Doug Miller Honored by Ducks Unlimited in Utah
OutdoorHub 09.28.11
Salt Lake City, UT – September 28, 2011 – A living landmark now bears the name of Utah’s most famous outdoorsman. Ducks Unlimited (DU) today formally dedicated the Doug Miller Tribute Project in the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area of Utah’s Great Salt Lake. With the 370-acre wetland unit as a backdrop, Ducks Unlimited unveiled the sign bearing tribute to “Mr. Outdoors.”
“Doug Miller was the consummate sportsman and conservationist,” said Jeff McCreary, DU’s Director of Conservation Programs. “He loved hunting, fishing and the great outdoors as much as he did educating people about the need to preserve and conserve our vanishing wetland habitat.”
Guests attending the dedication ceremony included Miller’s wife Marilyn, daughter Karen Coleman and members from a key partner in the project, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
“Doug Miller was a popular and passionate part of many Ducks Unlimited Banquets in Utah over the years,” said Phil Douglass, Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. “Doug’s contribution to conservation was widely known through his television programs but he was honored to join with sportsmen and women for the common cause of bringing “More Bucks for Ducks,” as only he could say in his unmistakable, fun and sincere way.”
In creating the Doug Miller Unit, Ducks Unlimited constructed a new 5,000-foot long dike, installed additional outlet structures and restructured conduits for water supply. The result was an increase in overall waterfowl and wetland habitat at the Farmington Bay WMA and improved habitat management capabilities in surrounding units.
“I think Doug would be thrilled to know this namesake landscape will provide waterfowl habitat and promote conservation for generations to come,” said McCreary.
Because the newly dedicated area is still in early growth stages, event hosts were unable to include Miller’s many fans in the dedication for fear of damage to the fragile habitat. But the public is invited to enjoy the Doug Miller Tribute area as a great addition to Utah’s waterfowl hunting heritage.
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. For more information on Ducks Unlimited, wetland conservation and waterfowl hunting, visit www.ducks.org.
