Robert Bateman Print Available Exclusively Through Ducks Unlimited Canada

Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., November 18, 2003 – Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is launching a new fundraising initiative by offering a limited edition print by acclaimed Canadian nature artist Robert Bateman.

This limited print is now available to Canadians exclusively through DUC’s 700 sealed bid auction sites across the country. The Bateman print, titled On the Pond – Wood Ducks, will be available alongside three art prints by other well-known Canadian artists.

The Bateman print features a pair of wood ducks under the shade of the trees at the edge of a pond. “Wood ducks are wonderful. I like everything about them, including the kind of place where they live—I have a soft spot in my heart for wetlands,” says Bateman. “That’s why I am particularly pleased that DUC has selected On The Pond – Wood Ducks to raise funds for their vital work. DUC has been instrumental in protecting, enhancing, restoring and managing important wetlands and associated uplands. Our support of DUC can help to ensure that the world will be a better, richer and more varied place for our grandchildren and their grandchildren to discover and enjoy.”

Neil Downey, DUC board member and chair of DUC’s national revenue and membership committee, expects the Bateman print to be a great success for DUC. “We are very excited to be featuring the work of Robert Bateman and other wonderful artists for our sealed bid auctions across Canada,” says Downey. “These prints are sure to be a draw for any art or nature enthusiast. They’ll generate great exposure for DUC and help raise much-needed dollars to support our habitat conservation work.”

Through the sealed bid auction program, the prints are displayed at participating local businesses ranging from car washes to banks and hotels. People interested in bidding simply fill out a small card with their bid and contact information and drop it into a box that accompanies the print. Once the bidding closes, the print is sold to the highest bidder. The sealed bid auction program is one of DUC’s many volunteer-driven fundraising initiatives. The program showcases many of the same art prints found at more than 800 annual DUC fundraising events held in the spring and fall in communities across Canada.

Robert Bateman is one of the world’s leading nature and wildlife artists. Born in Toronto, Ont., in 1930 and now a resident of Salt Spring Island, B.C., he has had numerous sell-out exhibitions in Canada, the United States and Great Britain. His work can be found in many private and public collections throughout the world, including several art museums.

For more than 65 years, DUC has conserved, restored and managed wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats—nature’s water filters—also benefit other wildlife and people. Visit www.ducks.ca for more information on how you can become involved in wetland conservation.