Above right: Shirley Donnelly (left) and Reta Daniels, sisters of Gertrude McKee, and DUC Ontario provincial director Greg Weeks unveil a cairn in McKee’s honour at Ontario’s Luther Marsh.
Wood Duck Wetland dedicated to special conservationist
Gertrude McKee. The bronze Gertrude (McCreight) McKee plaque erected at Luther Marsh was born on April 5, 1937, the eastern Region reads “In memory of Gertrude in seventh child in a large family of o n ta r i o honour of her passion and devotion 11 kids. Raised on the family farm for the protection of wetlands and about 100 kilometres east of Sault wildlife…we will think of you, as we look Ste. Marie, Ont., it was there that McKee first out over this marsh preserved in perpetuity.” nurtured her passion for wildlife. “Contributions like those generously proMcKee’s contributions came to Ducks vided by the late Mrs. Gertrude McKee are Unlimited Canada (DUC) in 2008 as a result critical to advancing wetland conservation in of the final wishes outlined in her last will and Ontario,” says Greg Weeks, provincial director testament. DUC humbly directed these contriand volunteer with DUC in Ontario. “It is this butions to wetland conservation in southern kind of philanthropy that allows Ducks UnlimOntario. ited Canada to pool resources to build and The Wood Duck Wetland at Luther Marsh is maintain crucial habitats such as these located a prime example of these efforts. Selected for here at Luther Marsh.” its solitude and beauty, it is a lasting tribute to
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Wildlife Habitat Canada President Len Ugarenko (middle) accepts the first ever Wetland Champion Award presented in Ontario from Jim Brennan (left), DUC manager of provincial operations, and Mark Gloutney PhD., DUC Eastern Region director of regional operations. “Wildlife Habitat Canada is honoured to receive this award from Ducks Unlimited Canada,” said Ugarenko. “They were there when Wildlife Habitat Canada was formed in 1985 and for the past 27 years DUC has been one of our most valued partners. We look forward to continuing this partnership long into the future.”
Wildlife Habitat Canada honoured at Ontario’s premier wetland restoration site Since its inception in 1985, Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) has generously donated more than $2 million to Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Of that $2 million, an astounding $835,000 was directed towards DUC wetland conservation projects in Ontario. A founding member of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and a key national player in habitat conservation matters, WHC addresses waterfowl habitat conservation issues with funding commitments in every province. The vast majority of these dollars go towards supporting wetland conservation. With funds generated through
“DUC is very excited to continue our partnership with WHC, to help us achieve our habitat goals.”
provincial operations. “DUC is proud to participate in these collaborative efforts that not only advance our wetland and waterfowl conservation work on the landscape, but also contribute to a healthy environment for the citizens of Ontario, now and into the future.” Contributions from WHC are directed to numerous DUC programs across the province including land purchase and conservation easements, landowner outreach and the wetland restoration program. These programs conserve, restore and enhance waterfowl habitat and provide environmental and economic benefits to the community. “Some of the most vital support of conservation comes from local landowners and conservation partners,” says Mark Gloutney PhD., DUC director of regional operations for Eastern Canada. “DUC is very excited to continue our partnership with WHC, to help us achieve our habitat goals”.
eastern Region
– Mark Gloutney PhD. Director of regional operations, Ducks Unlimited Canada
the sale of the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, WHC invests in DUC and remains an important partner in conservation. DUC volunteers, supporters and conservation partners gathered at Atocas Bay to honour the unique collaboration between DUC and WHC, and to celebrate wetland conservation partnerships in Ontario. Less than one hour from downtown Ottawa, Atocas Bay contains almost 2,000 acres of rolling uplands, wetlands and small lakes. “In DUC’s more-than-70 years of conserving critical wetland habitat, we have learned partnerships are essential to bringing new solutions to today’s environmental challenges,” says Jim Brennan, DUC manager of
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