at l a n t i c
Above: Rusty Bittermann and Margaret MacCallum, in front of one of three restored wetlands on their P.E.I. farm.
Twelve months of landowners If you happen to be visiting your local Coast Tire outlet, keep an eye out for some very happy faces! Coast Tire is partnering with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Atlantic Canada for its 2013 calendar. The calendar is available at all Coast Tire outlets across Atlantic Canada and features DUC landowners in the region. This calendar shows the incredible diversity among DUC landowners in Atlantic Canada. There are young families, retirees, farmers, professors and medical professionals. And the one thing they all have in common is they appreciate the beauty, diversity and environmental benefits of wetlands, and are happy to partner with DUC to conserve and manage their wetlands for many years to come. “We’ve had wonderful support and assistance from Ducks Unlimited,” says Rusty Bittermann, a professor at Saint Thomas University who, with his wife Margaret MacCullum, a professor at the University of New Brunswick, owns a farm on Prince Edward Island. Their plan is to develop a sustainable, mixed-livestock farm while enhancing the wildlife habitat in the area. To date, DUC has restored two wetlands on their property. For information about the calendar, contact the DUC Amherst office at (902) 667-8726 or Coast Tire at (506) 674-9620.
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Conservator | fall 2012
left: ©DUC/Tye Gregg
eastern Region
Roger Giddings of Charlottetown, P.E.I., has always admired Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Until this past summer, his involvement with DUC has been on a minor scale organizing smaller events like skeet shoots. That was until a friend on a DUC dinner committee approached him about Atlantic Canada’s new Land Monitoring Program. The Land Monitoring program was created to address the need to keep an eye on the over 37,000 acres of DUC-owned property across the Maritimes. Volunteers sign up and are assigned properties to monitor for disturbances. They look for things like garbage being dumped, vegetation being destroyed or other harmful activity on the land. At certain times of the year, people also can do biological monitoring, such as waterfowl surveys, look for the presence of invasive species or record wildlife sightings. Giddings, a power line technician with Maritime Electric, was assigned five properties. “I was really surprised to find out that most of the wetlands DUC protects are actually owned by other people, and that DUC partners with them,” says Giddings. A few of these DUC-owned properties were hidden gems for Giddings. Prior to that day, he’d only seen one of them before and was fascinated to see a new side to DUC operations. “I enjoy hunting. There’s nothing better than getting out with some buddies, with a thermos full of hot coffee, shooting the breeze and telling each other crazy stories,” says Giddings. “You may get ducks, you may not, but you want to at least see ducks and know you’ve got a chance. And DUC makes sure there will always be lots of ducks in this region. It’s great to be involved in this new program, where I can do my part to make sure that the ducks have a healthy place to go.”
left: ©DUC/Krista Elliott
The marsh monitors of the Maritimes
eastern Region quebec
above: ©DUC
Innovative business helping protect St. Lawrence River ArcelorMittal Montreal aligned with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and other partners to manage the Saint-Louis Marsh as the first phase of the Lavallière Bay restoration project. ArcelorMittal Montreal’s $25,000 commitment is helping protect this important wetland, as well as critical ecosystems along the St. Lawrence River basin. Located near Lac Saint-Pierre, Lavallière Bay is an important migratory stopover and breeding area for waterfowl. Located in the heart of the Atlantic migratory flyway, this is one of the most important areas in wetland conservation along the St. Lawrence River and has been recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve since 2000. Today, the pressure on the wetlands and the degradation of habitats are cause for concern at this exceptional site. The Saint-Louis project in Lavallière Bay is restoring this important habitat for waterfowl and fish and raising awareness on the fragility of the area.
Water: sharing a vital resource ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading steel and mining company, with plants in over 60 countries spanning four continents. ArcelorMittal Montréal, the subsidiary company operating in Quebec, is one of the largest recyclers in the province. After iron and charcoal, water is the most important component in the fabrication of steel. ArcelorMittal Montreal uses the St. Lawrence seaway to fabricate its products and transport its merchandise to strategic locations in the Great Lakes basin. ArcelorMittal Montreal recognizes the importance of the St. Lawrence River basin as
a source of fresh water for millions of people. By participating in the conservation of this key area for waterfowl and restoring Lavallière Bay, ArcelorMittal Montreal is showing it understands the dangers related to the loss of freshwater resources and wetlands. “ArcelorMittal is proud to work with Ducks Unlimited Canada and its partners to protect the ecosystems, natural resources and wetlands of the St. Lawrence River basin like Lavallière Bay,” says Luc Chabot, environment director at ArcelorMittal Montreal. “These resources are essential to economic and social vitality, as they ensure quality of life for communities and provide a habitat for the wildlife that depend upon it for their survival,” By supporting DUC, ArcelorMittal Montreal is showing leadership in sustainable conservation projects, as well as social responsibility and environmental conscience in the communities it serves, while ensuring better management and sustainable practices.
Cooking waterfowl just got easier!
A great gift idea!
“This is the type of cookbook I love! More than just a collection of recipes, From the Marsh to the Table by Dr. Frank Baldwin is filled with clear instructions, fascinating stories and tasty tidbits of food lore. This book will become an essential handbook for hunters and any cook who, like me, loves cooking duck and other waterfowl.”
– Alex Svenne, Chef & Owner, Bistro 7 ¼, Winnipeg, MB
Get your copy today. Visit ducks.ca/store