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Family Foundation Donates $50,000 to DU For Iowan Restoration

WATERLOO, Iowa - The Young Family Foundation of Waterloo, Iowa, recently pledged $50,000 to help Ducks Unlimited complete the Zirbel Slough wetland enhancement project near Clear Lake. The Young family has been an ardent supporter of DU's conservation efforts for over a decade and this recent contribution will help accelerate DU's Living Lakes Initiative in Iowa.

"We've always been impressed with DU and how effective they are with using the money given to them to improve the environment and habitat. DU gets it done like they say they will," said Rick Young, Young Foundation president.

The 330-acre Zirbel Slough Wildlife Management Area is owned and managed by the Cerro-Gordo County Conservation Board and is comprised of a large restored native prairie and wetland complex.

"Like many shallow lakes and large marshes in north-central Iowa, the waterfowl and migratory bird use at Zirbel Slough has declined significantly due to poor habitat conditions and a recent proliferation of exotic rough fish," said Eric Lindstrom, DU regional biologist in Iowa.

Significant renovations are needed to bring life back to this important wetland complex. DU, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are working together to survey, design and install a permanent pumping station, water control structure and fish barrier. These infrastructure developments will enable managers to manipulate water levels and greatly improve habitat and foraging conditions for waterfowl and other wildlife.

"We're deeply grateful for the Young family's continued support over the past decade," Lindstrom said. "We look forward to continuing this strong conservation partnership with them to ensure that projects like Zirbel Slough are possible for many years to come."

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands, nature's most productive ecosystem and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.