Shawn Graham, former premier of New Brunswick, has been elected as the 47th president of Ducks Unlimited Canada's (DUC) volunteer board of directors. The election took place at DUC's annual general meeting on June 20 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Decades of Conservation Leadership
Graham brings decades of leadership experience in conservation and public service to the role. His connection with DUC began more than 30 years ago as a university student attending a local fundraising dinner in Kent County, New Brunswick. Inspired by the community spirit and conservation mission, he joined the local volunteer committee and eventually became its chair.
“That first experience opened my eyes to the power of grassroots conservation and the role communities can play in protecting habitats,” said Graham. “It was the beginning of a lifelong connection.”
From those early volunteer roots, Graham continued to serve DUC at both the provincial and national levels. After a 15-year career in public office, including serving as premier of New Brunswick from 2006 to 2010, he joined DUC's national board in 2011. He has contributed extensively, including serving as chair on key committees such as governance and government relations.
Vision for the Future
Graham stated that financial resilience will be a high priority during his term so the organization can scale its conservation work to meet current and future challenges. He plans to expand partnerships with like-minded organizations to unlock new sources of investment in conservation.
“We have one of the strongest conservation brands in Canada and our work benefits organizations, their employees, and their customers in a variety of ways,” said Graham.
He also aims to replicate the success of the Atlantic Habitat Fund across the country by establishing a framework for national and provincial partnerships to support infrastructure and habitat investment. This approach would bring together governments and partners to secure long-term funding for conservation priorities nationwide.
Atlantic Habitat Fund Legacy
As premier, Graham played a pivotal role in establishing the Atlantic Habitat Fund, an innovative multi-partner initiative that brought together provincial, federal, and organizational investments to support wetland conservation in Atlantic Canada.
“I’m deeply honoured by our board of directors and the confidence they have placed in me to help further Ducks Unlimited Canada’s mission as president,” said Graham, who served as vice-president of DUC's board for two years before becoming president. “I would also like to recognize the outstanding leadership of my predecessor, Patrick O’Connor, whose dedication and stewardship during his role as president have strengthened DUC and positioned us for continued success.”
