Watch DU’s newest online film: “Mallard Rest”

Ducks Unlimited (DU) recently released the latest film in its online series, DU Films.

In this film, the second of season 7, DU Films showcases the Rozier family of Greenwood, Miss. Their commitment to waterfowl and wetlands conservation is carried on through continuing the legacy of a unique and outstanding property named Mallard Rest.

Billy Dunavant, Wetlands of America Trust Emeritus board member and instrumental force behind DU national headquarters residing in Memphis, Tenn., owned and developed the property for waterfowl hunting and conservation. Continuing what Dunavant started is priority one for the Rozier family.

“I’ve been told by a lot of people who have hunted ducks all their lives that Mallard Rest was in the top three hunting spots in Mississippi,” said Mike Rozier. “I want to get it back to that level, back to the way it was under Mr. Dunavant. He took care of the land; he is a great conservationist.”

Ducks Unlimited Executive Secretary Dan Thiel has known and worked with the Dunavant family for many years. From a DU wetlands conservation standpoint, it was important that the new owners of Mallard Rest understand the property’s wetlands and waterfowl value and continue that heritage.

“Billy Dunavant acquired Mallard Rest over 40 years ago,” Thiel said. “He enjoyed hunting and fellowship there and he worked hard developing the habitat, creating a paradise for waterfowl and other wildlife. DU could not be more pleased that the Rozier family now owns Mallard Rest. They have an incredible plan for preserving the wetlands conservation legacy of the property and the knowledge and desire to carry it out.”

One of the biggest challenges to waterfowl and wetlands conservation on private properties is ownership changing hands throughout generations and new plans being implemented. Ducks Unlimited’s conservation easement program solves that problem by legally placing development restrictions on property in perpetuity. Work is now underway to put Mallard Rest into conservation easement.

“The lands that I hunted in high school are totally different now,” Rozier said. “I think it’s very important to conserve what you have today and make it better for tomorrow.”

New films will follow each month during the spring and summer. Every film from previous seasons is available for viewing now at www.ducks.org/dufilms.

DU Films is produced by Rock Road Creative and sponsored by Mossy Oak, Drake Waterfowl, Winchester Repeating Arms, Winchester Ammunition and Yeti.

Watch the new film at www.ducks.org/dufilms and be sure to follow DU’s news Twitter feed-@DUNews1937-to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited. 

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 15 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 our work, visit www.ducks.org.