SouthCoast’s Mass Audubon Duck Derby Raises $23,000 for Conservation

Release the ducks!

The annual Duck Derby made a splash once again at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport on Wednesday, October 1, as thousands of little yellow competitors bobbed their way from Buzzards Bay into Allens Pond in support of local conservation.

Mass Audubon, New England’s largest nature-based conservation organization, hosted the 22nd annual race to benefit its nationally recognized Coastal Waterbird Program, which safeguards vulnerable shorebirds and restores vital coastal habitats across Massachusetts.

This year, 2,580 sponsored ducks braved the tide, each representing a chance to win one of three unique experience-based prizes. In total, the 2025 Duck Derby raised more than $23,000 for wildlife conservation.

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Winners to Be Revealed Friday

The suspense isn’t over yet. The winning ducks will be announced on Friday, October 3, during the Duck Derby Celebration at Allens Pond’s historic Stone Barn. Guests are invited to bring their own lunch, enjoy light refreshments, and celebrate with Mass Audubon staff, volunteers and supporters.

Speakers will include Gina Purtell, Conservation Project Manager, and Lyra Brennan, Director of the Coastal Waterbird Program, who will highlight the powerful impact of community support, including:

• Protecting and monitoring threatened coastal waterbirds such as Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers.
• Restoring and monitoring salt marshes that buffer communities from storms.
• Engaging local families and volunteers in hands-on stewardship and education.

The Impact Beyond Allens Pond

The ripple effect of the Duck Derby reaches far beyond the SouthCoast. In 2024, Mass Audubon:

• Protected 379 pairs of Piping Plovers — 32 percent of the state’s total population.
• Partnered with 43 municipalities to safeguard 141 miles of shoreline.
• Increased American Oystercatcher abundance by 21 percent statewide.

READ MORE: Mass Audubon 2024 Duck Derby Winning and Losing Results [VIDEO]

Attendees will also meet Mass Audubon’s new Regional Director, who will play a key role in shaping the future of conservation across the SouthCoast.

Quackers With a Purpose

“This event may look whimsical on the surface, but the impact is real and lasting,” said Brennan. “Every duck entry supports vital conservation work that protects our coastlines and the birds that depend on them. It’s a fun way for families, neighbors, and entire communities to be part of something bigger.”

The top three winning ducks will earn one-of-a-kind prizes:

• Stone Barn Soirée – A chef-crafted VIP dining experience at Allens Pond’s historic Stone Barn.
• Picnic With the Barnyard Elite – A behind-the-scenes animal encounter at Drumlin Farm, followed by a gourmet picnic.
• Osprey Odyssey – A guided cruise up the Westport River with riverside gourmet dining and spectacular Osprey viewing.

Other prizes include a Mass Audubon Family Membership, a Duck Derby swag bag, and the lighthearted “Slacker Quacker” award for the last duck to cross the finish line.

No Duck Left Behind

Lastly- yes, every duck counts. To protect waterways, all 2,580 ducks were retrieved after the race and will be stored for next year’s competition.

The 2025 Duck Derby was more than just a day of floating fun. It was a demonstration of how a community can come together to ensure the survival of the birds and habitats that make the SouthCoast so special.

Here's some photos from previous Duck Derbys: