eastern region (ontario)
VOLUME 31, NUMBER 2, 2010
Federal funding transforms southern Ontario wetlands
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In November 2009, the federal government pledged to provide up to $3 million in funding through the Southern Ontario Development Project (SODP) to upgrade about 72 of southern Ontario’s wetland projects. This is one of the largest amounts of funding Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has received from the federal government and the timing could not have been better – many of these projects required urgent upgrading and maintenance. Two of the high-priority areas to benefit from SODP are the Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Management Area southwest of Picton and Oshawa Second Marsh located within the City of Oshawa in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). These wetland projects have provided critical habitat for waterfowl, other species of wetland-dependent wildlife and a host of ecological goods and services that benefit society. The planned upgrades will ensure that the wetland habitat associated with these conservation projects remains secure and productive well into the future. The Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area is a 1,276-hectare provincial Wildlife Management Area (one of 33 in Ontario) for day use by Ontario residents and is owned by the Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources. The Point Petre property includes the Prince Edward County Important Bird Area – a designated habitat of international significance for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. The investment at Point Petre will see the original water control structures replaced within two wetland projects and the rebuilding of the earthen berms that have eroded over the years since the projects were first constructed. Oshawa Second Marsh is the most important remnant coastal wetland for wildlife within the GTA. It is designated as a provincially significant wetland and a provincially significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and includes a variety of habitats and species, including species at risk. It is also an important community resource for educational and outreach initiatives as well as for recreational activities, such as hiking and birding. The construction activities at Oshawa Second Marsh will be focused on a section of the berm that has become porous since it was constructed 10 years ago, along with some enhanced safety measures around the control structure. Because Point Petre and Oshawa Second Marsh are critical wetland habitats for many species of waterfowl, other wildlife and plant species, rebuilding the project infrastructures through SODP funding extends their lifespans for years to come. In addition, they are now better, safer places for wildlife and the community. The SODP was established under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to promote economic development, economic diversification, job creation and sustainable communities in southern Ontario. S
DUC President Jack Hole (far right) and Vice President Tom Worden (centre) present The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario, with a DUC Waterfowl print and stamp for pledging $3 million in funding to upgrade over 70 wetland projects across Ontario.
Toronto Dinner Event
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Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) Toronto Volunteer Dinner committee, it is safe to say, has set a new precedent for Ontario fundraising events. The 32nd annual Toronto Dinner held at the Capitol Event Theatre on Jan. 28, 2010, was one of the province’s best-ever DUC dinners – both socially and financially. The event was attended by 150 guests and in spite of stormy winter weather, over $75,000 was raised for wetland conservation. The evening featured an exclusive dinner of Cornish hen, Lake Erie pickerel and bison osso buco prepared by Centro’s, one of Toronto’s finest restaurants. The list of exceptional live and silent auction items included a fishing trip for two to the Northwest Territories, a New York City hockey and basketball package with airfare and two nights’ accommodation, duck and goose hunts to
Alberta and an Excalibur Equinox crossbow, just to name a few. Many prominent guests filled the room including longtime DUC supporter Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs; George Wallace of Bass Pro Shops; Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller; and DUC President Jack Hole from Edmonton. Volunteer Dinner committee chair Ed Seagram was thrilled with the success of the event and would like to thank everyone involved. He sends a special note of thanks to the honorary chairmen who lent their names to the event and to Toronto’s business community for their generous support. The committee is already keen for next year’s event scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. Great work, team! S
Lucky Strike becomes DUC Heritage Sponsor
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A longtime Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Greenwing program supporter, Lucky Strike Bait Works Ltd. of Peterborough, has broadened its conservation commitment by becoming a DUC Heritage Sponsor. The company is generously contributing $50,000 ($10,000 per year over five years) to DUC. This outstanding commitment was announced at an event to dedicate a local wetland project called Jubilee Point to longtime DUC supporter and Greenwing event organizer William K. Mortlock. “Lucky Strike is an example of a highly successful international company with strong core values that are reflected in their commitment to supporting and promoting recreational fishing and conservation initiatives that help sustain healthy wildlife and fish populations,” said veteran volunteer Dan McWilliams, a close friend of Mortlock. Through their annual efforts to organize and host the Peterborough Greenwing event, Mortlock, McWilliams and
Restored wetlands underway
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Construction began in early February on four wetland restoration projects under the leadership of Habitat Haldimand (HH) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and DUC’s Ontario Wetland Care partnership program. Pictured (left to right) at the Thomas Project near Cayuga are Roger McEwan (HH), Lynette Mader (DUC), Ron Ruigrok, contractor, Jeff Krete (DUC), Roy Schofield (HH) and local landowner David Pree. Pree and his brother own a significant acreage along the Grand River and plan to restore two wetlands adjacent to a forested area of their property. S
supporters like Lucky Strike have helped to introduce thousands of children to fishing, and give families an opportunity to spend a wonderful day in the great outdoors. DUC supporters are active by nature: a passion for the outdoors and commitment to the conservation of nature and wildlife brings good people together to create a lasting legacy. The Lucky Strike Heritage Sponsor commitment will help to ensure that there are places to fish for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Lucky Strike is one of North America’s oldest and largest tackle and landing net manufacturers with products marketed globally. The fourth-generation family-operated company has been in business for over 80 years and is well recognized for its community support in the Peterborough area. S
eastern region (ontario)
E.C. Brown Wetland wins silver medal
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The E.C. Brown Wetland Project received national recognition from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects through its 2010 Awards of Excellence program. This national professional award program, which recognizes and promotes excellence in all aspects of the profession of landscape architecture, awarded a silver medal to the E.C. Brown project submission which is now on display at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture. The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority owns the E.C. Brown Conservation Area and undertook extensive work there to restore wetland and upland habitat. A series of well designed trails, boardwalks, viewing platforms and interpretive signs enable visitors to learn about wetlands, wildlife species and native plants. DUC and the Ministry of Natural Resources contributed funding for this project through their Healthy Wetlands…Healthy Communities partnership. S
Mud Creek conservation goals come to fruition
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The Mud Lake/Mud Creek complex is a 783-hectare Provincially Significant Wetland located in the Upper Ottawa Valley, six kilometres inland from the Ottawa River and 15 kilometres south of the City of Pembroke. It lies in the heart of the Atlantic Flyway, which is a major waterfowl migration corridor used extensively by staging, breeding and moulting ducks and geese. While much of this wetland complex is privately owned, there is a public 158-hectare Conservation Reserve managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), which permits various recreational activities including hunting and fishing. The significant waterfowl and wetland-dependent wildlife populations associated with the Mud Lake/Mud Creek wetland were the driving force behind a 2003 initiative of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Renfrew County Stewardship, the Bonnechere River Watershed Project and OMNR Pembroke District office staff to acquire and conserve additional lands within the complex. This collaboration resulted in the purchase of two properties totalling
51 hectares. However, other lands of interest were not acquired as the owners chose not to sell at the time. In the fall of 2009, one of the original landowners unexpectedly contacted DUC to say that they were now interested in selling their 62-hectare property. Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, DUC moved quickly to obtain the necessary internal approvals and to secure the required funding, which included monies from OMNR and the Federal Natural Areas Conservation Program. DUC now holds title to the property, ensuring that it will continue to provide for the needs of waterfowl and other wildlife for years to come. According to Tim Binch, DUC fundraising manager for eastern Ontario, “The nearby Upper Ottawa Valley Committee is thrilled with this recent acquisition, as many of them have hunted ducks in this wetland over the years and have first-hand knowledge of its local importance.” Some of these same volunteers were involved with the Bonnechere River Watershed Project back in 2003 and are especially pleased to see their goal to conserve this important area come to fruition. S
2010 – International Biodiversity Year
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Canada’s wetlands are hotbeds of biodiversity with over 600 species of plants and animals, second only to rainforests in their biological diversity. The term “biodiversity” refers to the variety of plants, animals and microorganisms within an ecosystem, such as a wetland. These species are dependent on specific habitat needs and rely on the interconnectivity between species for survival. For example, oxygen-dependent aquatic organisms in a wetland are dependent on the oxygen produced by aquatic plants. Biodiversity conservation is a fundamental consideration for Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) wetland conservation planning. A healthy and abundant waterfowl population is only sustainable in a healthy wetland ecosystem. DUC’s wetland conservation initiatives benefit ducks and hundreds of other plant and animal species dependent on these rich and diverse systems.
Habitat loss and degradation are the principal causes of declining biodiversity across Ontario. To address biodiversity concerns and raise awareness, DUC Ontario is involved in several initiatives including the Ontario Biodiversity Council and the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN). BEAN is a collaborative network of private industry, educational associations, governmental and non-governmental organizations with the goal to raise biodiversity awareness across Ontario. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity – a year to accelerate biodiversity education programs and awareness. To learn about events and activities in your area, especially on May 22, International Biodiversity Day, visit BEAN’s website at www.biodiversityeducation.ca. S
Landowner with a vision
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In 2002, Robert Crowley purchased and took over the management of his family’s 40-hectare farm in Otonabee Township, south of Peterborough. Over the years the farm had been used mainly for mixed farming and had been cleared almost entirely of trees, but there were remnants of a former wetland. Crowley, a hobby farmer, wanted to continue farming on some of the land but also wanted to improve the property’s environmental value and biodiversity. Crowley began his plan to transform his farm into a wildlife-friendly landscape. He knew he would need to provide cover for birds and mammals so he planted trees on about four hectares of former pastureland to create a wildlife corridor. He also wanted to build upon the former wetland in a valley at the back of the farm. Crowley explored various wetland restoration cost-share programs and in 2008 he called on the assistance of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) biologist Erling Armson. Armson immediately saw the landscape’s potential for waterfowl habitat improvement and set about to help make it happen. Under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (administered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association), the Crowley farm completed an Environmental Farm Plan and qualified for a 50 per cent federal restoration grant. The grant was matched by DUC to cover virtually 100 per cent of the wetland restoration costs. With funding in place and the expertise of DUC, Crowley started the wetland restoration work. He constructed an earthen berm and installed an agri-drain control structure at the outlet of the 1.5-hectare lowland pasture area that used to be a wetland. The control structure would allow him to manage water levels behind the berm and increase the flooded area. The project also included a sculpted pond area to ensure a body of water even in years with little rainfall. In total, the restored wetland area now spans over three hectares and Crowley has entered into a long-term Conservation Agreement with DUC. Because they influence a significant portion of the southern Ontario landscape within DUC’s priority habitat areas, farmers are key DUC partners. Farmers are in ideal positions to encourage wildlife-friendly agricultural practices for the benefit of their operations and the fauna and flora that depend on them for their survival. The Crowley Project, situated near several larger DUC permanent brood-rearing wetland conservation projects, now provides both waterfowl pairing and brood-rearing habitat. It also has potential as a demonstration project for the surrounding agricultural community. In return, the observations and results from initiatives such as the Crowley Project will help provincial and federal government agencies to develop and deliver programs aimed at assisting the farming community in wetland restoration activities. S Sculpting a pond for the Crowley Project.
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: Marci Dube Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Lynette Mader Western Region Prairie-Western Boreal: Marci Dube British Columbia: Wendy Thatcher Flyway production staff Director of Marketing: Madeleine Arbez Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: Deb Menard Art Director: Tye Gregg Graphic Designers: Christa Edwards, Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe © Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2010 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 Jim Brennan (705) 721-4444 Conservation Programs Owen Steele
(705) 721-4444
Landowner Programs Lynette Mader
(705) 721-4444
Education Program Coordinator Stephanie Walker (705) 721-4444 Government Relations Julie Cayley
(705) 721-4444
Fundraising Development Aaron Everingham James D. Lee
(705) 738-9929 (647) 345-3223
Eastern Region Manager of Event & Volunteer Programs Steve Stinkowji (705) 544-8437 Event & Volunteer Customer Service (613) 389-0418 (866) 389-0418 publication agreement #40064849