Rice lands play a vital role in supporting North America's agricultural productivity and migratory bird populations. Through the USA Rice – Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership, Ducks Unlimited collaborates with rice producers to improve water efficiency, enhance soil health and create critical habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Why It Matters
- Water Conservation: Improve irrigation efficiency and reduce water usage, ensuring sustainable practices that benefit both farms and ecosystems.
- Wildlife Habitat Creation: Enhance wetland areas to provide vital habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife species.
- Farm Efficiency: Adopt practices that reduce input costs while maintaining high yields, improving operational efficiency and profitability.
- Environmental Impact: Address water quality challenges with sediment and nutrient management to protect surrounding ecosystems.
Sustainable Rice Farming Practices
The Rice Stewardship Partnership provides rice producers with tailored solutions that balance agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship. Here's how Ducks Unlimited works with farmers:
Implement Water Management Plans
Enhance irrigation systems to optimize water delivery and reduce waste
Restore Wetlands
Create or enhance wetland areas that benefit waterfowl and improve the environmental footprint of rice farms
Promote Soil Health
Adopt practices like crop rotation and cover crops to improve resilience and nutrient efficiency
Why Rice And Ducks?
In the 1980s, waterfowl biologists recognized that private lands were essential for supporting wintering and migrating waterfowl. Rice production areas—such as California's Central Valley, the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley and the Gulf Coast—have become critical working landscapes for migratory birds.
Fast Facts:
- Over 50% of U.S. wintering dabbling ducks are found in rice production areas.
- The Rice Stewardship Partnership has impacted 1 million acres on over 1,000 farms since 2013.
Achievements Over the Past Decade
10-Year Milestone
The USA Rice — Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, marking a decade of helping producers implement water-wise agricultural practices.
Field Expertise
The partnership has built a field team of 25+ professionals from Ducks Unlimited, USA Rice, California Rice Commission and Delta Wildlife, who possess deep experience in on-farm conservation.
Farm Impact
Over 1,000 rice farms spanning nearly 1 million acres have benefited from conservation planning, financial assistance and improved environmental performance.
Funding Success
$108 million in financial assistance delivered through USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program; $80 million awarded in 2022 from the USDA Climate Smart Commodities program to advance sustainable practices.
Supply Chain Sponsorship
25 financial sponsors contributed over $10 million to support conservation initiatives, including Walmart Foundation, Nestle Purina, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Mosaic, Nutrien, Chevron, among others.
Building Success through Partnerships
The Rice Stewardship Partnership thrives because of strong collaborations with agricultural producers, industry leaders, and conservation organizations. Together, we're advancing sustainable practices, protecting habitats and ensuring the long-term viability of rice farming.
Sponsor Levels
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Sponsor
Get Involved
Since 1937, we have worked with farmers and producers to find science-based solutions and implement sustainable practices on agriculture lands.
Rice and Waterfowl: A Conservation Story
Alex Sylvester
Louisiana Rice and Crawfish Farmer
“The fully automated pumps we use from Valley Irrigation are the best part of the USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited program. Keeping water on fields for rice and crawfish has become much more efficient with the new pump system."
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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DU tries to work with operations of all sizes, where programs exist. Reach out to learn how we can help you.
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Please click here to learn what opportunities exist in your location. Reach out to learn how we can help you.
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Not necessarily. We do often work in partnership with agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and can help administer that process, but often our programs are slightly different and involve a blend of partners.
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This can vary depending on the program, but most are around five years. DU recognizes that practice change can be intimidating and often requires flexibility for extenuating circumstances. We view our work with private landowners as joint partnerships; not contractual relationships.
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No. This is never a requirement of our programs unless explicitly noted or used as weighting criteria. We do believe in the importance of outdoor recreation opportunities, especially for youth and will try to support access programs in a voluntary way that minimize burdens on landowners.
