Quebec/ eastern region ( Atlantic )
Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland and Labrador
volume 29, number 4, 2008
Land use solutions could protect fragile areas in Quebec
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The wetland, aquatic and riparian environments of the boreal forest form ecosystems of immense wealth that many species of ducks depend on. On public lands, in spite of their crucial biological importance, these environments are used by humans for a variety of purposes including hydroelectricity, vacationing and ecotourism. In order to maintain their biodiversity, these environments are often excluded from forestry operations and are protected from the timber harvest. However, if these efforts are not to be in vain, we must ensure that other groups who have access to these environments do not convert them into vacation resorts or use them for other potentially conflicting activities. This is why solutions must be found to the problem of wetland and riparian environment management. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), in co-operation with the Charlevoix/Bas-Saguenay Association des gestionnaires de territoires fauniques or AGTF (an association of wildlife territory managers), the Boreal Forest Initiative,
AbitibiBowater and other partners, addressed this issue by developing a micro-zoning approach. This approach recognizes three land use categories: protected ecosystems, intensive human-use areas and areas under ecosystemic multi-resource management. Funding was provided by Quebec’s Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife through the Regional County Municipality of Charlevoix. DUC has already undertaken the early stages of this project on a portion of the AGTF territory, which includes Lake Moreau and the des Martres hunting and fishing areas. The DUC team classified and mapped wetlands, aquatic and riparian environments according to a classification system it recently developed based on information from forestry maps. The DUC team identified the ecological issues relating to the management of these environments and analyzed the extent of ecological disturbance caused by human activity and infrastructure, such as roads and camps. Implementing this project will require consultation to set goals, completing the micro-zoning and then putting the plans into effect. This undertaking is a superb, leading-edge effort in the field of forest land ecosystem management. S
Wetlands to mitigate Discover the virtual nitrate risk
wonder of wetlands
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You can now visit the Greenwing Legacy Interpretive Centre from home! Take a virtual trip by visiting the new website at www. wetlandcentre.com and you can see photos of the centre and some of the special events that take place there. “The site has been designed to make it easy for those who still have dial-up,” says Kelly MacDonald, marketing and communications co-ordinator for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in the Atlantic provinces. “There are lots of photos in galleries and information is easy to find with the menu bar at the top of the page.” You can find out what has been happening in the news section. One of the summer employees, Alison White, has been writing a blog from the centre to report on special events, interesting wildlife sightings and other fun news. You can also find out what’s coming up by looking under the activities section. Everything from day camps to moonlight walks in the park to special events is Students on a field trip at the Greenwing Legacy posted here. Interpretive Centre look for critters. Photos and information about some of the fun things you can buy in the gift shop can also be found. All of the profit from the shop goes back into wetland education at the centre. There is no online store, however – you need to come to the centre to get these great deals! “You can buy an assortment of wetland and nature-based items like growing pets (toys that are placed in water and grow), DUC merchandise, educational games, jewelry and much, much more,” MacDonald says. “Most items are $20 or less with the majority priced under $10.” Explore the website, then go explore the centre and send photos of your visit for the chance to have it posted on the site and get a prize! S
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) staff based in P.E.I. are very pleased with the strong endorsement provided by the P.E.I. Commission on Nitrates in Groundwater in recognizing the importance of wetlands in mitigating the risk that nitrates pose to the aquatic environment. “DUC has been promoting the broad value of wetlands to society and the commission’s recommendations regarding restoring and maintaining wetlands is very important,” says Jana Cheverie, a member of the DUC conservation staff based in Charlottetown. The commission noted, as background information, that wetlands serve as effective sinks for nutrients that otherwise enter water bodies as run-off and groundwater flow. Wetlands have been shown to be effective sinks, trapping up to 80 per cent of nitrates from water entering the catchment area as run-off. Specific to wetlands, the commission has recommended that the Province and non-government organizations develop funding initiatives to restore, protect, acquire and expand wetland areas in the province; that an information and outreach program about natural wetlands – including training and research initiatives – be developed for landowners; and thirdly, that the provincial government take a leadership role to help form partnerships with stakeholders designed to further the goal of restoring, protecting, acquiring and expanding key areas to ensure effective management of wetlands in the province. “Wetlands are more beneficial to Canadians, both environmentally and economically, if they are left intact rather than drained or destroyed,” says Shane Gabor, research biologist with DUC based in Manitoba and a presenter to the nitrate commission last fall. Gabor has been involved with research initiatives across Canada that focus on the important role that wetlands provide to improve water quality. This report serves to strengthen DUC’s conservation message and highlights the importance of wetlands to improving water quality. “We look forward to discussions with the P.E.I. government and our partners from the agriculture industry to implement the commission’s recommendations,” says Cheverie. 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 )
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Supports Quebec-area field trips
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On June 12 and 19, nearly 120 students from the Saint-Roch and Coeur-Vaillant primary schools in the Quebec City region were introduced to wetland ecology through field trips that are part of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) Sur la piste du marais (Along the Marsh Trail) program. With financial support from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, the third and fourth grade students enjoyed an original and enlightening end-ofschool-year outing. DUC also called upon La Maison Léon-Provancher, an environmental education organization, and its team of naturalists to help the young people discover the incredible biodiversity of wetlands and the many benefits which these environments have to offer. The first field trip took place on the Léon-Provancher Marsh located about 20 km west of Quebec City. Collecting insects and birdwatching were among the activities offered to the École SaintRoch students. Keen on new discoveries, the young explorers quickly spotted dragonflies, frogs and ducks in the marsh area. Because of persistent rain, the students from École Coeur-Vaillant
instead visited La Maison Léon-Provancher Interpretive Centre, where naturalists have recreated a lively marsh environment. The students were given instruction in bird and insect identification and were able to observe and touch many animals, including a snake and a salamander. We hope that these field trips will mark the beginning of a long partnership between DUC, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and La Maison Léon-Provancher, for we must admit that the adults enjoyed the experience as much as the students did! S
Nature Reserve celebrates agreement and improvements
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Daly Point Nature Reserve in Bathurst, N.B., celebrated the signing of a 30-year Stewardship Agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the opening of the new Cattail Bridge on July 18. The Daly Point Nature Reserve began in 1989 as a stewardship project between Brunswick Mining and Smelting (BMS) and the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy. Eventually, the reserve was given to the City of Bathurst by BMS. In 2004, interested residents approached the City to rejuvenate the reserve. The City supported the idea and established a commission for the Daly Point Nature Reserve. There is also a volunteer advisory board in place. Last year the wetland stewardship agreement was signed with DUC. “The success of this partnership has been led by the town and its volunteers,” says Deanne Meadus, DUC’s Atlantic manager of conservation programs. “BMS donated this land to the City and land at Carron Point, also in Bathurst, to DUC. These are excellent examples of community and corporate partnerships that help DUC reach its long-term wetland conservation goals.” The park consists of six kilometres of trails running through more than 100 acres of salt marsh, old fields and mixed forest. From these trails visitors can view hundreds of species of flowers, plants and animals. Interpretative signs are found on the trails to give visitors an opportunity to identify, and stop to admire, the nature around them.
The new observation tower, “Mary’s Mecca,” and compost toilets were completed in the past three years. One of the biggest projects was the completion of the Cattail Bridge this past spring. Special attractions include the thousands of Canada geese that arrive on their migratory voyage in the fall, and the endangered Maritime ringlet butterfly, found only in a few salt marshes in the world. The reserve is located along the Bathurst Basin and admission is free. S People gather on the Cattail Bridge at the Daly Point Nature Reserve during the official opening of the bridge and celebration of the Stewardship Agreement.
Project Webfoot in St. John’s delivers
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Quidi Vidi Rennie’s River Development Foundation (QVRRDF) have formed a partnership to offer students in St. John’s the opportunity to participate in Project Webfoot field trips. DUC’s award-winning education program gives students the chance to learn about wetlands both in the classroom and on field trips. Nearly 300 St. John’s students took part in Project Webfoot field trips last year at the Fluvarium, the QVRRDF’s public centre for environmental education. This partnership gives DUC’s education program a larger presence in Newfoundland and Labrador and means more students will benefit from a solid wetland education. “The Fluvarium offers a great handson learning experience for our Project Webfoot participants and DUC looks forward to continuing and building our partnership in the future,” says Jodie Hambrook, DUC’s Atlantic education specialist. St. John’s students are benefiting from the contribution from the Blue Water Project Leadership Grant from the RBC Financial Group for 2008-09. S Students examine their tub of "critters" on a Project Webfoot field trip at the Fluvarium in St. John's.
An ecological gift at La Sarre
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A land donation project in the community of La Sarre in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region is the result of one family’s wish to ensure the protection of property it had owned for 50 years. The beautiful 10-hectare site is now preserved in perpetuity thanks to an ecological gift to Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Located along Route 111, the property includes an alder grove and a large marsh with a stream flowing off the La Sarre River. The site offers great potential for waterfowl, including black ducks, bluewinged teals, mallards and northern shovelers. The protection of this site through a financial partnership agreement with the Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife allows for the consolidation of several parcels of land belonging to the Town of La Sarre which have remained in a natural state. We extend special thanks once again to the Bordeleau family for having chosen DUC to help them ensure the preservation of a magnificent wetland environment. 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 Western Region Prairie-Western Boreal: Marci Dube Pacific: Wendy Fister
Flyway production staff Director of Communications and Marketing: Madeleine Arbez Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: Deb Menard Art Director: Tye Gregg Graphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe © Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2008 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 Manager, Nova Scotia James Young (888) 557-5554 Newfoundland and Labrador Kelly Sandoval (877) 243-8257 Fundraising Québec (West) Pascal Desmedt
(877) 547-9494
Greenwing Liaisons Kim Votour
(888) 920-3330 ext. 3
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