eastern region (ontario)
volume 28, number 2, 2007
Nest boxes significantly increase waterfowl nest success rate
D
Did you know that Ducks Unlimited Canada has nearly 12,000 wood duck nest boxes throughout Ontario? All of these nest boxes must be maintained, which means that they need to be cleaned out over the fall or winter, checked for nesting success and replenished with wood shavings. The presence of light-coloured duck down, small eggshell fragments and wood shavings all mixed together can indicate that a hen has successfully hatched her eggs. Landowners, volunteers and private contractors help to maintain and monitor nest boxes. An important part of this job is to fill out a survey that is then sent in to the DUC office so staff can track the success of the nest box program. The Canadian Wildlife Service and DUC have recently embarked on a project to take these surveys (thousands and thousands) and use the information in them to build a database that will provide key information about Ontario nest boxes. Although the project has only just begun, some interesting results have been derived from a subset of 2,418 surveys. The data indicates a usage rate of: • 23 per cent by wood ducks • 18 per cent by hooded merganser • three per cent by goldeneye • 29 per cent by non-waterfowl Out of the 44 per cent usage by waterfowl, the nest success rate is 77 per cent! DUC biologist Owen Steele heads up conservation planning for Ontario and is leading DUC’s involvement in the study. Steele envisions being able to use the database information to determine nest success rates in specific geographic areas. “When this type of information is linked to project [and] wetland location information, it will be truly a powerful tool,” says Steele. Nest box structures are clearly an important component for the conservation of cavitynesting waterfowl. The structures provide an additional service by serving as homes for other types of wildlife too: yet another positive example of how DUC’s work, while focused on waterfowl, provides a host of benefits to other species of wildlife. It all adds up to a healthier landscape in Ontario.
The Sheldon's make a difference
D
During the five years that DUC habitat specialist Darrell Randell has been discussing wetlands with nearly 400 different landowners in six counties, he has had many great experiences. One of the hallmarks of these experiences is the two hours that he spent walking a soybean field with Jim Sheldon. Randell had written about this visit in an online story for the Chatham-Kent Times in 2003. “I had occasion this week to walk a 50-acre soybean field with a man who had cleared and drained the field. Nearly 40 years ago it had been a forested swamp. He was considering rehabilitating the farm back to the way it had been when he first purchased it and was weighing the pros and cons of taking this land out of production. As we walked, he pointed to a spot where his kids had once kept a canoe tied up, and he showed me how far they could paddle across what had been a small permanent lake. In his mind he could see it. I could only see an undulating field of soybeans. He and his wife have some decisions to make and I do not know what will happen. I told him that Ducks Unlimited Canada would certainly be available and pleased to assist in the project if or when he is ready.” As it turned out, the Sheldons decided to make an Ecogift of 100 acres to Nature Conservancy Canada and specifically requested that DUC be engaged in the wetland restoration. About half the
property is still forested and is the largest part of a significant woodlot made up of several connected parcels of forest. Naturalists refer to it as the Turin Paw Paw Woods. There are several swamp areas in the woodlot which are used by ducks and many other species. In January 2006 DUC surveyed the open field area of the Sheldon Ecogift in preparation for a 16-acre wetland restoration project that was completed by the end of the year. The surrounding forested upland area will take much longer to re-establish, but with thanks to the Sheldon family, the property is secure and protected. There is time. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) helped to bring the wetland restoration project to fruition by providing funding through the Healthy Wetlands…Healthy Communities partnership, which was matched by DUC. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Stewardship Kent, and MNR all played an important role in bringing this Ecogift (an Environment Canada program) to southwestern Ontario, and the Sydenham Field Naturalists assisted by conducting species inventory. Now that the wetland is restored, Randell reflects on his conversation with Jim Sheldon back in 2003 and says, “I might even throw my canoe in for a paddle across that farm.”
Farmers in four counties can apply for wetland restoration funding
D
Ducks Unlimited Canada in Ontario is launching the Wetland Farm Stewardship Incentive Program as a pilot project in the counties of Niagara, Peterborough, Leeds and Prince Edward. Developed in consultation with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and the federal and provincial governments, the program will provide a “top-up” grant to farmers implementing wetland restoration and/or planning Best Management Practices through the existing Canada Ontario Farm Stewardship program. Farmers who have completed a peer-reviewed third edition Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) could be eligible to recover
up to 100 per cent of their cost for wetland restoration and/or planning implemented as part of their EFP action plan. Interested agricultural producers should contact Ducks Unlimited Canada for detailed information. The EFP, delivered by the OSCIA, has been helping Ontario farmers voluntarily adopt environmentally sound practices for more than a decade. Ducks Unlimited Canada is pleased to be able to participate in a program that will complement OSCIA’s efforts and provide further assistance to farmers for wetland restoration.
eastern region (ontario)
DUC presents to Ontario finance minister
D
DUC Ontario was invited to provide input to a pre-budget consultation with Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. Julie Cayley, DUC Ontario government relations manager, highlighted several key messages in her presentation to the minister: • DUC commends the Ontario govern ment for supporting conservation in Ontario through initiatives and partner ships like the Healthy Waters Healthy Wetlands MNR DUC partnership, Eastern Habitat Joint Venture initiatives, Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Found ation and Ontario Trillium Foundation funding submissions and encourages the government to ensure these types of initiatives are continued. • DUC emphasizes the need for the Ontario government to ensure our natural capital is valued and protected. Ontario’s natural capital, and the eco logical goods and services it provides, is intrinsically linked to the health and sustainability of the people of Ontario and our economy. • DUC urges the Ontario government to review the Permit to Take Water fee structure and create a separate category for conservation projects. Through many partnerships including the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, Ducks Unlimited Canada has helped to conserve nearly one million acres of wetland habitat in Ontario. These types of conservation initiatives are threatened by the Ontario government’s Permit to Take Water fees which cause an annual loss of $75,000 cash and $225,000 in leverage funds. These are charitable dollars that could be spent on protecting and restoring wetland habitat. Of the approximately 50 presentations made at the Richmond Hill consultations in January, DUC was one of three organizations that focused on the environment.
Visitors to Wye Marsh in Midland, Ont., will notice there are bright new interpretive signs sporting the DUC and Ministry of Natural Resources logos to guide them along the trails and out to a brand new boardwalk. The signs and boardwalk were funded in part through the DUC-MNR Healthy Wetlands…Healthy Communities partnership that wrapped up in March.
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan – A great benefit to waterfowl
D
DUC Ontario receives nearly $2.4 million of its funding through an intercontinental agreement called the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA). The Act was established in 1989 to provide matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetland conservation projects in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for the benefit of migratory waterfowl and other birds. The Act was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), an international agreement that provides strategies for the long-term conservation of wetlands and associated habitats needed by migratory waterfowl in North America. Every dollar of U.S. federal money allocated through NAWCA must be matched by a dollar of non-federal U.S. money from a source such as Ducks Unlimited Inc. (DUI) and state fish and wildlife agencies. DUC Ontario applies for NAWCA funds twice a year and uses our longtime partnership with DUI to match the NAWCA dollars. In Ontario this funding is used to carry out wetland projects under the auspices of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) – one of 22 Joint Ventures established under the NAWMP. The Ontario EHJV partners are DUC, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Wildlife Service, Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. These partners play a big role in making this cross-border system work by providing significant Canadian financial support, in the range of $900,000 annually, to leverage the U.S. funds. An EHJV steering committee plans the development of wetland conservation programs. Ducks Unlimited Canada is the primary delivery agent for wetland restoration projects. In other instances, DUC might contribute funding for a land purchase by one of the other partners such as Nature Conservancy of Canada. NAWCA is perhaps the finest example of how organizations can co-operate internationally to protect North America’s wetlands and the waterfowl and other wildlife that depend on them. DUC Ontario is a key player and with the help of all its partners is ensuring a future for these precious resources.
Nature Count$: Health, wealth and southern Ontario’s green space
T
The need to understand the socio-economic advantages of conservation and stewardship in southern Ontario is urgent because of the expectations for future urban growth in this part of the province. The Ministry of Natural Resources has worked with its partners on the Natural Spaces Leadership Alliance, of which DUC is a member, to examine the often overlooked socio-economic benefits of southern Ontario’s natural areas. Produced by the Canadian Urban Institute through the Natural Spaces program, Nature Count$ is intended to promote a better understanding of the social and economic benefits of green space and to encourage a
dialogue about the challenges and opportunities ahead. It is based on a variety of research and information, from local to international, and it considers the issues in the context of southern Ontario. Nature Count$ specifically references The Value of Natural Capital in Settled Areas, a report commissioned by Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada that attempts to quantify the economic value of wetland habitat in Canada. For copies of Nature Count$, contact DUC, MNR or any of the Natural Spaces Alliance members.
DUC program nominated for MNR PRIDE award
T
The DUC Healthy Wetlands…Healthy Communities partnership program with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to enhance wetland interpretive sites and restore small wetlands throughout southern Ontario was nominated for an MNR PRIDE award. The award is a special recognition program within MNR that represents People Recognizing Innovation, Dedication and Enthusiasm.
A component of the Healthy Wetlands… Healthy Communities partnership is the Down at the Pond website which now has a live discussion board where nature enthusiasts can post their wetland wildlife sightings and experiences. A “Wetland Journal” will soon be available as well. Wetland enthusiasts and visitors to Ontario’s public wetlands will find this pocket-size booklet handy for keeping track of wonderful memories and experiences out at the marsh.
Six district volunteer conventions held across Ontario Fundraising managers hosted district volunteer conventions in Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Sudbury, Peterborough, Kingston and London throughout January and February. The conventions included an afternoon workshop for volunteers to share fundraising ideas and learn about new DUC initiatives as well as receive an update on Ontario’s wetland conservation success. In the evening, an awards banquet was held to recognize significant volunteer achievements and milestones. Brothers in conservation and in real life: Paul and Oliver Dupuis of the Blind River Chapter received volunteer achievement awards at the Sudbury Banquet.
eastern Region (ontario)
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 British Columbia: Ellen Baragon 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
Ontario Area Contacts Director of Regional Operations Eastern Canada, Jamie Fortune (613) 565-2525 Manager of Provincial Operations for Ontario Ron Maher (613) 389-0418 Conservation Programs Brian Royal
(705) 721-4444
Outreach Programs Lynette Mader
(705) 721-4444
Education Program Coordinator (705) 721-4444 Government Relations Julie Cayley
(705) 721-4444
Development Jessica Rawn
(705) 721-4444
Provincial Manager of Event & Volunteer Programs Steve Stinkowji (705) 544-8437 Event & Volunteer Customer Service (613) 389-0418 (866) 389-0418
publication agreement #40064849