WOOD DUCK PROGRAM

Producing Wood Ducks and Conservationists

Goals:
• Provide waterfowl and wetlands education
• Enhance forested riparian habitats
• Increase California’s resident wood duck population

California Waterfowl’s Wood Duck Program to Hatched it’s 500,000th Wood Duck Duckling this Year

To watch our interview with KCRA, click here>>

Since 1991, California Waterfowl’s Wood Duck Program has hatched over 500,000 ducklings from boxes placed and maintained by volunteers across the state.  This is the most extensive volunteer nest box program in North America, thanks to the efforts of over 400 active volunteers statewide.

Learn more about this milestone by clicking here>>

Project Spotlight: The Biggest Box Building Day EVER!

This fall CWA prepared for one of the largest scale Wood Duck nest box building operations it had ever seen. The goal: 250 wood duck boxes in approximately seven hours at Scout Expo 2007. To learn whether they reached their goal or not, click here>>

About CWA’s Wood Duck Program

The Concern
In California, wood duck habitat has been drastically reduced. Only 5% of historical forested wetlands remain in California’s Central Valley. The Central Valley is believed to be the most important wintering and nesting area for wood ducks in the Pacific Flyway.

CWA's Approach
Wood ducks are unusual ducks because they nest in the cavities of trees, along waterways such as rivers, creeks, and ponds. In California, 95 percent of these habitats have been lost. Luckily, wood ducks will also nest in man-made boxes. CWA coordinates the most extensive volunteer nest box program in the nation, hatching more than 30,000 ducklings each year. Equally important are the educational values of this program and the work that goes into restoring the duck’s riparian habitats. To learn more about the Wood Duck Program, click here>>

More Details
• Recent Accomplishments
• Learn more about Wood Duck Needs
• Program Partners
• Wood Duck Box Plans
• State Project Map
• Program Advisors