Millions of people in North America are blissfully unaware that we have a wetlands problem and don’t realize they should care. Wetlands are being destroyed at an alarming rate, and with each passing year, more of the general public becomes disconnected from the natural world. These ecosystems are vital for wildlife, water quality, and flood control, yet they continue to disappear as human development and environmental degradation persist.

We must take innovative steps to raise awareness and inspire action. That’s why we created 50 Ducks—a pioneering platform designed to connect people with the natural world in a meaningful and engaging way.

By using cutting-edge technology, we can not only educate but also foster a personal connection between the public and these critical ecosystems. This is about securing the future of our beloved natural resources for generations to come. We’re not just tracking ducks; we’re creating a movement to make wetlands and wildlife conservation a priority for everyone.

50 Ducks uses GPS telemetry data to explore key scientific questions while also taking a unique approach to public engagement. 50 Ducks is the first-of-its-kind platform that brings GPS-tagged waterfowl to the public in an interactive and educational way. While millions of kids may never experience a duck blind, 50 Ducks brings the “sky to screen,” showing kids, hunters, birders, and conservationists alike the magic of waterfowl migration.

50Ducks.com is a pioneering platform that provides an interactive livestream of individual waterfowl. With over 1,350 GPS-tagged waterfowl and 13 million data points from previously banded birds on our interactive historical map (representing no longer living waterfowl), and with 50-100 new waterfowl being banded every fall and spring, the public can now follow waterfowl in real-time, finally answering the age-old question: “Where are the ducks?”

50 Ducks is free to teachers and provides classrooms the opportunity to name their own waterfowl, fostering a personal connection with migrating birds and aiming to educate the next generation of conservationists. From Atlanta, Georgia, to British Columbia, students and organizations have named birds like Fat Daddy, Ms. Quack Quack, and Rocky.

For experienced hunters and the general public alike, 50 Ducks lets you take part in what we hope to be the largest-scale citizen science waterfowl project since the adoption of aluminum leg bands. Now individuals across the continent can follow the movements of GPS-tagged waterfowl at 50ducks.com and see how temperature, pressure systems, snow cover, and more affect waterfowl movement. Not only that, 50 Ducks provides advanced metrics such as flight speed for in-flight movements. Every duck’s journey is a story worth sharing.

Without your support, we cannot continue this critical work. Whether you’re a conservationist, hunter, or educator, consider joining us today and becoming part of the movement to protect wetlands and understand waterfowl migration in a way that’s never been done before.