Local efforts by the Roanoke Valley Duck Unlimited Chapter have contributed to the conservation of more than 100,000 acres in North Carolina.

On November 20 at the American Legion, the local chapter will again hold its annual banquet to help in these efforts, District Chairman Kevin Hawkins said.

The DU 2014 State Report notes the conservation organization recently achieved a milestone, investing more than $21 million in wetlands across the state.

(For more information contact DU Area Chairman Matt Glenn at 252-578-0026)

“Through more than 130 projects, DU and partners have protected more than 19,000 acres through conservation easements and public acquisition,” the report says, adding the organization has restored or enhanced more than 87,000 acres of wetland habitat on both public and private lands. “Almost 27,000 acres of conservation easements and habitat restoration projects were completed in fiscal year 2014.”

This year's banquet gets under way at 6 p.m., with a dinner at 7 that is catered by FoSho and includes a 12-ounce ribeye, baked potato, salad and steamed shrimp with cheesecake for the dessert. There will be an open bar with premium liquors served.

Tickets are $60 for a single and $100 for a couple. A sponsorship ticket is $300 while a sponsorship table is $600. A corporate table is $800.

A Green Wing ticket for those under 17 is $35.

A live auction will begin at 8 p.m. and includes a variety of DU items, including eight prints, four carved decoys and other other items.

The auction also includes a silver Montefeltro and Benelli shotgun, which is DU's gun of the year, and a Beretta model 92FS, which is the organization's firearm of the year.

Raffle packs are available for the chance to win one of 25 guns.

The event is not just for hunters, Hawkins said. “Everyone should care about all your wetlands, which are essential to the ecosystem. It helps to preserve the future of waterfowl for generations to come.”