A bold investment in science…students…and the pursuit of a sustainable world.
The Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation will provide generations of students with opportunities to pursue their passions in conservation while delivering research that addresses some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.
The first of its kind in Canada, the chair will teach and mentor future scientists, conservationists, and wildlife managers studying at the University of Saskatchewan. The endowment will provide student support through graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships.
Your support will ensure the next generation of conservation leaders have the training they need to meet the environmental challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Meet the DUC Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation
Dr. Mitch Weegman, an avian ecologist, will teach and mentor students at the University of Saskatchewan.
Weegman was recruited from the University of Missouri, where he served as assistant professor of avian ecology in the School of Natural Resources. Weegman was chosen from a competitive pool of candidates from across North America and Europe because of his strong research record and passion for student mentorship.
“Saskatchewan, and more broadly the Canadian prairies and parklands, are legendary for wetlands and waterfowl. Even as a kid, I read about and dreamed of visiting these landscapes. Launching the chair is the honour of my lifetime and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Dr. Weegman will assume his role as the DUC Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation at the University of Saskatchewan on July 1, 2021. Read the full announcement.
Photo credit: University of Missouri
Support the Ducks Unlimited Canada Endowment
and leave a lasting legacy
Ensure there is a continuous cycle of research related to wetlands and waterfowl.
Provide students with the skills to become leaders in solving real-world environmental problems.
Contribute to the discovery of innovative land-use solutions in working landscapes.
Be part of cutting-edge science that addresses complex environmental issues involving energy, water, climate, agriculture and quality of life.
The University of Saskatchewan is the ideal institution for Canada’s endowed chair in wetland and waterfowl conservation.
Located in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region, with easy access to the western boreal forest, it is situated in the most important landscapes for wetland and waterfowl conservation in North America.
DUC and the University of Saskatchewan also enjoy a long and productive partnership. More than 20 current or former DUC employees studied here—including DUC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Karla Guyn.
Read: New training ground for aspiring scientists
DUC’s CEO Karla Guyn is a proud University of Saskatchewan grad. She knows firsthand that focused education and training in conservation science can have an incredible impact. Read her inspiring article
Across the country, our changing environment is impacting wetland habitat.
The Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation will write the next exciting chapter of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s history. It will foster new discoveries, new leaders and new achievements. The possibilities are endless.
The time is now
Investing in conservation science is critical. Support the Ducks Unlimited Canada Endowment and leave a lasting legacy.