and wetland projects at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's John Tully WMA for staff from the office of Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Alabama:
Director of Public Policy Ed Penny attended a signing ceremony with Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day.
Arkansas:
Director of Public Policy Ed Penny attended a ceremony with past DU President George Dunklin, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, members of the Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and others to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day.
Conservation Science & Planning
Ducks Unlimited Helps Educate Global Duck Experts

The 8 th North American Duck Symposium took place in Winnipeg, Canada on August 26-30. This year’s symposium was hosted by Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Province of Manitoba, Sustainable Development . Nearly 40 different presentations were provided by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. staff and or supported collaborations, including plenary presentations by DU Chief Scientist Tom Moorman, DU Sr. Science Advisor Dale Humburg, DU Director of Conservation Planning Dale James, DUC Chief Conservation Officer David Howerter, DUC Research Scientist Pascal Badiou and DUC Research Scientist Lauren Bortolotti.   Read More and see the photo album.
Staff Changes
New Biological Team Leader for the Gulf Coast Joint Venture 
Dr. Joe Lancaster began serving as Biological Team Leader for the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV) on July 15. Through this partner-funded, DU-administered position, Joe will lead waterfowl conservation planning and science for the GCJV partnership as part of the GCJV Office at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Joe comes to us from the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Forbes Biological Station, where he’s been serving as a Post-doctoral Research Assistant for the past 2 years. He obtained his B.S. from Lake Superior State University with a thesis on nesting waterfowl in North Dakota and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, where he focused on various aspects of wintering mallards in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. When not working, Joe enjoys duck hunting, boating, birding, and spending time with his wife, Jen, and 2 young daughters.
New Engineer for NM, TX, OK and south LA
Nick McCoy joined Team DU as a new engineer for NM, TX, OK and south LA. Nick earned his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisiana Lafayette with an emphasis on environmental and coastal engineering. He will be a big help in our expanding coastal work in LA and TX. In his spare time, Nick enjoys hunting, saltwater fishing, camping and playing coed-softball.
New Conservation Lands Coordinator
Josh Green began as the new Conservation Lands Coordinator for the Mississippi Alluvial Valley on Oct. 1. Josh has five years of experience as a real estate attorney at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. He has also worked for two different nonprofits dedicated to promoting sustainability in agriculture and conservation of land and natural resources – the Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Network and the Athens Land Trust. Josh holds a Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School and B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Mississippi.
New Project Manager - Southwest Unit
Barry Latiolais joined the Southern Region as the new Project Manager for the Southwest Unit on September 30 th . He will support our rapidly expanding Gulf Coast conservation programs in Louisiana and Texas. Barry has run a home inspection business the past couple of years, but he previously spent 11 years with Weatherford International in Houston, TX as a Business Analyst. There he was responsible for budgeting and forecasting for over 300 individual business units, both domestic and abroad. He was also responsible for process improvements and a host of other financial duties. Barry is a Rajin’ Cajun with a Business Administration degree from University of Louisiana Lafayette. He is a native of South Louisiana, and currently resides in Broussard, LA.
New Director of Foundation Relations
Andi Cooper will take on the Director of Foundation Relations for the Southern Region position starting October 7. Andi has worked alongside the Southern Region team for the last 12 years as the Communications Specialist, sharing news about the tremendous work DU does in the region. Recently, Andi earned a master’s degree in public relations from Ball State University. She focused her thesis and coursework on understanding the corporate sustainability culture that is driving DU’s conservation success with corporate philanthropy. Her master’s in public relations complements her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi State University in wildlife science.
Awards
The Southern Region Fundraising & Development Teams Knocked It Out of the Park Again This Year!
Development Awards:

  • National DOD of the Year - Matt Bunn
  • National DOD Team of the Year - Southern Region
  • National Gift Planner of the Year - Jeromy Rutledge
  • Regional DOD of the Year - Shawn Battison
  • Double Down Award (DODs achieving goals in both New Commitments and New Cash) - Colton McCarty, Matt Bunn, Bob Locke, Corey Dunn, Ashley Sutherland, Chip Heaps, Shawn Battison, Will Johnson
  • Trifecta Award (DODs achieving New Commitment Goal for three consecutive years) - Colton McCarty, Matt Bunn, Shawn Battison
  • $1 Million Club - Colton McCarty, Corey Dunn, Bob Dew, Chip Heaps, Shawn Battison, Will Johnson
  • $2 Million Club - Matt Bunn

Event Fundraising Awards:

  • National RD Team of the Year - Region 8 (TX, OK, NM)
  • National RD of the Year – Dillon Schroeder
  • National New RD of the Year – Randall Foster
  • National Top 10 in Total Budget Income Dollars – Shawn Kooyman, Mike Wilson, Russ Hawley, Zac Brown, Brett Bainter & Rob Wilson
  • National Top 10 Dollar Growth in Budget Income – Jason McKey, Mike Wilson, Jimbo Robinson, Dillon Schroeder, Jarrett Lafferty, Randall Foster, James Meadows & Brett Bainter
  • New Senior RDs – Tye Anderson and Jimbo Robinson
  • Top Region - Revenue Growth - Budget Income - Jason McKey
  • Top Region - Percentage Growth - Budget Income - Dillon Schroeder
  • Top Region - Total Revenue Raised - Regional Income - Jason McKey
  • Top Region - Revenue Growth - Regional Income - Jason McKey
  • Top Region - Regional Income - Percentage Growth - Scott James
  • Top Region - Existing Business Revenue Growth - Mike Wilson
  • Top Region - Existing Business - Percentage Growth - Mike Wilson
  • Top Region - New Business - Jason McKey
  • Top Region - New to Lost Ratio - Randall Foster
  • Top Region - Event Attendance Percentage Growth - Dillon Schroeder
  • Top Region - Total Volunteers - Tye Anderson
  • Top Region - Net Volunteer Growth - James Meadows
  • Grand Slam Award (BI growth, existing growth in EBI, new/lost EBI, volunteer and attendance increases) – Bob Butler, Charlie Lowery, Hunter Pridgen, Jarrett Lafferty, Tanner Quattlebaum, Jason McKey, Randall Foster, and Dillon Schroeder
  • Million Dollar Club – Jason McKey, Zac Brown, Mike Wilson, Scott James, Russ Hawley, Shawn Kooyman, Brett Bainter, Derrick Davis, James Meadows, Rob Wilson & Jimbo Robinson
  • Wetlands Warrior Award – Dave Neal
  • RD of the Year Region 4 – Bob Butler
  • RD of the Year Region 7 – James Meadows
  • RD of the Year Region 8 – Dillon Schroeder
Other Regions

See what's going on around the country in the other Ducks Unlimited regions. Check out their e-newsletters.
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