Louisiana vanishing coastal wetlands 8 31-10

Ducks Unlimited Delivering Continental Conservation

Our Vision

A world of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

Carolina Connection

Sponsor initiative to raise $2.5 million by the end of 2010 to support our conservation efforts, in South Carolina and on the breeding grounds where our waterfowl originate.

All DU sponsors – from Bronze to Wetlands Guardian levels – that commit to Carolina Connection will help us reach our goal.

South CarolinaConservation Program

South CarolinaConservation Program

Restoring wetland functions 33 completed projects 34,602 conserved acres DU funds $1.5M Partner funds $16.6M (over 11:1 match) Continual evaluation of projects

Current Projects

Lowcountry Initiative

Santee Coastal Reserve

Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (5)

ACE Basin NWR (3)

Santee NWR (4)

Botany Bay WMA

Mottled Duck Research Project

Lowcountry Initiative

Santee Coastal Reserve

Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (5)

ACE Basin NWR (3)

Santee NWR (4)

Botany Bay WMA

Mottled Duck Research Project

Lowcountry Initiative Conservation Easements

2009• 7 Easements• 3,200 Acres

131 Total Easements119,853 Total Acres

2009• 7 Easements• 3,200 Acres

131 Total Easements119,853 Total Acres

Bluff Unit

Santee NWR

Cuddo Unit

Timber Island Fields Unit

ACE Basin NWR

Mottled Duck Research Project

Louisiana’s Vanishing Coastal Wetlands:

Trouble in Sportsman’s Paradise

Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Lesser Scaup Concentrations

Redheads

www.ducks.org/oilspill

Goal of 15 million wintering waterfowl (22%).

Has lost 35% of coastal marsh (1.5 million acres) with annual loss of 16,000-25,000 acres.

Loss of interior freshwater and intermediate coastal marsh to sea level and altered hydrology.

Conserve 250,000 acres of foraging habitat on coastal prairie, slow or reverse coastal marsh loss; restore processes that sustain wetlands.

To date, DU has delivered 86,914 acres of enhanced, restored and protected habitat in the coastal zone of Louisiana.

Gulf Coast Wetlands

Migration Chronology for LA Coastal RegionMigration Chronology for LA Coastal Region

1,500,000 acres are already lost

LAKECHARLES LAFAYETTE

BATONROUGE

HOUMAHOUMA

NEWORLEANS

NEWORLEANS

LAKEPONTCHARTRAI

N

LAKEPONTCHARTRAI

N

BRETONSOUNDBRETONSOUND

GRANDISLE

GRANDISLE

MORGANCITY

MORGANCITY

59

1010

12

ATCHAFALAYABAY

ATCHAFALAYABAY

Louisiana’s Coastline, Year 2050

Elevated / Developed Wetlands

Land Creation Area

Forest

Marsh

Area of Predicted Loss

By 2050 despite restoration efforts 1,100 additional square miles of

Louisiana’s wetlands, an area the size of Rhode Island, will become

open water.

1950-20002000-2050

Fundamental Causes of Coastal Wetland Loss in Louisiana

Altered Hydrology – Human Origin Shipping and oil exploration canals

Main stem levee on Mississippi River

Alteration of natural processes Increased rates of subsidence and erosion

Decreased rate of sediment accretion

Salt water intrusion kills salt intolerant marsh vegetation

19951995

19681968 19781978

19881988

20022002

Beach Erosion

04.29.2008 True Color Satellite Image

What is DU doing in Coastal Louisiana?

Direct Delivery

Public Policy

Science

$15 million commitment

($14.1 million / 95%)

A small step in the right direction

Installation of Duck-Wing Terraces

Black Lake Terrace Field Design

Over 27 miles of terraces!

Black Lake Area – 1953

Black Lake Terrace Field

Policy is Critical

The rates of loss are unprecedented.

DU cannot do enough direct delivery to meet our mission.

Policy is critical to restore balance to the system.

Science guides our decisions.

“As long as the Mississippi River is flowing, there is hope”

Many competing interests with a stake in Coastal Louisiana

Navigation and commercial shipping

Commercial fishing industry

Commercial alligator industry

Oil and gas and related support industries

Agriculture – rice, cattle, sugar

Flood control

Recreational fishing and hunting, tourism

~1.5 million acres of essential waterfowl habitat is at risk!

The Bottom Line It is time to give our best effort towards saving this river and coast.

Direct delivery, policy and our supporters combine to make DU uniquely positioned to succeed here.

We are working closely with Louisiana and the Federal Government to restore this national treasure.

We have a plan and a role to play.

DU offers a portfolio of investments in the waterfowl resource, these are our conservation programs.

These programmatic investments pay dividends to the waterfowl resource.

Gifts to DU are investments in the future of waterfowl.

Embracing the fierceEmbracing the fierceurgency of now inurgency of now in

order to leave a legacyorder to leave a legacy

Life Sponsor $10,000 - $19,999

Diamond Life Sponsor $20,000 - $29,999

Sponsor in Perpetuity $30,000 - $39,999

Diamond Sponsor in Perpetuity $40,000 - $49,999

Heritage Sponsor $50,000 - $74,999

Diamond Heritage Sponsor $75,000 - $99,999

Benefactor Roll of Honor $100,000 - $249,999

Legacy Sponsor $250,000 - $499,999

Gold Legacy Sponsor $500,000 - $749,999

Platinum Legacy Sponsor $750,000 - $999,999

Diamond Legacy Sponsor $1,000,000 - $4,999,999

Conservation Pioneer $5,000,000 - $9,999,999

Waterfowl Patron $10,000,000 - $19,999,999

Wetlands Guardian $20,000,000+

Major Sponsor Commitment