Quebec/ eastern region ( Atlantic )
Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland and Labrador
volume 32, number 3, 2011
DUC to launch new educational field trip site in Corner Brook
I
“Involve me, and I will understand,” says an ancient Chinese proverb. And when it comes to educating young people about wetlands, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) aims to do just that. DUC announces the development of a new field trip site in Corner Brook, Nfld., at Corner Brook Marsh. Field trips are a vital component of DUC’s Project Webfoot school-based wetland education program. Project Webfoot is DUC’s education program for students in Grade 4. This program is underwritten by sponsors and aims to teach young people about the importance of wetland conservation. Classes enrolled in the program will receive an in-class learning session and/or a field trip to a local wetland where they can learn about wetlands in a hands-on manner. Project Webfoot also provides wetland education resources to educators. “Being able to provide field trips to students in western Newfoundland is going to make a major difference in their understanding of wetlands,” says Danielle Fequet, DUC’s conservation programs specialist for Newfoundland
and Labrador. “It is fantastic to learn about wetlands in class and to obtain that theoretical knowledge. But when we bring the students out to the wetlands, something extra just clicks, and they come away with a real understanding and appreciation of wetlands – one that will hopefully carry through for the rest of their lives.” This new site will be launched during Canadian Environment Week (June 5 to11), with field trips being provided to 20 Grade 4 classes in western Newfoundland. The only other Project Webfoot field trip location in Newfoundland is in St. John’s, at the Suncor Energy Fluvarium. DUC thanks its sponsors: ExxonMobil for field trip startup and sponsorship for nine classes to attend the field trip, ACAP Humber Arm for sponsorship for 10 classes to attend, and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper for allowing the use of Corner Brook Marsh and for providing the lumber to build a dipping platform structure. S
DUC receives major gift support Enbridge Gas New Brunswick Enbridge Gas New Brunswick is a new partner with DUC for 2011. They became a platinum sponsor for Project Webfoot in Fredericton, NB. This recognition award was presented at the 30th Annual Fredericton DUC Dinner, with other EGNB representatives attending the dinner event and donating a golf package to the dinner event. Dave Charleson says, “We’re very proud to partner with DUC in New Brunswick to support wetlands education for young students.”
Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL) For the past five years, Amalgamated Dairies Limited, a Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Life Sponsor, has supported DUC’s projects consisting of engineered nutrient management ponds to help farmers deal with milk-house wash and manure waste. The ponds amounted to 5.5 acres of wetlands that were either constructed or restored and 11 acres of upland buffer to protect the wetlands. These projects are protected under long-term conservation agreements with the landowners. “We’re proud to support DUC’s conservation efforts in P.E.I.,” says Jim Bradley, the CEO and general manager of ADL. “P.E.I.’s farmers are very conscious stewards of our environment and we’re pleased that DUC is helping them become even more ecologically sustainable.” Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL) located in Summerside, P.E.I. manufactures and distributes a wide variety of milk, butter, cheese, evaporated milk, ice cream and many other quality dairy products for sale in domestic and export markets. S
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick general manager Dave Charleson accepts a platinum sponsor plaque and recognition pin from Ducks Unlimited Canada’s development manager, Kimberly E. Arseneau, in recognition of Enbridge Gas New Brunswick’s support for the Ducks Unlimited Canada Grade 4 Project Webfoot program. Frogbox Starting up in Vancouver in 2008, and recent winner of the Best Green Business at the Small Business BC Successful You awards, Frogbox rents eco-friendly, reusable moving boxes and other moving supplies, aiming to cut down on cardboard waste. Featured on CBC’s “Dragon’s Den”, their Halifax location on Robie Street is now up and running. For more information, visit frogbox.com/halifax.
David Doherty, advertising and marketing manager for Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL), accepts a life sponsor plaque from Ducks Unlimited Canada’s development manager, Kimberly E. Arseneau.
Jon Gour, owner of Frogbox Halifax, displays DUC promotional material at the Spring Ideal Home Show in Halifax. Frogbox has entered into a partnership with DUC, donating one per cent of its sales towards DUC’s wetland conservation efforts in Nova Scotia.
e a s t e r n r e g i o n ( q u e b e c / at l a n t i c )
Quebec’s Plan Nord has begun!
T
The Quebec government unveiled their plan for the Boreal area of the province. “Plan Nord” is an important document for waterfowl as it is estimated three-quarters of the population nests in the territory affected by the plan. “We salute the approach that the government has taken on conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Plan Nord has moved from being an idea to a game plan and we are happy to be involved,” says Bernard Filion, Quebec director for DUC. “We will remain vigilant in order to ensure that the principles announced for the local and regional communities are upheld and respected.” Plan Nord’s deployment is of great importance to the DUC mission because 75 per cent of Quebec’s waterfowl reproduces in the north before migrating southwards. It is therefore necessary to implement measures that will ensure sustainability for the reproduction of waterfowl. The development of the plan began several years ago with input from a number of government ministries, and dozens of organizations involved in conservation in the northern communities 65 researcher groups. The goal was to develop conservation and management tools for the territory. The group wants to guarantee that 50 per cent of the territory covered by Plan Nord will be dedicated to conservation or non-industrial use. At the same time they encourage interaction between the parties involved in Plan Nord and researchers to ensure that their scientific knowledge is used to develop an approach that supports sustainable development as well as the maintenance of wetlands and waterfowl in northern Quebec. “Northern Quebec has an impressive number of wetlands, which need to be taken into account in the development of the territory,”
says Filion. “We hope that Plan Nord will allow for this type of framework and will become a reference point for the rest of the world in terms of sustainable development.” DUC will be closely following the deployment of Plan Nord’s various measures to make sure that the plan is respected. This includes: 1. Commitment to the territorial development of the Plan Nord and ensuring that it respects the environment and biodiversity, and that it allows for the collective enrichment of social and economic characteristics of the region. 2. Commitment to the Plan Nord’s dedication of 50 per cent of the territory for non-industrial uses, particularly for the maintenance of biodiversity and the ecological services provided by these ecosystems. 3. Maintaining wetlands and waterfowl populations: a. High-profile species subject to benchmarking such as the Canada goose, common eider and the American black duck. b. Lesser-known species living in areas affected by Plan Nord and whose global populations may be affected by the development of the territory, especially species such as the red-breasted merganser: 39 per cent of the 1,008,000 pairs remaining on the planet nest in areas affected by the Plan Nord. c. Rare and at-risk species that need special protection such as the eastern North American population of Barrow’s goldeneye: the remaining few thousand pairs nest in areas affected by Plan Nord. For more information about the Plan Nord, go to: plannord.gouv.qc.ca.
TD Bank supports school-based wetland education
D
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) staff recently paid some visits to some Atlantic Canadian TD bank branches, to celebrate their partnership. In recognition of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation’s sponsorship of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Project Webfoot program in the Atlantic Provinces, and in support of the TD FEF campaign and Earth Day celebration, DUC staff visited seven TD branch locations across Atlantic Canada. During each visit, TD customers and staff had the opportunity to learn about DUC’s Project Webfoot Wetland Education program and the community support that TD FEF provides. “Project Webfoot is such an important part of what we do,” says Erin Heeney, interpretive and education specialist for DUC. “Part of our commitment to fiscal responsibility is that we only provide Project Webfoot to as many classes as we have sponsorships. This is why we’re so appreciative of the support that we receive from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and from other sponsors, whether corporate or individual.”
The TD FEF is a national organization, formed by TD Bank Financial Group, with a grassroots focus that funds local projects dedicated to preserving the environment. They work with Canadians who are committed to protecting the environment in their own community and across the country. Since the year 2000, TD FEF has donated over $145,000 towards Project Webfoot in Atlantic Canada. Project Webfoot is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s school-based wetland education program. Its goal with underwriting by sponsors is to teach today’s students – who are tomorrow’s decision makers and conservation leaders – about the tremendous value of wetland habitats. Students enrolled in Project Webfoot become honorary Greenwings and may receive one or a combination of in-class learning resources, in-school presentations and/or a field trip to a local wetland led by a trained interpreter. Under Project Webfoot, DUC also provides resources and professional development opportunities to teachers, including on-line programming. S
A well-earned retirement for Jacques Dextraze
A
A pioneer of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Quebec is retiring. Jacques Dextraze joined the organization in 1976, the year DUC opened its first offices in the province. The civil engineering technician was instrumental in many of the first projects developing the know-how for the construction of water level control structures in wetlands. Dextraze held various positions during his tenure including regional director for several years. According to his co-workers, his passion for his work never dwindled. He has always performed his tasks with skill and verve from the on-site supervision to repairs, project maintenance and inspection, engineering re-cons, topographical surveys and calls for tender management. He is known for having incredible endurance in the field, and keeps in shape by eating healthy, and maintaining an arduous training schedule. Dextraze also has a phenomenal memory about the history of our programs and his ability to explain the details of the DUC projects is a valuable resource for newcomers and experts alike. When he speaks about the managed projects, he is capable of explaining the CI restoration work to both experts and the average person. He has devoted a great deal of time and effort in DUC projects located in the Lac Saint- Pierre, Lac Saint-François and the Ottawa River regions. Dextraze’s presence has left an indelible mark on all the DUC projects in Quebec. A fan of waterfowl hunting, he developed his love of the sport from his father, who taught him to hunt at a young age. Dextraze’s availability and his professionalism, flexibility and the respect he shows for everyone is as appreciated by his colleagues and partners as it is by all the stakeholders working for Ducks across the province. S
quebec/ eastern Region ( atlantic )
The Flyway newsletter is published by Ducks Unlimited Canada Oak Hammock Marsh Conservation Centre P.O. Box 1160, Stonewall, Manitoba R0C 2Z0 tel (204)467-3000 fax (204)467-9028 toll-free 1(800)665-DUCK Please direct your inquiries to the following: Eastern Region Atlantic: Krista Elliott Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Joanne Barbazza Western Region British Columbia: Wendy Thatcher Flyway production staff Communications and Marketing Director: Sandy Gousseau Assistant: Debbie Menard Manager Creative Services: Lindsay Pikta-Marie Graphic Designers: Christa Edwards, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe © Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2011 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Manager of Provincial Operations, Atlantic Tom Duffy (866) 903-8257 ext.234 Manager of Provincial Operations, Québec Bernard Filion 1 (800) 565-1650 ext.15 Fundraising Québec Jocelyn Landry
1 (877) 551-5757
New Brunswick Duska Frink
(888) 920-3330
Nova Scotia James Young
(888) 557-5554
Newfoundland and Labrador Paul Wood (709) 489-8147
publication agreement #40064849