Delta Waterfowl Applauds Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Refuge Habitat

Proposal would allow refuge managers to use outside assistance to complete important work for ducks and duck hunters

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, today introduced the National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Partnership Act, which provides the statutory authority for the National Wildlife Refuge System to enter into contracts with outside entities to perform habitat improvement work on refuges across the country.

To address scarce resources and a demonstrated need to enhance habitat on refuges across the country, the bill would create an avenue for state and local governments, tribes, businesses, nonprofits and local habitat experts to work with refuge staff to achieve refuge habitat objectives.

“We sincerely appreciate Sen. Boozman and Sen. Padilla demonstrating their leadership toward a brighter future for refuges,” said John Devney, chief policy officer for Delta Waterfowl. “We’re grateful for their understanding of the importance of refuges for ducks and duck hunters, and the wide range of valuable habitat refuges provide for wildlife and people. This shared stewardship legislation will allow refuge managers to access new resources to do the good habitat work that is so desperately needed.”

Delta has continued to advocate for improved habitat on the Refuge System through its Restoring Our Refuges initiative, launched in 2025. The ROR campaign was further strengthened when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed the “Making America’s National Wildlife Refuges Great Again” order last week.

“This legislation, in conjunction with Sec. Burgum’s order and pending reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund, moves us much closer to significantly improved habitat on our refuges and acknowledges the critically important role refuges play for waterfowl and waterfowl hunters,” Devney said. “We’re grateful to see the legislative and executive branches working to address the challenges faced by the National Wildlife Refuge System.”

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit our website.

For more information, contact John Devney.