Summer/Fall 2012 Official Newsletter of Minnesota … Content/_documents/Summer-F… · Summer/Fall...

Cattails Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited in cooperation with the Minnesota DNR constructed a new water control structure at the outlet to Bear Lake in Freeborn County. The photo to the left shows construction of part of the new control structure.

TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING

BEAR LAKE ENHANCEMENT

The Bear Lake enhancement structure

replaces the old dam that was deteriorating

and allowed carp to migrate into the lake

from downstream.

More on about the Bear Lake Enhancement on Page 6.

Special points of interest:

• Win Mitchell Tribute Event

• Greenwings in Minnesota

• DU Canada’s Research in the Saskatchewan Delta

• Feather Society Info

• Minnesota at the 75th DU National Convention

Inside this issue: Chairman’s Chatter

2

Greenwings in Minnesota

3

Win Mitchell Tribute Weekend

4

Wadena’s Return Event

5

Bear Lake Dam Project

6

Minnesota Artist’s Corner

9

Summerberry Marsh Research

10

Project Hall of Fame

8

National Conven-tion Photos

11

Feather Society Form

13

Official Newsletter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited Summer/Fall 2012


Early in August, I hopped into my 1975 Lund Snipe powered by a 1958 3-hp Evinrude and took a spin around the lake behind my house. My dog sat in her usual command post at the bow, making certain there weren’t any missed retrieves as we skipped along. Every once in awhile, she would look back at me wondering what we were doing, if as to say, “I’m ready if you need me to go for a swim.” After a 30-minute ride around the lake, I headed back to my makeshift landing. I was taken aback by the light green brilliance of the willows hugging the shoreline. They were in stark contrast to the oaks. The oaks were beginning to show a tattered look from the heat and wind of this summer, maybe the first visible sign that summer is starting to wind down. As I pulled my boat back on the trailer, I started to create a mental checklist of things I need to get done before the opener. I have the usual list of things to do: Replace decoy weights lost last season. There are a few decoys that need a splash of paint or are in need of reflocking. Somehow all of my motors have been run this summer so I know they are in good shape. Most of my duck boat blinds need a once over. I need to contact my U.S. senators and representative. What? How did that make it on to my list? Ducks Unlimited’s success in achieving it’s vision; “Filling the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever,” is critically linked to policy. There are two very important pieces of legislation that will have a profound impact on the future of waterfowl: the Farm Bill and reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, also known as NAWCA. The Farm Bill contains conservation components like the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Con-servation Reserve Program (CRP) and Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP) that are critical to fulfilling the life cycle of waterfowl. These conservation components are needed to help drive conservation in a time when significant pressure is being placed on the landscape. To learn more about the Farm Bill, please visit:: www.ducks.org/conservation/farm-bill/du-fights-for-full-fiveyear-farm-bill-with-conservation-funding-intact?poe=8-3wa Since its inception 25 years ago, NAWCA has contributed to over 2,000 projects conserving 25 mil-lion acres across North America. Just be-fore NAWCA was set to expire in Septem-ber, Congress passed a Continuing Resolu-tion to fund the federal government (and, as a result, NAWCA) for six months, which will run out in March 2013. This is a critical time to impress upon your legislators the importance of reauthorizing NWCA this spring. To learn more about NAWCA, visit DU's Public Policy homepage at: http://www.ducks.org/conservation/public-policy The time to act is now: get up to speed on the specifics and contact your U.S. legisla-tors today. DU provides online resources to help you find and contact your represen-tative. DU needs an additional 15 minutes of your time, so you can help make a legis-lative difference for the future of the sport we all enjoy and love so much. Thank you for all that you do for the ducks.

State Chairman’s Chatter

Your Minnesota DU State Committee State Chair Dave Flink Hutchinson, MN 320-587-4246 [email protected]

State Council Chair Less Ness Chisago City, MN 651-257-6413 [email protected]

State Chair Elect Tim Roble Frazee, MN 218-334-4701 [email protected]

State Treasurer Dan Scheffler Northfield, MN 507-291-0311 [email protected]

State Volunteer Recruitment Coord. Dale Lusti Buffalo, MN 763-682-3468 [email protected]

State Convention Chairs Myron and Kathy Stevens Garrison, MN 218-764-3447 [email protected]

State Major Gift Chair Russ Klint Benson, MN 320-239-4322 [email protected]

Summer/Fall 2012

Dave Flink, State Chair

Dave’s dog Gabby


Hunt with your son or daughter

today, and you won’t

have to hunt for

them tomorrow.

Summer/Fall 2012

Greenwings in Minnesota

By Jason Evans, Minnesota Greenwing Chair

Waterfowl opener 1994, I was 22 years old and heading out to a marsh in Southern Minnesota with a 12 year old kid who had recently completed firearms safety training. Earlier in the week a family friend said his son had been talking about duck hunting and asked if I would mind taking him along. Back then the opener started at noon but we wanted to get out early and secure our spot. It started raining not long after we arrived and let’s just say sitting in the rain for hours on end can put any waterfowler to the test, especially for a 12 year old on his first hunt. But he was a trooper and sat there asking me ques-tions about guns, ducks, decoys, and dogs. I just listened and hoped I had the answers. Shooting time arrived and so did the ducks. Mallards and wood ducks, but mostly teal came to visit us. We didn’t quite shoot our limit that day but I knew he was hooked when he asked, “Can I come again tomorrow?” Not long after he joined Ducks Unlimited as a Greenwing, eventually became a local com-mittee member, and then a bronze sponsor - which he still is today. Understanding that youth are the future of conservation, Ducks Unlimited's Greenwing program is de-signed to introduce kids to the outdoors and waterfowling. Greenwings are members of Ducks Unlimited who are age 17 and younger. Cost of membership is $15 per year. Benefits include membership card and certificate, decals and magazine subscription. Currently Minnesota leads the nation with approximately 4400 Greenwing members. This accomplishment has been attained in large part due to the strong volun-teer base the organization has acquired. A number of events happen each year around the state specifically geared toward Greenwings. These generally consist of youth banquets where games, raffles, and conservation ideas are introduced. Many adult banquets are now starting to have youth activities and raffles. Greenwing memberships can be pur-chased at these dinner events also. Mentor hunts are another great way to introduce kids to the outdoors. Ducks Unlimited has teamed up with Minnesota DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other national and local organizations to give kids a unique hunting experience at different locations around the state. This hunt is available to all youth ages 12-15 that have completed a firearms safety course. Parents and guardians, along with a men-tor, must accompany the youth at all times. After applying, participants will be selected by lottery. More information will be available on the Minnesota DNR website. Ducks Unlimited committees are always looking for volunteers who have an interest in promoting Green-wing activities. This could be anything from volunteering at a youth hunt to helping with a Greenwing banquet. All volunteers are welcome. As legendary sportsman Herb Parsons once said, “Hunt with your son or daughter today, and you won’t have to hunt for them tomorrow.”

Greenwing event at the Northwest Sportsmen Show in Minneapolis in March 2012

2011 Greenwing hunters at the Youth Waterfowl Opener


The Win Mitchell Tribute Weekend

Summer/Fall 2012

The Win Mitchell Tribute Weekend actually consisted of three separate fund-raising events. The first event was the Northfield 25th Annual Golf Tournament on July 19, 2012. Nearly 72 golfers in four-person teams participated in a scramble golf tournament for fun and prizes. The event included special games like trying to land a golf ball in a duckboat on one of the water hazard ponds and pitching a ball onto a green filled with full-body Canada Goose decoys. The event was held at the Northfield Golf Club and included a fund-raising dinner with golf awards, games, silent and live auctions after golfing. The second event was Fun Shoot and Hog/Win Roast at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt

Club. This event was held on Friday afternoon and evening of July 20, 2012. Several shooting teams com-peted for awards and prizes and then an outdoor hog roast was held, rais-ing more funds. The last event was a Tribute Dinner event again at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club. This event was held Saturday evening after a DU project tour earlier in the day. The three-event tribute qualified as a 75th Diamond Anniversary Event for Minnesota and raised $58,000 for the ducks. In addition, pledges in honor of Win are at $225,000 and counting. The funds raised and pledged will support DU’s Living Lakes Initiative, with major donors recognized on a cairn at the Win Mitchell Family Tribute Project—the DU Cory Lake project in Lac qui Parle County.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr shares stories of Win with

attendees of the Tribute Dinner on Saturday evening.

Wins thanks every-one who attended the Tribute Dinner.

Win Mitchell

has been

involved with

Minnesota DU

for over 30

years. Bill Aldinger presents Win with an engraved DU auto-matic shotgun.

Win shows off his new gun!

The tribute

qualified as

a 75th

Anniversary

Diamond

Event.


Summer/Fall 2012

December strategic planning session

Wadena County had been one of the few counties in Minnesota without a DU event. That all changed this past spring when a core of waterfowlers got together to start the Wadena committee. The group started small, but had their first event with a Sportsmen’s Night Out (SNO) on May 3, 2012. The event raised nearly $2,500; an auspicious start for the fledgling chapter. This past summer the committee continued to organize and strengthen, while planning for a standard dinner event. The event was held September 27, 2012, at The Cove restaurant just north of Wadena. Fifty-six people attended the event and nearly $4,000 was raised for the ducks. The committee continues to grow and look for new help for next year’s event. If interested in helping, contact Frank Bond at or 218-482-1181 or [email protected]

Wadena County has First Event in 15 Years

Volunteer Spotlight—Kyle Thaemlitz

I was born in 1962 in Lakefield, MN. I went to college at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, where I met my wife of 24 years Donna. I have a daughter, Allison, a sophomore at U of M Morris and a son, Mark, a senior at Jackson County Central. He signed up to go into the Marines in 2013 on their delayed entry program. My hunt-ing career started when I was 5 years old. I started duck hunting with my father with a single shot .410. We would hunt a small slough next to South Heron Lake in Jackson County. I looked for-ward to every fall. I loved 30 mph wind, snow, 30-degree temps (except when I would find a hole in my waders). I have been able to experience many incredible moments while duck hunting. I've been in fields being circled by 5000 mallards and not firing a shot because I was awed listening to the whistling of the wings. I have seen incredible sunrises and am left speechless by God's work. I have hunted for 45 years in southwest Minnesota, pursuing almost everything except moose and elk. I have also been able to sea duck hunt in Blaine, Wash., and in Bos-ton Harbor, Mass. I've been caribou hunting in Canada’s North-west Terrtiories and elk hunting in Montana. Of all the hunting I’ve done, I love duck hunting the best. My passion for duck hunting has led me to be a member of DU. I became a sponsor in 2000, a life sponsor in 2004, and a diamond sponsor in 2012. I became a zone chair in 2009 and area chair in 2012. I believe in DU and what they stand for. I will always be doing something for DU.

Todd Larson, Justin Roggenkamp, Cody Fields, Steve Pinella, and Frank Bond display the DU banner at their first event.

After a 15- Year hiatus, DU has

two events in one year.

Frank and Cindy Bond pose at the registration table for the SNO Event.


Bear Lake, southwest of Albert Lea, is one of the premier waterfowl lakes of southern Minne-sota. According to the DNR, the 1,560-acre lake has been recognized for its wildlife benefits and managed to protect its resources for over a century. The lake was designated a Wildlife Management Lake in 1972 and is also designated as a Waterfowl Resting and Feeding Area. These designations recognize the lake’s special value for waterfowl production and migration habitat. The topographic map from the 1970s, at left, shows the amount of emergent vegetation creating a hemi-marsh condition, ideal for waterfowl. Submerged vegetation was also abundant during this period. Recently, however, the lake has become so severely degraded that is has not provided the wa-terfowl production and migration value that it should and has in the past. Although the lake does receive significant farmland runoff, the primary problem is too many carp and other rough fish. As in many southern Minnesota lakes, the carp root around in the sediments, uprooting plants, resuspending nutrients, and stirring up mud, resulting in turbid open water that further limits growth of plants and invertebrates for waterfowl. In June 2010, the Wildlife Lake Survey showed only eight percent of the lake having submerged vegetation (see figure below). Emer-gent vegetation was nonexistent except for cattail mats along the margin of the lake. The Au-gust 2011 survey found the only waterfowl using the lake was one Canada goose.

Bear Lake Enhancement—Ten Years in the Making

Summer/Fall 2012

The dam

needed to

be fixed so

it didn’t

wash out!

In 2004 and 2005, the DNR tried to manage the lake with drawdowns, but the deteriorated control structure made man-agement difficult and the lack of fish screens allowed carp to quickly swim into the lake from the downstream creek. The DNR went to legislators to get funds to fix the out-let structure. In 2008, the legislature approved dam repair funds in the bonding bill. DNR staff called on DU to design and built the new water control structure. The structure is big even by DU stan-dards, with six large flow-through bays, each divided into two smaller bays. The entire structure

Aerial view of the Bear Lake outlet at the south of end of the lake


is near 100 feet long and includes a steel walkway across the dam. The dam, channel improve-ments, and other auxiliary outlet structures cost $446,000. Construction work started in January of 2012 with the building of a temporary coffer dam and

bypass culverts. The old dam was then demolished except for some of the original foundation. Con-crete forms and concrete were placed in February and most of the concrete had been poured by the middle of March. The warm, dry winter helped construction pro-ceed through winter and the lack of runoff from snowmelt allowed the work to continue through the spring. The steel walkway and fish screens were installed by early April. The improvements to the outlet channel, including cleanout, installation of a trash fence, and riprap installation were done in May and June. By early July, high

water overflow depressions along the access road were also completed and the project was finished.

The next step is to get a management plan finalized for opera-tion of the newly reconstructed dam. DNR is taking the lead on obtaining input on the management plan. A June 2012 draft can be found at: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/wildlife/shallowlakes/bear-lake-dmp.pdf The goal of the plan is to re-store and maintain waterfowl and wildlife habitat. This will be accomplished by different types of drawdowns to improve vege-tation abundance and drastically reduce the carp populations.

Photos courtesy of Josh Kavanaugh of DU. Information for this article came from DNR reports and plans and the Albert Lea Tribune.

Bear Lake Enhancement (Continued)

Summer/Fall 2012

DU specializes

in the

construction of

these

complicated

water control

structures.

The finished structure ready for operation

Building a coffer dam and demolishing the old dam were the first steps during construction.

The contractors pouring concrete last February.

A closeup of the dam showing the walkway, fish screens, and outlet bays

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/wildlife/shallowlakes/bear-lake-dmp.pdf�





The control structure at the east end of the impoundment

This aerial photograph shows the extent of the Sugar Lake Impoundment with the access road coming in on the north end. (Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s WPA Mapper website)

Summer/Fall 2012

Ducks Unlimited has been conserving habitat in Minne-sota since 1985. There are literally hundreds of DU projects scattered across

Minnesota. In fact, many of the water control structures on federal waterfowl pro-duction areas (WPAs) and state wildlife management areas (WMAs) were de-

signed and built as Ducks Unlimited projects. This

column is a regular feature devoted to describing some

of these older projects.

The Sugar Lake Impound-ment was one of Ducks

Unlimited’s earliest projects in Minnesota. It was built in 1990 in cooperation with the

Minnesota DNR and the U.S. Forest Service. It is located near Sugar Lake, just west of Lake Win-

nibigoshish, in the central part of Chippewa National Forest. It is one of several

impoundments DU worked on about that time within the

national forest boundary. The watercontrol structure consists of a drop structure

on a large dike along the northeast portion of the im-

poundment.

The basin is surrounded by a DNR-owned WMA and is

open to public hunting. The access road comes in off

Forest Road 2171 north of the impoundment. The ac-cess road follows a portion

of the dike and allows carry-in boat access at a couple of

locations.

The project was visited in July and was in drawdown status. Even with the wet

early summer, the impound-ment was down two feet.

Wild rice was abundant and was shaping up to be a good

crop for waterfowl.

PROJECT HALL OF FAME—SUGAR LAKE IMPOUNDMENT

The Sugar Lake Impound-ment is on Sugar Lake Wild-life Management Area.

The impoundment contains a lot of old timber snags and has extensive wild rice beds in the

bays, around the islands, and along the margin. The wild

rice is visible in the photograph above.


Summer/Fall 2012

Minnesota Artists’ Corner—Jim Kasper

For Jim Kasper, choosing a career as a wildlife artist was both a victory and a process of honest self-examination. When it came to that crucial crossroads, Jim says, “Art was the only choice that stood up to the criteria of what I wanted. It was just part of my being. So the creative process won out over other interests.” It was his love of the outdoors, however, that compelled Jim to focus on wildlife art. Growing up in the lake country region of central Minnesota, Jim developed a keen interest and knowledge of the region’s bountiful wildlife. Capturing his environment on canvas, he admits was, “a natural direction for somebody who just loves nature.” Following high school, Jim attended the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After graduating, Jim began his professional career working as an artist in the Kansas City, Missouri headquarters of Hallmark greeting cards. Although he counts his time at Hallmark as among the most valuable of learning opportu-nities, his love of the lake country eventually drew him back to Minnesota. Working in acrylics, Jim explains the creative process begins with extensive field experi-ence. “Usually it is spurred on by some event during my travels that inspires me to paint a specific incident. Then I filter the event through my life experiences to create an artwork that is accurate and exciting. I believe that the more vast my experience with the subject, the greater the flexibility and potential I have to create a painting that is more focused, authentic and enthusiastically presented.” With each new artwork, Jim strives to communicate a clear message while advancing the mastery of his craft. In viewing his art, Jim reflects, “I want the viewer to be moved emo-tionally to the extent that they have a clear view that nature provides this rich diversity of wildlife and habitats–an unlimited resource of beauty and the opportunity to enjoy it.” The great challenge, he says, is to continue improving the quality of his art, to grow artistically and become the best artist possible. Jim is an active conservationist who has supported many organizations and received nu-merous awards of distinction. He has been honored as the Featured Artist at the Minne-sota and Northern Wisconsin Deer Classics. The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association chose Jim as its Artist of the Year three times. Jim was commissioned twice to create the design for the Illinois Habitat Stamp. He was recognized by the Wildlife Heritage Associa-tion and Geese Unlimited as Artist of the Year, and has received an Award of Merit at the Wildlife & Western Art Collectors Society Show in Minneapolis. Jim has created fund-raising art prints for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation and The Ruffed Grouse Society. His works have also been featured in numerous magazines and on many nature-themed products. Jim counts himself as one of those blessed to work in a field they truly enjoy. “I am very fortunate to have a profession that allows me to make a living and is something I love to do,” he says. “It’s the core of who I am.”

Artwork provided courtesy of the artist and Wild Wings. 800-445-4833 www.wildwings.com

One of Jim’s newest paintings is titled “Brief Pose – Ruffed Grouse”.

One of Jim’s common subjects is loons, such as these in “Seasons of the Lake—Fall Loons”.


Lest we forget, DU spends millions of dollars in Canada to produce ducks that migrate south through Minnesota. This article highlights research work DU Canada has done in Manitoba.

The Summerberry Marsh Complex is located at the Lower Saskatchewan River Delta (SRD) just southeast of The Pas, Manitoba. The marsh complex consists of 37,050 acres between the Saskatche-wan and Summerberry rivers. From 1979 to 1981, DU installed 28 water control structures within the complex to allow for impounding and drawing down water in the basins. Because management efforts for the structures were experiencing mixed results, DU Canada took on a massive research project to assess the effects of different water level treatments on the ecology in six wetland basins.

The research was comprehensive and complicated and had four main elements: 1. Effects of water-level management on water chemistry and algal production: Baseline water

quality and chemistry data was gathered and then again after the partial drawdowns were initi-ated. The water chemistry testing consisted of nitrogen and phosphorus analyses. In addition, nutrient-diffusing substrata were used to determine which nutrients were lacking.

2. Response of vegetation to water-level management: This required detailed mapping of several types of vegetation in each basin and recurring mapping each year of the four-year study.

3. Effects of water-level management on waterfowl and marsh birds: Historical data showed a drop in waterfowl numbers since the early years after the control structures were built. In addi-tion to ducks, the study also looked at populations of herons, grebes, rails, and coots.

4. Effects of water-level management on muskrats: Muskrats were live-trapped and fitted with an ear tag and leg band so they could be recaptured to provide population data for statistical analy-sis. Blood samples and other health data were gathered to understand the muskrat’s response to drawdown. No significant reductions in muskrat populations were seen.

The research has provided a lot of insight, but has also identified the need for more research to see how the habitat and wildlife elements respond to reflooding. This project shows the effort that DU expends to gather the best data to make the best decisions for managing wetlands to increase water-fowl. One of DU’s core values is to make science-based decisions to guide our programs and ensure credibility. This research shows that DU is doing that and, hopefully, it will provide information to ensure more waterfowl make the trip from Manitoba to Minnesota each fall. Minnesotans support this research through the DNR’s Annual State Grant for the SRD (see photo below). This article only skims the surface of this amazing research. For the full report and more information, please go to: http://www.ducks.ca/assets/2012/06/summerberryfinalreport.pdf?9d7bd4

Summerberry Marsh Research Project—The Pas, Manitoba

Summerberry

research has

provided many

insights into DU’s

management in

the Saskatchewan

River Delta.

An aerial view of the Saskatchewan River Delta

Summer/Fall 2012

One of the water control structure managed by DU Canada

Study Wetland 14R with the control struc-ture in the bottom left.

Former MNDNR Commis-sioner Mark Holsten (left) and current Asst. Com-missioner Dave Schad at the dedi-cation cere-mony thank-ing Minneso-tans and the MNDNR for their contributions to work in the SRD


Summer/Fall 2012

DU convention attendees took over the Grand Ole Opry for a country music show featuring Diamond Rio.

The 75th DU Convention started out with a packed ball-room for the DU Family Reunion.

Photographs from the 75th DU National Convention in Nashville, TN

One of the highlights of the convention was the country music bands with stunning laser light shows.

The 75th DU Convention Banquet raised $250,000, includ-ing $25,000 for this original David Maass painting of canvas-backs over a DU project cairn.

The 75th DU

National

Convention was

held at the

Gaylord

Opryland

Convention

Center.

The Gaylord Opry-land Convention Center is really three large hotels, each grouped around a covered atrium area with trees, waterfalls, restaurants, shops, patios, rides, and fountains.


Summer/Fall 2012

Minnesotans (from left) Lee Ness, Tim Roble, Carrie Roble, Bonnie Durdahl, Ken Durdahl, Dave Flink, Shari Flink, Kris Ross, and Brian Ross

Minnesota DU at the National Convention in Nashville

Over 50

Minnesotans

attended the

75th DU

National

Convention in

Nashville.

Shari Flink (center) and Dave Flink (right) present DU President John Newman with 75th anniversary quilts handmade by Shari.

Most of the Minnesota contingent attended dinner at a local night club, a National Convention tradition on Friday night. Here they pose for a group photo on the front porch of the house-turned-restaurant-and-night-club.

Another Minnesota table at the convention banquet with (from left) Ruth Hoefs, Linda & Jerry Weltzin, Greg & Michelle Erickson, Deb & Rob Eisenmenger, John Marks, Karen Gaasvig, and Kevin Thoma.

What is the Feather society?When you joined Ducks Unlimited, you demonstrated your care and concern for wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Now, you can help DU ensure the future of these beloved resources for your children and your grandchildren by joining the Feather Society. The members of this prestigious group of DU supporters choose to include Ducks Unlimited in their estate plans. Careful planning often allows Feather Society members to enjoy substantial tax advantages while supporting DU’s vital

conservation mission. Feather Society members proudly wear distinctive lapel pins and are acknowledged each year in the Ducks Unlimited Annual Report.

Ways oF GivinG to the Feather society:Wills – an excellent way to provide not only for your loved ones, but also by donating to Ducks Unlimited a specific dollar amount, specific property, or a percentage or all of “what’s left.”

Life Insurance – one of the simplest ways to make a significant gift in the future is by naming Ducks Unlimited as beneficiary to receive all or a portion of the proceeds of an existing or new policy.

Retirement Plan – offers a variety of tax-advantaged ways to use IRA/401k or other tax-qualified retirement plan assets in charitable gift planning.

Trusts – facilitate the giving of property, consolidate assets for estate administration, create control, provide tax-planning alternatives and deal with issues of mental or physical incapacity. (Examples: Revocable living trust, Irrevocable trust, Credit shelter trust, and Charitable remainder trust.)

Land/Real Estate – Do you own a home or other property you no longer want? Make a charitable gift of it to DU and you could avoid capital gains, yet provide tax favorable income.

Charitable Gift Annuity – fund with cash or appreciated assets and benefit from immediate charitable tax deduction and immediate or deferred payments. In most cases, the payments are substantially higher than what current CDs or money markets are generating and not subject to market risk or fluctuations. The payments are for life or lives (if a joint account), meaning you cannot outlive the income. The residual will be used by DU to continue its conservation programs.

endoWment: hoW and Why?When your gift matures, the principal of your gift is left intact, while the income generated by your gift provides permanent funding for DU’s vital conservation programs. The sustained base of income that the endowment provides is essential to the continued success of DU on conserving critical habitat for waterfowl, other wildlife and mankind.

the Feather Society

For additional inFormation call:Sarah McCallumDirector of Gift [email protected]

Make a coMMitMent to Future GenerationS.

Join the Feather Society.


For articles and inserts, please send to Cattails Editor:

Brian Ross

14380 Memorywood Drive Baxter, MN 56425

Phone: 218-825-0996 E-mail:

[email protected]

6101 Kaymar Drive Edina, MN 55436

Phone: 952-820-8174

Email: [email protected]

The Roseau Greenwings display the decoys donated to the chapter at the Roseau event this past spring. In case you need to know how many, there are 47 Greenwings.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Es-tablished in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres, thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the conti-nent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works to-ward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

MINNESOTA DUCKS UNLIMITED

You are Ducks Unlimited

ducks.org

www.ducks.org/how-to-help/volunteer/signup

VOLUNTEERVOLUNTEER www.ducks.org/NeedDucks

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