When Karen Wood joined Ducks Unlimited in 1988 she wanted to help preserve the habitats of waterfowl around the state.

Twenty years later, she made history, as she became the first woman to become chair of the Alabama chapter of the international organization. She is also one of only three women chairing at the state level in the organization.

“When I started, guys didn’t like (women) in the organization,” Wood said. “Then they saw how organized we could be.”

Since joining, Wood has been involved with the management of the state chapter at many different levels.

She has been the Alabama Ducks Unlimited State Secretary since 1998, served as district chairperson for two years, organized two sponsor events and several area events as well as participating on numerous committees.

She was selected to be state chair after former holders of that office — known as greybeards — decided she would be the best person for the job.

“The guy that was wanting her asked me if I would approve,” Wood’s husband, Wayne, said. “She is off to a good start.”

Fund raising is a key part of the organization’s success, and Wood has done her share in Alabama.

Shortly after taking office, she secured a donation from Alabama Power totaling nearly $40,000.

“It is a good boost to start my new tenure,” she said.

Wood has also been instrumental in the state’s Ducks Unlimited vanity license plate program.

During the plate’s first few years, Wood and her husband underwrote a program sending postcards to Ducks Unlimited members to remind them about the availability of the plates.

She ordered a plate when they first became available. The plate, which had a five-character limit, read I KARE. The plate carries a dual meaning.

It shows Wood’s passion for conservation and is also a nod to the business she owns — Kare Packaging, Inc.

Her husband got a more creative plate — DO DU — on his truck to encourage people to join Ducks Unlimited.