Ducks Unlimited CEO H. Dale Hall Joins Board Of America's WETLAND Foundation

Former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director a coastal restoration advocate

NEW ORLEANS, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- H. Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Inc. and former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has joined the board of directors of the America's WETLAND Foundation (AWF).

R. King Milling, AWF chairman, said that Hall brings "vast conservation knowledge and experience to the Foundation and has been an outstanding contributor to the coastal restoration movement, both as a federal official and most recently as head of Ducks Unlimited (DU).  He has worked with our America's Energy Coast initiative since its inception, serving on the advisory committee.  While heading U.S. Fish and Wildlife, he and his staff offered a detailed description of federal policies that conflict with those of the state and hinder restoration efforts.  We are delighted he has agreed to serve on our board of directors and look forward to his guidance on this issue and many others."

Hall has degrees in biology and chemistry from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., a Masters degree in fisheries science from Louisiana State University, and has authored numerous publications on wetlands, fisheries ecology and other related topics.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the board of the America's WETLAND Foundation," Hall said.  "Conserving Louisiana's coastal wetlands has been one of DU's priorities for years.  The loss of this vital landscape is not a local or regional problem. These wetlands are a national treasure, providing habitat for millions of North America's waterfowl and serving as the nursery ground for marine life in the Gulf of Mexico."

Hall said, "AWF has been a strong voice for Louisiana's coast and for coastal restoration across the Gulf region.  The Foundation takes a balanced approach to often polarizing issues, bringing diverse interests to the table to work together on solutions. I look forward to serving on the board."

The America's WETLAND Foundation manages the largest, most comprehensive public education campaign in Louisiana's history, raising public awareness of the impact of Louisiana's wetland loss on the state, nation and world. The America's Energy Coast initiative works to sustain the environmental and economic assets of the Gulf Coast region. The initiative is supported by a growing coalition of world, national and state conservation and environmental organizations and has drawn private support from businesses that see wetlands protection as a key to economic growth.

For more information, please visit www.futureofthegulfcoast.org or www.americaswetland.com.

SOURCE America's WETLAND Foundation