California Waterfowl Association
California Waterfowl
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Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Waterfowl and Wetlands
With the goal of sustaining and/or increasing waterfowl populations, Waterfowl and Wetland Projects focus on increasing and improving habitats that are critical to waterfowl. Because restoring and enhancing habitat through upland and wetland restoration projects has been determined to be most important conservation effort to sustain and increase waterfowl populations, California Waterfowl will continue these efforts using a variety of federal, state, and private partnerships.
California Waterfowl will perform project evaluations, conduct breeding waterfowl surveys, and assist state and federal agencies in determining annual survival, harvest distribution, and local production through banding of mallards and pintails.
Heritage Programs
California Waterfowl will introduce nature and recreation through in-class presentations, field trips, teacher resources, publications, festival exhibits, adventure days. We will provide intensive hands-on skill-building through hunter education camps, conservation camps, youth waterfowl banding days, shooting clinics, junior hunts, restoration projects, and other exciting outdoor experiences.
Several years ago California Waterfowl hired a fulltime staff member to assist with what had been a volunteer run hunter education program. This program focuses on children and provides them with unique and affordable opportunities to learn skills necessary to become conservation minded hunters. For the Conservation Programs Education Projects our efforts to educate, recruit, and retain the next generation of hunter conservationists.
Government Affairs & Public Policy
Conservation Program
California Waterfowl has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and restore wetlands, marshes, and other important habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife. One of the most successful conservation programs is the Wetlands Restoration Project, which focuses on rehabilitating and preserving wetlands. These efforts have not only benefited waterfowl and other wildlife but have also helped to improve water quality and reduce erosion. These programs work to protect and restore waterfowl and other wildlife habitats while also educating and engaging the next generation of conservationists. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the CWA and its supporters, California's waterfowl and their habitats are better protected and more sustainable than ever before.
Education Program
California Waterfowl Association is committed to educating the public about the importance of waterfowl and wetland habitats, and the creatures that rely on them. These ecosystems are vital not just in California, but also around the world. That's why we offer a range of educational programs and resources for students, teachers, and the general public to learn about conservation and how they can make a difference.
By participating in our educational programs, you can learn more about the conservation of waterfowl and wetland habitats, and help us inspire the next generation of conservationists and advocates.
Scholarships
CWA offers a number of scholarships that offer up to $4,000 to college students studying a biological field, or help pay the costs of attending our summer camps. Applicants should submit a ONE-page proposal summary description on an original research or management project.
Wood Duck Program
Wood ducks are among the most charismatic ducks in our state with their distinctive squeals, colorful plumage, and unusual nesting habits. The Wood Duck Program is ideal for families, a hands-on way to teach children about environmental stewardship, science and the needs of wildlife. You can build your own box from scratch.
Delayed Wheat Harvest Program
n California, we know our vast rice fields serve as "surrogate wetlands" for waterfowl. But our fields of winter wheat and triticale can play an equally important role as "surrogate uplands" where ducks and other ground-nesting birds can build nests safely hidden from predators. Despite this challenge, farmers in California have found ways to coexist.
Egg Salvage Program
California Waterfowl established the Dwight L. Merriman Jr. Egg Salvage and Duck Rescue Program in 2014 to do one important thing. It is to promote a coordinated voluntary effort to rescue nests imperiled by normal and necessary farming operations.
Rice Levee Program
California Waterfowls Rice Levee Program pays rice farmers to provide waterfowl nesting habitat on the levees in their planted rice fields during the spring and summer.
Where we work
External reviews
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How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
California Waterfowl Association
Board of directorsas of 02/13/2024
Mr. Austin Edwards
California Waterfowl
Term: 2023 - 2025
Greg Dyer
California Waterfowl
Term: 2023 - 2025
Austin Edwards
Chair
Greg Dyer
Vice Chair
Mark Bittner
Secretary
Chris Dobson
Treasurer
Andrew Foraker
Director
Dan Connelly
Director
Jay Reagan
Director
Gemma Dalena
Director
Mike Marshall
Director
Peter Ottesen
Director
Maya Kepner
Director
Aslam Malik
Director
Morgan Read
Director
Bill Lafayette
Director
Rocque Merlo
Director
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/13/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.