Faculty Profile: Scott Yaich

Dr. Scott Yaich joined Ducks Unlimited’s staff in National Headquarters in 2001, and is currently DU’s Chief Scientist.  Prior to assuming that position in 2014, he served as Director of Conservation Operations for NHQ since 2007, and Director of Conservation Programs and Director or Conservation Planning between 2001 and 2007.  He has been DU’s lead on the Clean Water Act since 2003, providing science-based testimony to Congress several times and science support for DU’s amicus brief in the Supreme Court’s Rapanos case.  Before coming to DU, Dr. Yaich worked for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for 13 years as Wetlands and Waterfowl Program Coordinator, Chief of the Wildlife Division, and Deputy Director of the agency’s Wildlife, Fisheries, and Enforcement divisions.  He also worked as a regional biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for four years.  Over his over 30-year career, he has served on or led numerous national and international bodies related to wetland and waterfowl conservation, including the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative’s U.S. Committee, the national and North American State of the Birds science teams, and the Mississippi Flyway Council.  Dr. Yaich received his Ph.D. and M.A. from Southern Illinois University and his B.A. from the University of Delaware.