Waterfowl research center poised for national impact

A new waterfowl research center that aims to advance waterfowl and wetlands research and transform the industry was recently announced during a ceremony at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

The event, co-hosted with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, marked the creation of the Snowden Waterfowl Center of Excellence and the Dyke-Snowden Endowed Chair of Waterfowl and Wetlands. Government and higher education leaders from across the state were in attendance, including Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who participated in the announcement of the center and endowed chair, made possible through $7 million in contributions.

The project received initial funding during the 2022 Arkansas legislative session when the Division of Agriculture received a $1 million appropriation toward a waterfowl and wetlands endowed chair at UAM. The funds were accompanied by a challenge to raise $1 million in private contributions to complete the $2 million endowment.

PHOTO: Relaxed drake wood duck in flooded timber. (Adobe Stock │ #282162171 – Don Mroczkowski)