If you love waterfowl, wetlands and hunting and live in Southern California, you won't want to miss our Orange County dinner on May 19 at the Huntington Beach Elks Lodge. CWA president John Carlson, Jr., will be in attendance as well as most of our program managers and board of directors, and they want to meet YOU.

California Waterfowl is working to increase our programs in Southern California, and we need your input and support to help make that happen. On the day of the dinner, CWA managers and board members will be touring local wildlife areas and duck clubs to get a better understanding of the region-specific issues and needs.

Here's what we're doing in Southern California, and where we need help:

Habitat work: At the Imperial Valley Wildlife Area, Wister Unit Units 312 and 513a recently received new green feed units, including new leveling and highline delivery structures for drastically improved irrigation efficiency. We’ve also started a big pipeline and water control structure replacement project at Wister and the San Jacinto Wildlife Area. We're also working to improve waterfowl habitat and hunting in the Tulare Basin, which serves Southern California hunters. We're restoring habitat and allowing public hunting at our Goose Lake property.

California Waterfowl rebuilt 310 acres of wetlands in Field 413 of the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area between 2014 and 2016. The wetlands are maturing well and were great for waterfowl hunting in the 2017-18 season.

Wheat being planted by DFW at the Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Unit 312.

Defending wetlands: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors in December approved a massive development next to the San Jacinto Wildlife Area despite the objections of California Waterfowl, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and numerous advocates for the area. California Waterfowl will work with the county and the developer to reduce the impacts of this development on wildlife. Read more here.

Hunt program: California Waterfowl's Hunt Program provides ordinary hunters access to hunts on private lands, which is critical for keeping hunters engaged and supporting conservation, instead of dropping out. But we can't offer this access unless clubs and landowners donate hunts, and our offerings in Southern California have been slim. If you own a club, or know someone who does, and are interested in donating a hunt, please call Jeff Smith at 530-305-9234 or email jsmith@calwaterfowl.org, or click here. We offer hunts for all game species - it's not limited to waterfowl.

We hope to see you at the OC dinner!

California Waterfowl Orange County Dinner, May 19, at the Huntington Beach Elks Lodge.