On April 24, Ducks Unlimited at Wofford hosted their annual fundraising banquet at Moe’s BBQ in Spartanburg. The event featured an auction with multiple items for purchase in an effort to fund their conservation work. Although Spartanburg is a locally designated chapter, the organization spans most of North America.
Ducks Unlimited has been an active organization on campus for multiple years, and over time numerous members have helped build support for its mission. They are an organization that aims to preserve, protect and restore natural wetland habitats.
The organization works to actively combat wetland degradation and destruction from various factors, including invasive species, water level changes, runoff from pollution resulting from urbanization and other ecological reasons. Wetland conservation benefits wildlife and people as it assists in maintaining sustainable coastlines.
Nationally, the organization is largely supported by young adults at the collegiate level. After fulfilling his time as president, Pierce Ducas ‘26 passed on his presidency to James Burns ‘27. As current president of the organization, Burns emphasizes that those who are interested do not need to have experience in hunting in order to make an impact in the organization.
“You don’t have to be a duck hunter to come… A lot of people will come. Friends, parents and a lot of the people in the club don’t duck hunt so it’s not just for that. Anyone that cares about any kind of sustainability can come,” Burns said.
Burns is both a hunter and an environmental studies major, which has fostered his passion for preserving wetlands. He got involved as a freshman after discovering the organization’s booth at an interest fair for extracurricular activities.
“It’s just as much about getting college students involved as it is to raise money,” Burns said.
The annual banquet also serves as an opportunity to pick up some Ducks Unlimited gear, whether or not attendees are necessarily hunters themselves.
“There’s all kinds of collectors items at the banquet, like engraved guns that are limited edition, and people will pay a lot to collect those, and a lot of signs and they’ll even auction off hunting trips, like there’s one in Africa (for example),” Burns said.
Ducks Unlimited at Wofford is set apart due to it being connected to a local chapter in Spartanburg. Contributions stem from both college students and parents within the Spartanburg community, making the banquet a significant event in the area.
Most members from larger colleges and universities go to their respective school’s chapter of Ducks Unlimited, but because the city has a chapter itself, it is set apart from many others.
Ducks Unlimited plans to host another fundraising event during the fall semester– the height of duck hunting season. Those interested in environmental sustainability, duck hunting or anything in between can join and take part in the 85 year legacy of protecting waterfowl and their habitats. Be on the lookout for a booth during the next club fair and check out the Instagram page @wofforddu for ways to get involved.
