[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 138 (Friday, August 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E771-E772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 15, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
California Waterfowl as it celebrates 80 years of dedicated 
conservation service. This organization's decades long work protecting 
California's waterfowl and wetland resources has made it the largest 
state-based waterfowl group in the United States and a vital force for 
environmental stewardship in our state and district.
  California Waterfowl was founded in 1945 as the Duck Hunters 
Association of California by hunters concerned about the rapid loss of 
wetlands. At the time, California had already lost 90 percent of its 
original wetlands, and few resources were dedicated to reversing this 
trend. In 1985, the organization partnered with the California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct studies that revealed most 
mallards harvested by hunters in the state were hatched locally, a 
finding that underscored the importance of in-State habitat to the 
health of the entire Pacific Flyway.
  Today, California Waterfowl includes more than 20,000 members united 
by a shared vision of a California abundant in waterfowl, vibrant 
wetlands, and thriving hunting communities. Over the past four decades, 
the organization has invested $280 million in conservation efforts and 
completed more than 1,500 projects to protect, restore, and enhance 
nearly 730,000 acres of waterfowl habitat statewide. More than half of 
these projects occurred on public lands, including significant work in 
the Suisun Marsh and California Delta. Recognizing the importance of 
agriculture to conservation, California Waterfowl has also partnered 
with landowners through programs such as the Delayed Wheat Harvest 
Incentive, Rice Levee and Agricultural Corridors Program, and Fallow 
Agriculture Program to support nesting waterfowl and pollinators while 
maintaining productive farmland.
  The organization's research and education efforts have contributed 
significantly to wildlife science and public awareness. Its Wood Duck 
Program has successfully hatched more than one million ducklings and 
distributed over 165,000 wood duck boxes. More than 180,000 students 
have participated in their conservation education programs. In 2009, 
the Hunt Program was launched to improve land access for hunters, now 
serving nearly 2,000 participants annually. The Veteran Hunt Program 
has supported over 5,000 service members, while broader outreach 
efforts have introduced more than 28,000 Californians to hunting and 
outdoor stewardship.
  Mr. Speaker, California Waterfowl's 80 years of conservation 
leadership have helped restore and protect hundreds of thousands of 
acres of critical habitat while educating generations of Californians 
about the importance of wetland conservation. Their work continues to 
benefit our state and district's wildlife, agriculture, and outdoor 
recreation opportunities. It is fitting and proper that we honor them 
today for their outstanding service to our region's natural resources 
and conservation heritage.

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