For Webster County Ducks Unlimited, games, dancing and good food is more than just a good time, it's wetlands conservation.
The local conservation group held their annual dance and pig roast Sunday afternoon, attracting around 500 people for raffles, auctions, games and "good times."
"Basically it's the family event of the season," said Don Zabel, committee chairman. "It's a lot different from our membership banquet, where you mostly only see men. This event is for the whole family."
But it's more than just a good time. According to Ducks Unlimited national board member David Haggard the event usually manages to raise around $15,000 to $20,000 every year that goes towards the protection and restoration of wetlands habitat.
The first part of the event is devoted the children, with games and prizes to win, which is fitting as "this is about leaving a legacy of natural resources for our kids," said Haggard.
The money raised can be seen in action in water and wetlands restoration projects like the one at Diamond Lake, in Okoboji, and over the next two years at Lizard Lake, which is south of Gilmore City.
The event also offered the group the opportunity to get the word out on Iowa's Water & Land Legacy Amendment, a constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot Nov. 2. The amendment would use a portion of the next cent sales tax increase to raise around $150 million a year to help protect and restore wetlands, lakes, rivers, streams and wildlife habitat, said Haggard.
The mission of restoring wetlands is important to everything from clean drinking water to lessening the impact of floods like the ones experienced over the last summer, added Haggard.
Haggard said he'd like for the event to remain the state's largest Ducks Unlimited independent event, and almost as importantly, "I'd like for everyone to have a good time."
Contact Ian Schmit at (515) 573-2141 or ischmit@messengernews.net
