OTTUMWA — Minnesota may be the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but Iowa has its own claim to a number of lakes and marshes thanks in part to a conservation organization in our backyard.

The Wapello County chapter of Ducks Unlimited is part of that effort and in recent years, the group, along with other state chapters, have helped to raise several million dollars in order to restore or enhance thousands of acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat in Iowa.

Dave VandenBoom is the area chairman and state recruitment chairman for DU in Iowa. He visits the Courier every year to tout the organization’s recent efforts and to get me to attend the upcoming banquet.

So, finally, I agree and will take part in this weekend’s event.

Aside from the food, which I’ve been told will be outstanding, I’m interested in some of the good works that DU is doing.

I’m not a hunter and for years I was under the misimpression that DU was a hunting organization.

But as VandenBoom and others have pointed out, DU is committed to protecting Iowa’s wetlands and habitats of hundreds of animals, not just ducks. In fact, DU’s efforts are well known in helping to restore animal populations.

The numbers of migrating waterfowl, raptors, wading birds, muskrats, mink, otters and beavers have all benefited from the restoration efforts of DU and others.

VandenBoom said these efforts are not just environmental, but more about quality of life issues that impacts all of us — hunters, farmers, trail enthusiasts or just the average Iowan.

Rural development is certainly an area of concern. As business and industry move out of town and into rural areas and more and more homeowners build large acreages, wetlands, marshes, ponds and lakes are often damaged or destroyed.

There is also the move to take CRP land and return those acres back into rotation, with more corn and soybeans being planted.

VandenBoom made it clear that the more we encroach upon these fragile animal habitats, the end result will mean fewer ducks and geese in Iowa. Water quality issues will also be impacted and the beautiful Iowa landscape could be destroyed or severely damaged.

He said DU believes in a balancing act between development and the maintaining critical and needed wetlands.

I applaud their efforts and look forward to celebrating the organization’s success this weekend.

Jeff Hutton is the Courier’s associate editor. He can be reached at (641) 683-5380 or via e-mail at: jeff@ottumwacourier.com.