Ducks Unlimited Canada

What Ducks Unlimited Canada does

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is a national nonprofit land conservancy founded in 1938 and headquartered at the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh in Stonewall, Manitoba. DUC conserves, restores, and manages wetlands, grasslands, boreal forest, and Pacific Coast habitats across every Canadian province and territory, with cumulative impact of 6.35 million acres conserved (including 3.1 million acres restored) and 14,221 habitat projects under active care. Its core scientific platform is the Institute for Wetland & Waterfowl Research (IWWR), which develops evidence-based restoration methodologies and underpins the proprietary International Conservation Plan — a planning model that prioritizes investments based on waterfowl abundance, landscape capacity, habitat threats, and cost-effectiveness. DUC also offers the DUC Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Research at the University of Saskatchewan as part of its scientific infrastructure.

DUC's product portfolio spans professional conservation services (Conservation Pro), agriculture and landowner programs (Marginal Areas Program, Boreal Forest Programs), coastal resilience initiatives (SEEDS, Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot, Living Dike, ProMEPP), educational programs (Wetland Centres of Excellence), merchandise (DUCGear), and member publications (Conservator Magazine). Revenue is generated across five streams — government grants ($55.5M CAD in FY2022), individual donations and fundraising ($8.0M), program revenue ($18.2M), non-government partnerships ($14.9M), and investment income ($9.8M) — for a disclosed FY2022 total of approximately $106.4 million CAD. Memberships are structured as recurring donations starting at $5/month or $60/year, supplemented by 320+ annual fundraising events including the Duck and Run national event.

DUC serves a multi-stakeholder constituency: 121,657 individual supporters, 5,228 active volunteers, 18,846 engaged landowners, corporate partners (Loblaw Companies, Weston Family Foundation, Elk Valley Resources, Funding Innovation, Nature Force), Indigenous communities (including the Tsawwassen First Nation and Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance), and all levels of Canadian government (federal, provincial, municipal). DUC holds registered charity status (charitable registration 11888 8957 RR0001), Charity Intelligence's five-star rating, and PIPEDA/CASL compliance certification, and directs 88% of expenditures to habitat conservation in FY2022 — exceeding its 80% internal target.

Name

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Legal name

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Website

https://ducks.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Ducks Unlimited Canada is a national nonprofit land conservancy founded in 1938 that conserves, restores, and manages wetlands, grasslands, and boreal habitats across every Canadian province and territory. It serves individual donors, landowners, corporate partners, Indigenous communities, and all levels of government through science-based conservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wetland Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

Keywords

• Wetland conservation
• Habitat restoration
• Waterfowl management
• Conservation science
• Land stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Federal, provincial, and municipal government grants represent DUC's largest revenue source. In FY2022, government grants totaled $55.5 million. DUC partners with all levels of government to deliver conservation programs and leverages programs like the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) which provides approximately $34 million CAD annually in grant funding.
2. Individual Donations and Fundraising: Donations from individuals, fundraising events, and membership programs. In FY2022, fundraising revenue was $8.0 million. DUC operates donation matching programs that can multiply donor impact up to three times. Membership starts at $5/month or $60/year.
3. Program Revenue: Revenue from conservation programs and services including consulting, land management fees, and educational programs. In FY2022, program revenue was $18.2 million.
4. Non-Government Partnerships: Corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and NGO collaborations. In FY2022, non-government partnerships generated $14.9 million. Major partners include Weston Family Foundation ($70 million over 10 years), Loblaw Companies, and Nature Force.
5. Investment Income: Returns on DUC's investment portfolio including the Revolving Land Conservation Program. In FY2022, investment income was $9.8 million. DUC leveraged lines of credit for the Revolving Land Conservation Program of $5.4 million in 2022.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ducks Unlimited Canada is a national nonprofit land conservancy that delivers science-based wetland, grassland, and waterfowl conservation across Canada. The organization conserves, restores, and manages habitat through landowner agreements, agricultural support programs, boreal forest initiatives, professional consulting (Conservation Pro), and educational outreach, supported by an in-house research division (Institute for Wetland & Waterfowl Research).

Product overview

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) operates as a science-based conservation organization offering a portfolio of programs, services, and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include: conservation programs for agriculture and landowners (Agriculture and Landowner Programs, Marginal Areas Program), boreal forest conservation services (Boreal Forest Programs, National Boreal Program), and scientific research through the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research. DUC also provides professional consulting through Conservation Pro, education programs connecting people to nature (including the Wetland Centres of Excellence network), and operates The Nature Force for urban flood resilience. Merchandise is available through DUCGear™. Fundraising support includes memberships, events like Duck and Run, and publications such as Conservator Magazine. Recent coastal initiatives include SEEDS, the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project, ProMEPP, and the Living Dike experimental nature-based infrastructure. The organization leverages an extensive network of partnerships with landowners, Indigenous communities, governments, and conservation organizations to deliver conservation outcomes across every province and territory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Pro Professional science-based landscape solutions that provide organizations and landowners with practical conservation expertise, including wetland restoration design, habitat management planning, and environmental impact assessment.
• Agriculture and Landowner Programs Conservation programs helping farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners integrate sustainable practices with productive land use, including conservation easements, land stewardship, and sustainable beef and forage support benefiting over 6,500 cattle farms in Manitoba.
• Boreal Forest Programs Conservation products and services focused on conserving boreal forest wetlands across Canada, delivered to partners and landowners as part of DUC's National Boreal Program.
• Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) DUC's scientific research division that guides and advances conservation efforts through a diverse partner network, conducting wetland ecology studies, waterfowl population research, and developing evidence-based restoration methodologies.
• Nature Force Innovative partnership program focused on urban-adjacent projects that reduce the effects of flooding due to extreme weather and support coastal resilience through nature-based infrastructure including the Living Dike, Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot, and Mud Bay Foreshore Enhancements.
• Education Programs Programs and resources connecting people of all ages to conservation and nature, including the Wetland Centres of Excellence national network at 25 DUC-recognized high school centers.
• Marginal Areas Program Program rehabilitating marginal farmlands, improving soil health, and supporting biodiversity through crop rotation options for farmers.
• DUC Membership Program Recurring donation membership program for individual supporters, with monthly contributions starting at $5/month or $60/year, providing Conservator magazine subscription, special event invitations, and DUCGear discounts.
• DUCGear Branded merchandise e-commerce store selling conservation-themed apparel and accessories, with purchases supporting DUC's wetland conservation efforts.
• Duck and Run National fundraising event supporting wetland conservation by encouraging Canadians to participate in physical activity while raising funds.
• Conservator Magazine Quarterly magazine providing conservation stories, research updates, and organizational news to members and supporters, serving as a member retention and engagement tool.
• Nina Lake Wetland - Fish Egress Project Wetland restoration project replacing dam infrastructure with new culverts to reconnect approximately 860 acres of wetland for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding while maintaining water level control.
• ProMEPP (Process-Based Marsh Establishment Pilot Project) Pilot project exploring new, nature-based approaches to restore Fraser River Estuary wetlands by working with natural river processes.
• Living Dike / Boundary Bay Living Dike Experimental nature-based coastal infrastructure using sediment, plants, and brushwood to protect communities from sea-level rise while restoring habitat.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6.35 million acres of critical habitat conserved, including 3.1 million acres restored
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives (MBFI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026DUC provided $1 million worth of land near Brandon, Manitoba to expand the Brookdale Research Farm operated by MBFI. The expansion increases the farm's size by 42%, enhancing research into sustainable beef and forage practices. The collaboration supports advancements in environmentally sustainable livestock management and land use decisions, benefiting over 6,500 cattle farms in Manitoba.
• Elk Valley ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2026Elk Valley Resources partnered with DUC on the $1.3 million Suzanne Creek Marsh restoration project in southeastern British Columbia. The project revitalized aging water-control infrastructure built in 1986 that was in significant disrepair. Without upgrades, the wetland would have shrunk from 10.6 hectares to 1.47 hectares (86% decrease).
• Loblaw Companies LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026DUC and Loblaw Companies Limited announced a partnership to promote sustainable agriculture in Canada, focusing on rehabilitating marginal farmlands, improving soil health, and supporting biodiversity. Loblaw's support enables DUC to expand conservation initiatives such as the Marginal Areas Program and crop rotation options, benefiting farmers and ecosystems. The collaboration aims to foster regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems.
• Watersheds CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025DUC and Watersheds Canada completed ten wetlands across Eastern and Central Ontario to improve water quality in the Great Lakes. The project, supported by the Great Lakes Local Action Fund and local landowners, aims to restore wetlands for ecosystem health and community benefits.
• Funding InnovationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2022Raised $1 million for DUC through its art easel fundraising program, supporting DUC's nationwide efforts to conserve and restore wetlands vital for environmental health, water quality, and climate resilience.
• University of British Columbia Coastal Adaptation LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead partner on the SEEDS (Sustainable Ecosystem Enhancement with Dredged Sediments) initiative, working to connect science, design, policy and stewardship at a larger scale for the Fraser Delta. The collaboration brings together First Nations, municipalities, regulators, scientists, engineers and conservation groups to rethink sediment management.
• University of British Columbia Coastal Systems Engineering LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner on the SEEDS initiative, providing coastal engineering expertise for sediment reuse and marsh restoration projects in the Fraser Delta.
• Raincoast Conservation FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project, working to return dredged sediment to intertidal zones to rebuild marshes and support coastal resilience.
• Tsawwassen First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community partner on the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project, providing traditional knowledge and participating in collaborative restoration efforts.
• Lower Fraser Fisheries AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project, representing Indigenous and community interests in fisheries and habitat restoration.
• Nature ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative partnership focused on urban-adjacent projects that reduce the effects of flooding due to extreme weather. Nature Force supports projects including the Living Dike, Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot, and Mud Bay Foreshore Enhancements.
• University of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUC established the DUC Endowed Chair in Wetland and Waterfowl Research at the University of Saskatchewan - the first of its kind in Canada. The chair advances scientific research in wetland and waterfowl conservation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Wildlife Federation: National Canadian conservation nonprofit focused on wildlife and habitat conservation, with comparable education programs, membership model, and donor base. Similar mix of conservation delivery, public engagement, and government partnership.
• Ducks Unlimited Inc. The US counterpart organization, also founded to conserve waterfowl habitat. Operates as a separate entity but shares the Ducks Unlimited brand and continental NAWMP mission. Most directly comparable peer — same organizational model, mission, and funding structures, just operating in a different geography.
• Trout Unlimited Canada: Canadian nonprofit focused on coldwater fisheries habitat conservation. Smaller in scale than DUC but uses a similar model of partnerships with landowners, government grants, and volunteer-based habitat restoration.
• National Audubon Society: US-based bird and habitat conservation nonprofit with comparable membership model, chapter network, conservation science arm, and policy advocacy focus. Most directly comparable US peer to DUC in terms of mission, member engagement, and habitat delivery.
• World Wildlife Fund Canada: Major Canadian conservation nonprofit working on wildlife, habitat, and climate issues. Comparable in scale and revenue, fundraising model (individual donors, corporate partnerships, government grants), and advocacy-based mission — though WWF is more global policy-oriented vs. DUC's land management focus.
• Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest private land conservation nonprofit, focused on protecting natural areas through purchase and stewardship. Direct peer with a similar model of acquiring and managing conservation lands, raising funds from individuals, corporations, and governments, and operating nationwide in Canada.
• Bird Studies Canada / Birds Canada: Canadian bird conservation nonprofit operating monitoring, research, and citizen science programs. Closely aligned on avian science, waterfowl population data, and habitat research — overlapping significantly with DUC's Institute for Wetland & Waterfowl Research.
• Wildlife Habitat Canada: Canadian conservation organization that directs funds to habitat conservation projects nationwide. Closely comparable funding model (habitat conservation grant-making), scope (national), and focus on waterfowl/wildlife outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global leader in private land conservation, operating across dozens of countries with a much larger scale. Overlapping business model (conservation land trust, science-based prioritization, donor and government funding) but at a much broader scale and with international reach.

Emerging players

• Nature United (The Nature Conservancy Canada): The Nature Conservancy's Canadian affiliate, focused on Indigenous-led conservation and large-scale landscape stewardship. Increasingly overlapping with DUC's work on boreal conservation and Indigenous partnerships in Canada.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCR5V5lumfBOHkGOYxKbghsg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ducksunlimitedcanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/627729
• Instagraminstagram.com/ducksunlimitedcanada
• Xx.com/ducanada

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ducks Unlimited Canada