In reply to Dave's question on Ducks, Unlimited.

I'm on the board of both Friends of Turnbull and Spokane Audubon so have
some experience with Ducks, Unlimited. They put a lot of money into saving
wetlands. They became involved in a Friends and Intermountain Agency's
project to pull local (Cheney and outlying areas) farmers and landowners
into retaining and/or creating wetlands on their property. Even though
"Ducks" reason for saving wetlands is to maintain the duck population (so
they can shoot them!), ducks and other species benefit from these wetlands.
We need all the wetlands we can get, so my personal opinion is that
sacrificing some non-endangered ducks for the welfare of other birds, herps
and mammals is acceptable. I know I will get flamed by some subscribers who
feel no bird should be shot for "sport" - but without "Ducks" efforts on
behalf of wetlands we would lose many many ducks who wouldn't have a
resting/renewing place during migration.

....and now I will "duck" :)

Regards, Joanne
jhpowell at snapwa.org