DU annually celebrates individuals championing North American wetland and waterfowl conservation
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – March 12, 2025 – Ducks Unlimited (DU) announced the winners of the 2025 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to North America’s wetlands and waterfowl conservation and restoration. The awards were presented at the 90th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Each year, Ducks Unlimited proudly acknowledges the contributions of individuals to wetland and waterfowl conservation across North America. These dedicated partners, colleagues and leaders are vital in conserving these essential resources,” said DU Chief Conservation Officer Dr. Karen Waldrop. “DU moves forward with our collective conservation mission because of dedicated individuals working together, and this year’s winners highlight the impact of this unified passion. DU is honored to recognize their achievements.”
The 2025 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award winners are:
Federal Elected/Appointed Official
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito is a champion for conservation through her leadership as the chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. She has been instrumental in advancing key conservation priorities, including the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act and the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act last year. These legislative actions reauthorized crucial programs like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which has supported over 3,300 projects and conserved nearly 33 million acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat. Sen. Capito’s efforts also helped renew the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) program and reauthorized the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which has restored over 6 million acres of habitat. Her leadership and contributions leave a legacy for wetlands and wildlife conservation in West Virginia and North America.
Federal Agency Employee
Mike Slattery, regional landscape conservation coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region 5
Mike Slattery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional landscape conservation coordinator for the Northeast Region 5, has been a key figure in conservation for more than 35 years. His leadership has impacted ecosystems and wildlife, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds. Slattery has been a steadfast partner, playing a crucial role in programs like the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program and the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense. Slattery has helped secure millions of dollars for habitat restoration through these initiatives and supported landowners in underserved areas. Slattery’s contributions are vital for advancing DU’s conservation efforts, and his leadership continues to shape the future of wetlands and wildlife protection.
State Elected/Appointed Official
Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine prioritizes conservation through his unprecedented H2Ohio initiative, which focuses on improving water quality, restoring wetlands and protecting Lake Erie. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio addresses issues like the algal bloom crisis and agricultural runoff threatening Lake Erie and drinking water for thousands of Ohioans. With a $900 million budget, the program has led to significant accomplishments, including 203 wetland restorations, 2.2 million acres of farmland enrolled in nutrient management, and over $450 million invested in Ohio’s water quality. H2Ohio’s expansion includes the Rivers Initiative to protect Ohio’s pristine rivers. DU has benefited from 16 H2Ohio grants totaling $12.5 million, restoring nearly 2,000 acres of wetlands. Gov. DeWine’s leadership has contributed to conserving Ohio’s water resources and wetland habitats.
State/Provincial Agency
Brian Sullivan, wetlands program coordinator, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Brian Sullivan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wetlands program coordinator, has significantly contributed to wetlands and waterfowl conservation over his 17-year career. He has developed and managed the state’s Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program, facilitating 511 wetland and riparian projects, enhancing 47,000 wetland acres and 7,300 riparian acres. Through his leadership, the program has invested nearly $52 million in wetland conservation. Sullivan has championed the Fall Flights program, investing $645,000 to protect and restore wetland habitat in Canada, benefiting Colorado’s waterfowl populations. Sullivan has fostered key partnerships with organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DU and Playa Lakes Joint Venture.
Joel Ferry, executive director, Utah Department of Natural Resources
As executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since June 2022, Joel Ferry has been a key leader in advancing wetland and waterfowl conservation in Utah. A fifth-generation farmer from Corinne, Utah, Ferry’s ranch includes floodplain wetlands where his family has made significant habitat improvements, including wetland enhancement and invasive species removal. His passion for conservation was further demonstrated during his time as a Utah State House Representative, where he sponsored important legislation such as H.B. 33, which allows water users to send water to the Great Salt Lake, and co-sponsored H.B. 410, establishing the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. At the Utah DNR, he leads critical efforts in collaboration with DU and other partners. He has supported DU-led projects like the Lower Bear River Restoration and played a pivotal role in securing $50 million from the Bureau of Reclamation for Great Salt Lake conservation. His leadership and dedication have been essential to the success of DU’s conservation program in Utah, and the partnership with the Utah DNR is crucial for protecting the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
Communications
Trey Reid, assistant chief of communications, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Trey Reid, assistant chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), has dedicated his life to telling the conservation story in ways that inspire understanding and action. From his early days as a reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to his pivotal role at the AGFC, Reid has used the power of storytelling to connect people with the land, the wildlife, and the efforts that protect them. Since joining AGFC in 2007, Reid has been at the forefront of transformative projects, working alongside DU and other partners to safeguard Arkansas’ vital wetland habitats. His involvement in the Arkansas Greentree Reservoir Management Initiative (GTR), a key conservation program designed to address the challenges posed by timber die-offs and restore critical floodplain ecosystems, has been crucial. Reid played an instrumental role in the public outreach efforts surrounding the GTR renovations, including hosting town hall meetings and educational campaigns across the state.
Research/Technical
Dr. Megan Lang, chief scientist, United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory
Dr. Megan Lang, chief scientist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetland Inventory (NWI), has played a pivotal role in tracking wetland changes across the United States and developing new mapping technologies to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of wetland data collection. Her leadership in producing the Wetlands Status and Trends report (2009–2019) and the forthcoming report for the Prairie Pothole Region has been critical in supporting DU’s conservation planning and policy development. As the head of the New Mapping Technology workgroup, Dr. Lang has advanced innovative methods for mapping wetlands, ensuring a timelier and more accurate NWI dataset. This is essential for DU’s efforts to track wetland changes and support ongoing conservation initiatives. Her collaboration with DU and her dedication to improving the science behind wetland mapping have made a lasting impact.
Local/Private Conservation
Kevin Shafer, executive director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Kevin Shafer, executive director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), transformed MMSD into a global leader in sustainable wastewater management by integrating watershed-scale wetland restoration into the region’s infrastructure. His 25-year strategic plan focuses on eliminating sewer overflows by 2035 and includes ambitious goals such as restoring 4,000 acres of wetlands and planting 6 million trees. Under Shafer’s leadership, MMSD launched the Reforestation and Wetland Restoration Program and the Green Seams program, securing 3,000 acres of land for restoration. In collaboration with DU and other partners, these programs have improved the region’s natural infrastructure and water quality while creating significant wildlife habitat accessible to diverse user groups. Shafer’s ability to leverage capital and build effective partnerships is instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the region’s wetlands and ecosystems. His innovative approach and dedication to integrating wetland restoration into wastewater management set a global example for environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Wetlands Conservation Legacy Award
Ted LaGrange, wetland program manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Ted LaGrange, wetland program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission since 1993, is instrumental in conserving the state’s wetlands. Over his career, he has contributed to protecting and restoring more than 100,000 wetland acres, playing a key role in projects like the Loup and Wood Duck Wildlife Management Area restoration projects. LaGrange also founded the Wetland Incentives Program, restoring private lands often excluded from federal programs.
He has secured over $112 million in grants, supporting initiatives from invasive plant control to studying carp’s effects on wetland ecosystems. LaGrange has co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and critical documents like the Wetland Management Guidelines and Nebraska’s Wetland Program Plan, which was the first to receive the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a leader in outreach, spearheading the Wetlands of Nebraska project, which reached thousands through educational videos and curriculum. He is deeply connected to Nebraska’s conservation community, collaborating with more than 30 organizations, including DU, and holding key roles on Joint Venture boards that have extended his impact to wetlands across the Great Plains. He also mentors students and professionals, providing invaluable guidance.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing wetlands and grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 19 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent comprehensive campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
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