The Top 100 is one of the most highly sought-after titles of recognition Ducks Unlimited offers to its local chapters.
Each year, the list is comprised of the top 100 fundraising chapters in the United States that raise up to $100,000 through fundraising activities in their communities. Through the efforts of these volunteer committees DU is able to pursue its mission of conserving, enhancing and restoring North America’s wetlands. In 2013 11 Texas chapters made the Top 100 list as one of the organization’s best fundraising chapters.
“These fundraising events are the backbone of DU’s habitat conservation efforts, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the force driving DU and helping make a difference for North American waterfowl populations,” said DU President George Dunklin. “It takes a great deal of effort to break into the Top 100, and these chapters deserve to be congratulated by every person who enjoys the outdoors.”
The Gregg County, Central Texas, Matagorda County, Brazos Valley, Rockport-Fulton, Katy-Brookshire, Ft. Bend County, Weatherford, Pearland, McKinney and Frisco chapters earned a spot on the Top 100 list out of the more than 2,600 DU chapters nationwide. DU’s event fundraising system has become a model for other conservation organizations around the world and has funded a significant portion of the more than 13 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat DU has conserved since 1937.
The 2013 Top 100 chapters also have the distinction of being honored during DU’s 77th National Convention in St. Louis at the end of May, with many chapter representatives in attendance.
“DU chapters across the country are showing that the future of waterfowl populations and the wetlands that filter our drinking water and protect us from flooding are important to them and to their communities,” Dunklin said. “The more money we raise, the more habitat we can conserve and the closer we are to preserving our waterfowl hunting heritage. I would like to personally thank all our Top 100 chapters for their achievement and look forward to seeing them among our distinguished chapters next year.”
Visit www.ducks.org to see the full Top 100 list for this year.
