Who We Are - The BottomLands Waterfowl Conservation

Born & raised in St. Louis Missouri, Christian was always surrounded by the outdoors. He has spent most all of his years scouting land, hunting, fishing, guiding, educating others,

riding horses, and out on the water.

 With a dying passion for duck hunting, Christian grew to have an even more impressive passion for waterfowl conservation. 

Christian went on to create 

The BottomLands WC in his later years of higher education, when he realized waterfowl populations were dropping fast; Knowing that if something was not done to restore the Mississippi Flyway, the world of waterfowl would never be the same.

"You must never forget to give back to the people, places, or things, that once gave you so much joy and interest in this world"

- Christian Maldonado

When James and Christian first met, they were working at the same Bass Pro Shops location in Tallahassee FL. The two became close friends, and would end up spending most of their fall and winters hunting together. 

When the creation of building a waterfowl conservation organization rose to fruition, James played the important role of being a strong partner and passionate member of this organization. 

"I knew this was going to one day be something special the moment Christian brought up the idea at work"

- James Abel

Payton has been an incredible asset to The BottomLands WC. Originally starting out with little conservation knowledge Payton was brought on to help with animal habilitation. 

Her veterinary  background allowed her to help suffering ducks in ways we originally could not do ourselves. 

Now Payton has almost more knowledge than many of the team members here at The BottomLands WC. She has a gigantic heart and has kept the social environment at The BottomLands WC warm and happy. 

"Like a duck finding joy in a rippling water, happiness returns when we nuture the wild & find joy in the simple moments"

- Payton Kuehn

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When you think about the saying, "when I tell you to jump, you say "how high?" ", Asher has always been the man who asks,"how high?" and actually follows through with the task he has been given. 

Growing up in St. Louis together, Asher became very close with our CEO, Christian. The two set out on many adventures, hunting, fishing, and exploring new land. Asher went on to pursue work as a ranch hand on a cattle farm. There he learned to ride, and learned the depths of agriculture from some of the greatest farmers in Missouri.

Now Asher is part of the BottomLands WC team as a Land & Wildlife analyst. Surveying waterfowl populations and land along the Mississippi.