Quebec/ eastern region ( Atlantic )
Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland and Labrador
volume 28, number 4, 2007
Îles de Varennes site of nesting cover study
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As part of the redevelopment of the nesting cover on the Îles de Varennes (Varennes Islands), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), in co-operation with the Université du Québec à Montréal and the Canadian Wildlife Service, undertook a nest inventory to determine the nest density, the successful hatching rate and the particular makeup of nesting ducks on the Îles de Varennes. The purpose of this exercise is to guide future work for the improvement of the nesting cover in the archipelago using a scientific approach. Using a similar study undertaken in the 1990s as a base, we are now able to compare the evolution of productivity on these islands. In the spring of 2007, a seven-member team inventoried a 40hectare nesting cover area. The technique they used consisted of beating the bushes with a bamboo pole to identify the females in flight, find the nests and collect all the necessary information. The results of this inventory indicated that the quality of the nesting cover
on the Îles de Varennes could support nesting productivity for ducks, varying from 1.1 to 4.2 nests per hectare. When compared with the results obtained in the 1990s, the study indicated that the number of nests per hectare remained essentially the same, except for three parcels of land where decreases of up to 61 per cent were observed. Based on this information, the measures the partners will take to manage and maintain the nesting cover will focus solely upon these three parcels of land. Consequently, we have planned selective and guided cutting aimed at rejuvenating the grass cover, as well as establishing shrubs that will add diversity to the types of nesting habitats. The work is expected to begin this fall. Let’s hope the ducks appreciate our efforts! S
Atlantic DUC education program enjoys busy summer
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Two students got to share their love of the outdoors with children taking part in Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC’s) educational programs this spring and summer. Kristina Klingenberg from Sussex and Sarah Green from Fredericton began working with DUC at the end of April. They delivered the field trip portion of Project Webfoot at marshes around New Brunswick in May and June. During the field trips they did three main activities with the children. First, they led birdwatching with binoculars and pointed out many different birds including Canada geese, mallards, red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows and green-winged teal. They also taught different bird calls to the students. They also took the students “critter dipping” – they gave each child an aquarium net to dip in the marsh and put what they found into a white bin. The students could then see the variety of invertebrates they collected. “It shows that even the little things you can’t see are important,” says Klingenberg. The third activity was the wetland values game. It’s a relay race where the students are divided into teams. Each team has 10 items that correspond with 10 values of the wetland; for example, a pillow represents resting places for waterfowl, a cereal box represents food for waterfowl and other wildlife, and a filter represents water filtration. “I yell out a value and they have to get the item and put it in the bin,” Green says. “It’s pretty fun and they learn a lot. It makes it easy for them to think of the items and remember why wetlands are important. We save that for last – it drives everything home. It’s a great way to connect it back to the web of life and how everything is important.” Since the Project Webfoot classes were completed the pair has been delivering the programs at the centre in Fredericton. They also attended the volunteer conference in Charlottetown to deliver the programs for the young, and young at heart, people there. Sarah Green (l) and Kristina Klingenberg (r) lead the wetland values relay race at the Atlantic Volunteer Conference.
“It’s been a huge learning experience and lots of fun too,” Green says. “We always bring in what DUC does to talk about conservation groups and what they do. The students get a greater understanding of why they are important. I really want to emphasize that they can do something about it.” The two are returning to university in the fall. Green is completing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and then going into Elementary Education while Klingenberg is returning to the Elementary Education program. They both enjoyed their summer at DUC and are taking some of the enthusiasm the children had for their programs with them. “When you see them leaving,” Klingenberg says, “they are so excited about everything they saw, they’re saying how awesome it is and how they love being outside. It’s nice to hear them recognize how nice it is to be outside.” Green adds: “Teachers would warn us about the class clowns but when you give them the space to learn outside and it’s hands-on learning, they transform. It’s amazing how when you get them out in the right environment they learn.” The education program also got a new co-ordinator in the summer. Jodie Hambrook took the helm as education specialist in August. Hambrook grew up in Annapolis Royal, N.S. She received a BSc
from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science. Following that she went to Holland College in Summerside, P.E.I., and received a diploma in Renewable Resource Management Technology. She has had a varied professional life, starting work as the watershed restoration co-ordinator at the Bluenose Atlantic Coastal Action Foundation in Mahone Bay, N.S. She then moved to Toronto and worked as the education programs manager for the Ontario Forestry Association. “I delivered five youth education programs across the province including Focus on Forest and the Envirothon program,” she says. “After three years my husband and I had the opportunity to move back to the East Coast and we have lived in Moncton for the last year and a half.” Before coming to DUC, she was working as the executive director for the Sentinelles Petitcodiac Riverkeeper in Moncton. Hambrook is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping, travelling and photography. She and her husband still live in Moncton and have two small dogs, Yoshi, a Yorkie mix, and Botsford, a poodle mix. “I found him on Botsford Street in Moncton last fall,” she says of the latter pet. “He was a stray and I never found his owner.” Hambrook says she looks forward to her new role with DUC. S
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 )
Wetlands play pivotal role in battle with algae
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Summer is about being outside: getting out the barbecue, canoeing on the lake, forgetting the long winter months. To escape the heat we head to (or dream of heading to) the nearest beach to at least dabble our feet in the cool water. However, over the past few summers in Quebec, the problem of green-blue algae in lakes and rivers has become increasingly widespread, making us think twice about a trip to the lake for a cooling dip. As a result of the excess of green-blue algae in the water, beaches have been closed and some communities have even been advised not to drink their water. This is having a negative impact not only on the local environment but also on the local economy. What is the cause of this problem and how can wetlands be considered as part of the solution? Attack of the algae! Green-blue algae, or cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in rivers and lakes. What we are seeing in Quebec is a proliferation of these organisms, resulting in algae blooms that produce toxins and therefore represent a danger to human and animal health. Several provincial government websites have more information concerning this phenomenon, including the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (www.msss.gouv.qc.ca). At the time of writing, 126 rivers and lakes were affected, with the Laurentides region seeing the highest number of cases. A number of theories have been given to explain the sudden increase in green-blue algae, with blame being laid on farmers, lakeshore residents and even the humble beaver! One thing is certain: in some regions we have developed the landscape to such a point that fewer natural habitats, such as wetlands and woodlands, remain. In DUC Quebec’s series of Regional Wetland Conservation Plans we calculated that some regions are very poor in wetlands, having lost up to 90 per cent, and are very close to – or even beyond – the minimum number of wetlands needed to ensure a healthy environment.
Wetlands can also play an important role by storing water upstream of the lakes and rivers. Like a sponge, the wetland has a great storage capacity and can reduce problems of flooding and erosion downstream. However, in some areas we have removed these natural sponges and consequently stormwater loaded with pollutants from our roads, our gardens and our fields flows directly into the lake or river. Some solutions proposed to combat the algae in Quebec have been to replant trees and bushes along lakeshores and riverbanks. DUC would add the need to restore wetlands in these areas as well. Not only do we need to restore vegetation in areas where development has already happened, we also must encourage people to conserve wetlands and woodlands in areas that have not yet been touched. Furthermore, we not only need to be focusing our efforts around the lakeshore or riverbank but also should conserve and restore wetlands in general. This requires looking at the bigger picture and including wetland conservation when developing and planning land use. For example, DUC Quebec’s wetland maps like that of the Quebec Metropolitan Community, including Quebec City, can help us to see this bigger picture. With these types of planning and information tools, DUC Quebec wishes to encourage people to understand that wetland conservation and restoration is part of the solution to the problem of toxic algae. S References available on our website: Olewiler, N. (2004). The Value of Natural Capital in Settled Areas of Canada. Published by Ducks Unlimited Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada. 36 pp. Gabor, S. et al. (2004). Natural Values. The importance of wetlands and upland conservation practices in watershed management: function and values for water quality and quantity. Ducks Unlimited Canada. 56 pp.
Wetlands as a solution The continued loss and degradation of our natural landscape is resulting in the loss of the beneficial services provided by this “natural capital.” When wetlands are lost or degraded, so are the ecological goods and services that they provide to society (Olewiler, 2004). For example, wetlands can be effective filters, capable of retaining harmful sediments and contaminants from reaching lakes and rivers. Studies show that some wetlands can retain up to 94 per cent of phosphorus (Gabor et al., 2004). Therefore, wetlands can play an important role in reducing the inflow of contaminants like phosphorus into the lake in the first place.
Example of green-blue algue at the Choinière Reserve, Quebec.
DUC honors long-time service award Barry Burke was commemorated for his 25 years of service at the Atlantic Volunteer Conference. He received a watch and another diamond for his pin. Pictured above are Barry, Mac Dunfield and Perry McCormick.
ADL pledge puts dairy farm wetland projects on P.E.I.
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A $10,000 pledge last year by Amalgamated Dairies Ltd. (ADL) to Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC’s) agriculture program on Prince Edward Island enabled DUC to complete two dairy farm projects during the 2006 field season. The projects were the Garnett Schellan Farm Pond and the Joe Dorgan Farm Pond. In addition to the wetland, each landowner has agreed to protect adjacent buffer areas. These wetland projects and upland buffers have been secured with multi-year conservation agreements between DUC and the landowners. “ADL’s generous contribution has assisted Ducks Unlimited Canada in delivering wetland projects within the agricultural landscape on P.E.I.,” says Wade Lewis, conservation program specialist. “These projects will increase the biodiversity within the landscape while improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife and waterfowl.” The program ADL is supporting helps construct or restore wetlands on landscapes that receive run-off from agricultural sources. ADL’s pledge was used to conduct work on areas affected by milk house waste water or manure run-off from dairy operations within P.E.I. Run-off from these sources can carry contaminants that
impact the quality of surface and groundwater resources. “ADL is pleased to be able to work closely with Ducks Unlimited Canada to offer this incentive program that benefits both the dairy agricultural community and the P.E.I. environment,” says Nelson MacKinnon, president of ADL. “Working with an experienced and well known conservation group such as Ducks Unlimited Canada allows the program to use its expertise in wildlife habitat restoration in a way that will see the maximum benefits of the program realized by both the farmer and the general public.” Wetlands act as water filters that help to remove, break down and store excess nutrients. They are teeming with life and help to improve the quality of water that flows through them. In addition to improving water quality, these areas will provide important habitat for many wildlife species, such as black ducks, great blue herons, songbirds, muskrats, amphibians and more. DUC works to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and their associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. 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: Kelly MacDonald Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Lynette Mader Marci Dube Western Region
Flyway production staff Director of Communications and Marketing: Madeleine Arbez Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: June Finnson Art Director: Tye Gregg Graphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe © Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2007 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 (800) 565-1650 ext.15 Fundraising Manager, Québec Jocelyn Landry (877) 551-5757 Fundraising Manager, New Brunswick Barry Burke (888) 920-3330 Fundraising Québec (West) Pascal Desmedt
(877) 547-9494
Newfoundland and Labrador Kelly Sandoval (877) 243-8257 Greenwing Liaisons Kim Votour, Fredericton
(888) 920-3330 ext. 3
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