eastern region (ontario)
VOLUME 31, NUMBER 4, 2010
Celebrating the protection of coastal wetland habitat
T
The emergent marshes along the shoreline of western Lake Erie offer important habitat for staging dabbling ducks and other migratory birds. One of these marshes is the Cedar Creek wetland, a provincially significant coastal wetland and Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). On June 24, 2010, DUC gathered with partners the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Environment Canada, Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and the local municipal government, to celebrate the protection of 145 hectares (359 acres) of wetland and upland habitats with the acquisition of the Armstrong property. Adjacent to Essex County’s Cedar Creek Conservation Area, the Armstrong parcel was the most significant of the remaining privately owned properties because it included 11 per cent of this coastal wetland and 1,800 metres of undeveloped shoreline. The
property is situated alongside two of ERCA’s smaller land holdings and when combined, resulted in one continuous parcel totalling 217.2 ha (536.8 acres). The purchase of this parcel coupled with the other properties under public ownership cumulatively protects almost 35 per cent (52.7 ha/130.3 acres) of this coastal wetland habitat in perpetuity from development. “The coastal wetlands associated with Lake Erie, including Cedar Creek, are continentally important for migrating waterfowl and their long-term conservation remains a top priority for Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture,” says Jim Brennan, manager of provincial operations for DUC. “The acquisition of the Armstrong property is not only a habitat conservation success story but an excellent example of public and private partners working together.” S
DUC programs rely on science and research
S
Science and research are critical to ensuring Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) efforts are applied in the right places, in the right ways and at the right times. Understanding the connection between waterfowl and the habitats on which they depend and the impact that land-use practices have on waterfowl habitats is the foundation for the development and delivery of waterfowl conservation programs. Following is an update on a number of recently completed studies as well as a look at some new research initiatives DUC has undertaken, to ensure the effectiveness of current programs and to help determine what conservation efforts to support moving forward.
how habitat characteristics affect the distribution and abundance of breeding mallards and Canada geese pairs. Dave successfully defended his thesis in April 2010, as he found that the number of breeding pairs of mallards was positively influenced by the density of permanent cattail, shallow, temporary and riverine wetlands as well as the amount of perennial cover in an area. Canada geese numbers were responsive to the density of riverine, forested and permanent cattail wetlands. This study was implemented to test some of the key assumptions driving DUC’s conservation planning and will be incorporated into updates of our conservation planning tools.
Atocas Bay Waterfowl Surveys
Nest box program
In 2008, DUC and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) partnered to create a database to examine the valuable success and usage information contained in the nest box monitoring records that landowners and contractors have been collecting over the years. The results of this analysis confirm that 44 per cent of nest boxes are used by waterfowl and the nest success rate is 71 per cent! Other species are using 29 per cent of the nest boxes which means in total, 73 per cent of nest boxes are benefiting wildlife. This study has also provided DUC with critical information that will help develop effective and efficient conservation programs, including which boxes or ponds haven’t been used in the last five years and how many boxes successfully produced waterfowl. As well, the analysis has helped to compare the number of annually produced waterfowl against the costs of maintaining the boxes. The nest box evaluation is an ongoing program which will continue to provide DUC with vital information on the success of the program and opportunities to improve the results.
Settling Rate of Mallards and Canada Geese in Ontario Mixed Woodland Plains
DUC and Long Point Waterfowl teamed up to support the work of Dave Messmer, a University of Western Ontario student completing his M.Sc., that focused on developing an improved understanding of
DUC completed the restoration of over 100 acres of small wetlands in March 2009 in Phase III of DUC’s Atocas Bay Conservation Project. The Atocas Bay property, east of Ottawa, is one of the most intensively restored wetland areas in all of southern Ontario. Over the last 10 years, DUC and its funding partners have invested just over $1.5 million and have restored 250 wetland basins, a total of 1,785 acres of important wetland habitat. As part of the project, DUC is monitoring the waterfowl response to the restoration. Aerial surveys identified waterfowl species and numbers on the natural and restored wetlands on our property as well as the surrounding landscape. Surveys were conducted in 2009 and repeated in April 2010. Preliminary results indicate a significant positive response by waterfowl to the restoration, with lots of mallards, black ducks and green-winged teal. Surveys will continue for another year and will help DUC understand the impact of restoring very high wetland densities on a working agricultural landscape.
eastern region (ontario) Black River Watershed EGS study
Historically, wetland protection has been emphasized solely on the habitat value that wetlands provide for wildlife. With growing and often competing land use pressures in southern Ontario, the significance of the biodiversity values when compared to other potential land uses is being increasingly challenged. In a recent study supported by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), wetlands were identified economically as one of the highest value forms of natural capital. Building on the LSRCA’s report, DUC has launched a research study to further examine the ecological goods and services that wetlands provide in the Black River sub-watershed of the Lake Simcoe basin, located in the regional municipalities of Durham and York, which is proposed to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. The research will result in the development of a business case that will provide an economic argument for wetland protection and restoration.
Climate Change
The effects of climate change on wetlands and waterfowl in southern Ontario could be significant. To assess the risk of climate change and adapt DUC’s conservation programs to potential impacts, DUC is implementing a research study that will help DUC understand: • modelled effects on temperature, precipitation and frequency of storm events • impact of climate change on wetlands • effects on bird species distribution • effects on Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River levels This study will provide critical information that can be used to inform the development of strategies to offset the effects of carbon emissions in eastern North America. S
Aerial photo of Atocas Bay.
Impacts of wind turbines on waterfowl
D
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is in support of environmentally sustainable sources of energy that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. DUC recognizes, however, that all forms of power generation entail environmental trade-offs, and that there are drawbacks to alternatives including wind turbine developments. Our organization is concerned about the sustainability of such developments and that they are implemented in geographic locations and in a manner that does not negatively impact waterfowl populations and the wetland and upland habitats on which they depend. DUC has significant concerns with the means by which, and the rate at which, renewable energy projects are being implemented in and adjacent to critical, continentally significant staging habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds. Research has shown that direct impacts on waterfowl (mortality from flying into wind turbines) is generally minimal, but there is a lack of science investigating both the indirect impacts (disturbance, habitat fragmentation, etc.) and the cumulative impacts of multiple wind farms on waterfowl and their habitat. DUC has encouraged the Province of Ontario to address this uncertainty by conducting the necessary sound science that will concentrate on these issues. Understanding when and where wind developments are planned can be a challenge. As a result, DUC also recommends that the Province enhance the transparency of the regulatory process including the development of an improved method of engaging the public in consultations and being more responsive to the comments expressed. DUC strongly believes that the approval process and scientific monitoring associated with wind turbine developments must be enhanced and as such, DUC will continue to promote and partner in relevant research initiatives to strengthen our knowledge and understanding of the impacts of wind turbines on waterfowl. However, until the impacts on waterfowl are better understood, DUC is calling on the Province to establish a moratorium on all wind turbines and renewable energy projects in areas providing continentally significant staging habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds. S
Improving the natural heritage in Oxford County
S
Stewardship Oxford is a group of dedicated volunteers who are working to improve the natural heritage of their community through a variety of stewardship initiatives. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has been working with the like-minded organization to implement wetland conservation projects over the last five years. Back in 2005, DUC, Elgin Stewardship Council, Middlesex Stewardship Council and Stewardship Oxford entered into a three-year joint funding initiative, Habitats to Healthy Waters, in which they completed small wetland conservation projects with landowners. This successful model continued after the program’s end and paved the way for the Ontario Wetland Care Program. Funded in part by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), this two-year program, led by DUC’s outreach team, helped build capacity for wetland conservation by empowering landowners and conservation partners with the resources to implement their own projects with some funding assistance and technical guidance from DUC. In 2009, DUC and Stewardship Oxford restored 2.6 hectares (6.5 acres) of wetland habitat and enhanced an additional 39.7 ha (98 acres) of existing wetland and upland habitat through the completion of five conservation projects with private landowners. The two organizations are currently delivering another five conservation projects with landowners this year and have committed to continuing to work together to deliver wetland conservation projects that will contribute to a healthy Oxford County. “It has been very rewarding to work with everyone involved with Stewardship Oxford and see their interest level and capabilities grow as we work together to implement the Ontario Wetland Care Program,” says Jeff Krete, DUC conservation specialist. “Oxford County is rich in its natural heritage infrastructure and there are many opportunities to restore and improve wetlands with interested landowners.” Ongoing partnerships are vital to helping DUC conserve, manage and restore wetlands and DUC welcomes the opportunity to build relationships with other like-minded organizations and individuals. For more information on how you can become a steward for wetland conservation, call 1-888-402-4444. S "Partnerships like DUC and Stewardship Oxford’s allow our stewardship council to bring a higher quality service to the people of Oxford County. We can network to find many sites for wetland restoration and DUC can provide the expertise to make sure the projects are done right." – Roger Boyd, Stewardship Oxford
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: Krista Elliott Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Joanne Barbazza 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 Manager Creative Services: Lindsay Pikta-Marie Graphic Designers: Christa Edwards, 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
A habitat tour in late July was well attended by council members and their spouses, Oxford area landowners, county representatives and DUC.
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