Winchester recently announced it has contributed more than $500,000 over the past seven years to the historic Ducks Unlimited (DU) Conservation for a Continent Campaign. The campaign generated an unprecedented $4.06 billion for continental conservation and stands as the most ambitious conservation campaign ever undertaken on behalf of North America’s wetlands and waterfowl.
Winchester is the official ammunition of DU. Over the last 30 years, the legendary company has maintained a vital partnership with the organization, providing critical funding and support for wetlands conservation that helps ensure the future of waterfowl and their habitat. Every box of Winchester waterfowl ammunition proudly showcases the DU logo and promotes its mission.
“The work that Ducks Unlimited does for wetlands conservation has a tremendous impact on habitat that directly benefits waterfowl and other wildlife,” said Jason Gilbertson, senior director of marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “The Conservation for a Continent Campaign is a significant achievement, and Winchester is honored to be recognized as a major supporter.”
Launched in 2019 at DU’s 89th Annual National Convention in Tampa, Fla., the Conservation for a Continent campaign set the unheard-of goal to secure $3 billion. Thanks to overwhelming support of more than two million contributors, that target was surpassed in seven short years.
Fifteen million acres of North America had been conserved when the campaign began. The effort ultimately helped DU surpass 20 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat conserved since 1937. The $4.06 billion is being invested in landscape-level conservation across the continent to safeguard breeding grounds, migration corridors and wintering habitats that waterfowl and wildlife depend on.
“This campaign is the culmination of thousands of acts of generosity, passion and commitment to something larger than ourselves by our volunteers and contributors,” said Mike Benge, Conservation for a Continent campaign chairman.
