Cargill Deicing Technology Supports Gulf Coast Restoration

LAFAYETTE, La., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill Deicing Technology presented a check for $200,000 to Ducks Unlimited at the Louisiana State Convention Friday afternoon. The donation supports DU's ongoing efforts to provide sufficient wintering habitat for waterfowl along the Louisiana coast.

"Habitat conservation in this area is essential to sustaining populations of North American waterfowl and to securing the future of North America's waterfowling heritage, and as such has long been a top priority for Ducks Unlimited," said Bob Dew, DU manager of conservation programs in Louisiana. "With the added challenges caused by the current oil spill situation in the Gulf and the recent foraging habitat shortfall estimates, waterfowl are facing an uncertain future along the Gulf Coast."

The Louisiana coast is arguably the most important region for wintering waterfowl in North America. Rich in waterfowling history, it provides continentally significant winter habitat for up to 13 million waterfowl and multitudes of other wetland-dependent birds and wildlife.

The commitment of $200,000 from Cargill Deicing Technology, which is a producer and distributor of winter snow-fighting products and services, will support restoration of approximately 3,500 acres of coastal marsh habitat between Avery Island and Weeks Bay in Iberia Parish.

"Ducks Unlimited is recognized as a leader in wetlands conservation due to its ability to forge partnerships and deliver significant wetlands conservation," Steve Horne, Cargill mine manager, said. "We are proud to support this project, one part to the whole of DU's ultimate goal of a sustainable coastal ecosystem."

Cargill Deicing Technology, which operates a rock salt mine at Avery Island, is a business unit of Minneapolis-based Cargill.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.

SOURCE Cargill Deicing Technology