FY22 wrap-up and Thank You

NCDU Family –

Coming off a very exciting and fun National Convention as well as the end of my term as State Chairman, I wanted to share some fantastic results and awards with all of you – the volunteers, supporters, family and friends that make it happen.  In his closing remarks, our CEO, Adam Putnam, said it brilliantly.  “There is no DU without you”.  Please remember that statement and carry it with you across our great state as we continue to recruit new volunteers and supporters, continue to support and engage with our current volunteers and supporters, and continue to drive North Carolina Ducks Unlimited to unprecedented levels.

It’s the mission that brings us together – Wetlands Conservation.  Accordingly, it is critically important to share the outstanding efforts of our conservation team during FY22.  Under the leadership of Emily Purcell for the South Atlantic Region, please see the following tremendous conservation results for FY22 in NC (Thank You, Emily):

•       $674,166 into conservation work in NC
•       2,947 acres conserved bring total acres conserved in NC to 142,191 (20% of DU’s conservation delivery in the Atlantic Flyway

Completed Projects

• • Final phase of Alcoa Game Land Acquisition in partnership with NC Wildlife Resources Commission which concluded the larger 4,700 acre land acquisition project for public access
  • Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge wetlands enhancement project

Ongoing Projects

• • • Finishing enhancement of the South Pond unit on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (307 acres)
    • Survey, design, permitting of projects on Smith Creek and Spring Creek Units of Goose Creek Game Land
    • Protecting several privately owned properties through conservation easements
    • Assisting partners like the NC Coastal Land Trust and the Nature Conservancy with land acquisitions for wildlife and public benefit
    • Nationally – protected, restored and enhanced 574,000 acres of important habitat across the country.

 While Ducks Unlimited is a volunteer led organization, it cannot be done without our wonderful staff.  I’d like to personally thank our outstanding Regional Directors – Larry Wilkins, Dave Neal, and John Sturgill.  A huge thanks to our Director of Development, Will Johnson, and to Brett Baker, Director of Fundraising and Volunteer Relations for Region 7.  Gentlemen, you know what you do and so do we.  We cannot do it “without you”. 

A very special thanks to Larry Wilkins for his passion and dedication as a Senior Regional Director.  Larry retired on June 30, and his name has become synonymous with NC DU over the many years of his service.  Thank you, Larry!  You will be missed.  I would also like to take a moment to welcome Andrew Williams back to NC as our newest Regional Director after driving tremendous growth in the Seattle, WA market as an RD.  I’d also like to welcome Tyler Hopper as our new NC Director of Development. 

A tremendous thank you to the State Committee, our Senior Flyway VP, Julian Ottley, and our Regional Vice Presidents, Henry Kidd and Matt Dubik, as well as At-Large Board Member, Jay Taylor.  I would also like to thank the previous State Chairmen, State Committee members, SVPs, and RVPs, for their tireless efforts over the years to not only enjoy tremendous success, but also put us in a position of strength for continued success.  Your leadership and dedication to helping us achieve our goals and beyond cannot be understated.  THANK YOU!

Before moving on to our absolutely tremendous results for FY22, I’d like to officially welcome Paul Warren as our new State Chairman.  Everything Paul touches he makes better.  I was the State Campaign Chair for 4 years when Paul took over the position – he made it better.  I was State Chair Elect for 2 years when Paul took over – he made it better.  Now he’s taking over as State Chairman, and I know he will do the same – make it better.  We all wish you the best of luck, Paul, but we also know you don’t need luck!

And finally, my 25+ years as a volunteer with Ducks Unlimited, with the overwhelming number of years with NCDU, have been fun, challenging, exciting, and arduous at times.  My tenure as State Chairman saw an unprecedented event – The COVID 19 pandemic.  WE responded – our dedication and resiliency continued to drive our mission of wetlands conservation and who saw FY22 coming!  Simply amazing.  As many of you know, I’ve relocated to Dallas, TX and am continuing my volunteering with Texas DU BUT will always be partial to NCDU.  I may have moved, but I haven’t gone anywhere.  Thank you all for a wonderful, challenging, and successful tenure as State Chairman.  I could not have done it WITHOUT YOU!

I look forward to hopefully seeing ALL of you at the Volunteer Appreciation Celebrationi in Raleigh on August 27.  If you haven’t already, PLEASE REGISTER. 

FY22 Results and Awards

All I can say is WOW!  I don’t think anyone saw it coming (well we did have a sneaking suspicion it might happen).  After working extremely hard in FY21 during the peak of the pandemic and generating unexpected, outstanding results given the conditions in our state, we accomplished unprecedented results in FY22.  Being in New Orleans at National Convention and hearing NC recognized so many times was, quite frankly, AWESOME.  Let’s get right to it…..

The Numbers:

1. Event Income:  $3,155,523 (includes Major Sponsor payments)
   • • We smashed the all-time record by over $500,000   
     • 73% growth over PY
2. Budget Income:  $2,604,033
   • • All-time record
     • 88% growth over prior year
3. Event attendance:  17,270
   • • 78% growth over prior year
4. Sponsors:  1,614
   1. • 88% growth over prior year
5. Volunteers:  1,758

The Awards:

      The Top 10

1.  Top 10 States – Event Income
   • North Carolina – #8
2. Top 10 States – Event Income Growth
   • North Carolina – #6
3. Top 10 States – Even Income % Growth
   • North Carolina – #9
4. Top 10 States – Attendance
   • North Carolina – #7
5. Top 10 States – Attendance % Growth
   • North Carolina – #7
6. Top 10 States – Volunteers
   • North Carolina – #6
7. Top 10 Events – All Income
   • Charlotte Chapter – #6
   • $405,471
   • Area Chairman, Nick Barringer
8. Top 10 Events – Traditional Income
   • Charlotte Chapter – #5
   • $247,210
   • Area Chairman, Nick Barringer
9. Top 10 States – Life Sponsors
   • North Carolina – #6
   • Presidential Merit Award

Other National Awards

1. Greenwing Honor Roll
   • Clinton Sampson County Chapter – #8
2. Collegiate Program
   • Bronze All American – $25,000 – $49,999
     • University of North Carolina Wilmington
   • Gold All American – $75,000+
     • North Carolina State University
     • East Carolina University
3. Varsity Program
   • Gold All-Star – $30,000+
     • Broughton High School

Regards,

Brian Mattison