DU's 75th Ann. in D.C. - Willard Hotel event

Caroline Garrett (DU) and Christie McGregor (TNC)

Bart James (DU) and Brian Pawlak (NOAA)

Dan Ashe (USFWS) presents Paul Schmidt (DU) the canvasback award

The historic Willard Hotel in D.C.

When asked about traveling to our nation's capital to attend the 75th Anniversary events for Ducks Unlimited, I replied that I was deeply honored to do so. The April 16th Toast to Conservation was held at the place where the incorporation papers were signed to bring Ducks Unlimited to life 75 years ago. The Willard Hotel is a Washington landmark and is situated on Pennsylvania Avenue very near The White House. On January 29, 1937 a group of dedicated waterfowlers put pen to paper at The Willard Hotel in the heart of the nation's capital, laying the foundation for the future of DU. Today the Washington D.C. office of DU's Government Affairs is led by Bart James (Director of Public Policy) and Caroline Garrett (Government Affairs Representative) and many other capable DU staffers. The event at the Willard Hotel was attended by a who's who of conservation leaders including Tom Vilsack (U.S. Secretary of Agriculture), Dan Ashe (Dir. of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Dale Hall (CEO of DU), John Newman (President of DU), plus several DU national board members and representatives from The Nature Conservancy, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Shooting Sports Foundation and many more! The gathering of 60 VIP's watched the unveiling of a new plaque from DU recognizing the Willard Hotel as the setting for DU's incorporation. Secretary Tom Vilsack made remarks to the crowd and then USFWS Dir. Dan Ashe presented DU's Paul Schmidt (Chief Conservation Officer) with the canvasback award for service. The food, refreshments and the facilities at the Willard Hotel were first-class, and so was the fellowship shared during this special DU in D.C. 75th Anniversary event.

To view past blog entires about the DU 75th Anniversary click here.