Waterfowl Chesapeake Announces Call for Projects

The American Black Duck is one of the most threatened Chesapeake waterfowl species and is used as an “indicator species” for many conservation efforts

Easton, Md. – July 31, 2014 – Waterfowl Chesapeake Inc. is encouraging organizations and entities to submit projects that benefit waterfowl conservation on the Delmarva peninsula to the 2014 Project Registry for review. The Waterfowl Chesapeake Project Registry was established in 2013 as the online repository of information to advocate and potentially generate funding for projects that advance the creation, restoration and conservation of waterfowl habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and nearby coastal bays.

The Registry provides a comprehensive collection of pertinent projects that can be researched through Waterfowl Chesapeake’s online web platform, thus,  enabling prospective conservation supporters and others to learn more about projects of interest to them. The Project Registry will also serve as a tool to assist Waterfowl Chesapeake and its partners in making targeted advocacy and funding investments to ensure that abundant waterfowl thrive throughout the region.

“We are proud to launch the second annual Project Registry Cycle,” commented Waterfowl Chesapeake Board President, Albert Pritchett. “Last year we were presented with several impressive, high-value projects and anticipate an even stronger pool this year. We look forward to partnering with other organizations and funders to leverage our resources and maximize the impact on waterfowl and habitat conservation.”

To qualify for the 2014 Registry, a project must have a direct impact on the Delmarva Peninsula and be focused on one or both of Waterfowl Chesapeake’s core strategic priorities: Protecting and conserving critical waterfowl habitat and expanding food resources; and Educating and involving citizens, landowners and policy leaders in community-based waterfowl conservation programs. Key evaluation factors will be the scale and connectedness of conservation assets and the degree to which the project will connect people to nature and raise awareness of the importance of conserving habitat for waterfowl.

Organizations with projects or initiatives meeting the criteria are encouraged to submit their projects for review in advance of the August 29, 2014 deadline.

Once submitted, projects will be reviewed by Waterfowl Chesapeake’s Alliance for Waterfowl Conservation. Representing a broad cross-section of environmental expertise and diverse backgrounds, the 2013 Alliance includes current and former leadership from the Chesapeake Bay Office and the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S.G.S. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, the Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Ornithological Society and the Washington College Center for the Environment & Society.

A selection of the most significant projects determined through Waterfowl Chesapeake’s review process will be highlighted at the 44^th Annual Waterfowl Festival, taking place November 13–16, 2014 in Easton, Md. More details about the Registry and submitting projects can be found online at www.waterfowlchesapeake.org, or by calling 410-822-4567.

About Waterfowl Chesapeake

The mission of Waterfowl Chesapeake Inc. is to create, restore and conserve waterfowl habitat throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and nearby coastal bays by engaging in collaborative, strategic initiatives with organizations, governments, corporations, foundations and individuals. Waterfowl Chesapeake focuses exclusively on waterfowl and wildlife habitat conservation, and is the primary beneficiary of the proceeds from the annual Waterfowl Festival. Since1971, proceeds from this yearly event have provided more than $5.3 million for waterfowl habitat conservation, education and research.  Through Waterfowl Chesapeake, the organization will continue to raise support through annual appeals, grants and major gifts. For more information and to donate, please call Waterfowl Chesapeake Headquarters at410-822-4567 or visit www.waterfowlchesapeake.org.

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