Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge hosted a ceremony to mark a million dollar milestone for Ducks Unlimited in November. Credit: USFWS

Milton Cooper and family view a monument honoring his accomplishments at a Prime Hook refuge ceremony. Credit: USFWS

Nearly 100 people gathered at the headquarters area of the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on November 20 to unveil a monument paying dual tribute to renowned conservationist Milton W. Cooper and to mark a million dollar milestone for the Ducks Unlimited (DU) Delaware Bay Initiative.

Mr. Cooper’s lifelong dedication (67 years service as a DU volunteer) to improve waterfowl habitat conservation in Sussex County, Del., and around the nation was recognized by local, state and regional DU representatives.  Mr. Cooper, 91, established the Eastern Sussex DU Chapter in 1971.  His lead has recently inspired local Eastern Sussex DU members to get behind a concerted fund raising drive for a Delaware Bay Initiative to enhance marsh habitats for waterfowl in Delaware. Over 1.5 million dollars were raised for this initiative.