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PACIFIC REGION British Columbia
VOLUME 27, NUMBER 3, 2006
B.C. priority areas
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British Columbia has a very diverse landscape, with much of the most productive areas for waterfowl in the valley bottoms and mid-elevation grasslands. Unfortunately, these are also the areas most affected by human activity. As a result, some of the best waterfowl habitat has been lost and what remains continues to be threatened by ever-expanding human growth and activity. To help protect waterfowl habitat in these high-risk areas, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has established “priority areas” to focus its efforts, in BC. Given limited time and resources, DUC’s conservation plan is to identify the most critical areas deemed to be the most important for waterfowl, which are under the greatest threat, and where DUC believes it can be the most successful. To a great extent it is the birds themselves that dictate those priorities. Waterfowl are practical creatures. Where they decide to feed, breed, moult and migrate follows traditional habits determined by the landscape, the climate and the bird’s use of the habitat that nature provides. That means wetlands and waterfowl are not dispersed in a consistent pattern across the region’s landscape. During spring and fall migration, many waterfowl use larger wetlands and water bodies, but over the breeding season those birds will be drawn to many of the smaller shallow wetlands to carry out their reproductive rituals. Twenty three species of breeding waterfowl found in BC’s Interior, normally nest, or migrate through specific wetlands to moult during the summer season. Though each species has its own particular habitat requirement, the common factor to all waterfowl is the need for wetlands.
The Pacific Coast Region’s top priorities for conservation are highlighted in green in this map. Establishing conservation priorities makes efficient use of DUC resources. The accompanying map illustrates the priority areas where DUC will be investing much of its resources over the next 20 years.Like B.C.’s waterfowl, the method and patterns of DUC conservation do not form neat patterns. They reflect the nature of the waterfowl and the landscape DUC seeks to protect. One could say that like our waterfowl, DUC biologists are also practical creatures.
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Okanagan Valley Conservation Plan
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The Okanagan Valley in B.C.’s Intermountain region is a hot spot in more ways than one. This seasonally warm, sunny, arid part of the province is in close competition with other desirable locales; with nearly a two per cent annual growth rate, it trails only Greater Vancouver and the glamour destination of Whistler. But in terms of its natural capital it would seem the Okanagan Valley exceeds anything that you could find in a real estate statistic. As a migration corridor, the Okanagan Valley funnels up to two million birds from southern and coastal wintering areas to breeding grounds in other parts of the Intermountain, the northern forests and prairie Canada. The valley also accommodates 50,000 wintering birds such as geese and mallards, that embrace its moderate climate in colder months. A rich basket of natural diversity, the landscape here comprises lakes and wetlands that during breeding season are home to as many as 15,000 waterfowl, from the Barrow’s goldeneye, mallard, bufflehead and American wigeon to the lesser scaup, cinnamon teal and green-winged teal. The Okanagan River itself flows south across the Canada-U.S. border to merge with the Similkameen River in a wetland 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the border. The big lakes in the Okanagan such as the Wood, Kalamalka, Okanagan, Skaha, Vaseux and Osoyoos are important for recreation, drinking water, livestock watering, irrigation and wildlife habitat. The Okanagan also supports a range of fish, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species – many of which are “species at risk,” found nowhere else in Canada. The bad news is that about 85 per cent of the original wetlands along the valley floor are gone – which is significant because valley bottom wetlands are the most biologically productive due to their
Okanagan Valley’s sunny, arid climate is ideal for agriculture, tourism, wildlife and people. All compete for space and use in this idyllic landscape where the natural diversity is some of the highest in the province.
soils, climate and water supply. There is no doubt that the Okanagan’s appeal has increased the pressures that follow urban expansion, and that has taken its toll. With the majority of the wetlands drained or developed, nature’s “kidneys,” as wetlands are often called, have been severely damaged. Based on its wetland values, the Okanagan Watershed (Valley) has been ranked in the top 20 of the 133 watersheds in the Intermountain, but because it faces such great habitat threats, it is DUC’s No. 2 priority in the region. To help restore and protect this unique, rich and irreplaceable part of Canada, DUC has put together a plan. The Okanagan Valley Conservation Plan is ambitious and achievable. DUC is pursuing a “no net loss” program on the 50,000 ha of lakes and wetlands remaining in the valley, and has identified 2,100 ha of Class 1 to 3 wetlands to be secured and enhanced through purchase, conservation covenants and conservation agreements. DUC has also identified an additional 27,000 ha of important migration and wintering habitats to be conserved through stewardship and outreach programs. DUC’s goal for the Okanagan Valley is to hold the line and maintain the current breeding population of all 23 duck species. DUC will also work to maintain and improve the function, quality and productivity of wetlands, riparian zones and adjacent uplands. The Okanagan Valley Conservation Plan will use a variety of conservation methods to achieve its goals, including population and habitat monitoring, securing and restoring habitat, assisting the conservation efforts of other organizations, participating in stewardship agreements, and delivering education and outreach conservation programs. DUC will co-ordinate its work with the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, the Intermountain West Joint Venture in the U.S., and various initiatives such as Species at Risk Recovery Plans.
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PAC I F I C R E G I O N
Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and Ducks Unlimited Canada
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British Columbia is, by any measure, the most ecologically diverse province in all of Canada. Protecting and sustaining that diversity requires hard work, creativity, innovation and, above all, commitment to conservation partnerships. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) have been conservation leaders in British Columbia for many years. Both organizations thrive because of the dedication of their contributors and supporters (which in many cases happen to be the same people!) and both recognize the value of working in close partnership. HCTF and DUC have worked together on dozens of wetland conservation projects since 1981. From Delkatla Slough on the Queen Charlotte Islands to Boundary Lake in the Peace Region, to the Codd Island wetland in the Lower Mainland and the Hoodoo property in the East Kootenays, as well as the more recent Tunkwa and Six Mile lakes watershed project, you can find the results of joint DUC/HCTF investments in virtually every part of British Columbia. Both organizations were among the founding members of both the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program and the B.C. Trust for Public Lands. But that is the story on paper. On-theground successes are what both organizations can celebrate on this 25th anniversary of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. Queen Charlotte Islands On British Columbia’s rugged coastline, stopover areas for migrating birds are at a premium, which is why the Queen Charlotte Islands (known by First Nations as Haida Gwaii) are so important for migratory birds. On these formidable wild islands, a rich saltwater marsh known today as Delkatla Slough remains as testament to the strong partnership that ties HCTF with DUC. In the 1960s a causeway was constructed across the entrance to the slough, and culverts were installed behind the causeway for drainage. As a result, tidal flows were reduced from the marsh, profoundly degrading important habitat for trumpeter swans, ducks and geese and other species. Once the crisis became known,
the local community took action and began to develop a plan of attack. Eventually a solution was proposed to restore the slough. HCTF stepped in with $100K, and DUC matched that amount. The strategy was As one of the Lower Mainland’s largest inland wetlands, essentially to breach Codd Island is a haven for waterfowl. However, the the causeway, then landscape has undergone tremendous shifts. span the gap with a bridge. Thanks to this partnership, critical vegetation which supports a wide array of wildlife including raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory uplands birds, continues to thrive at Delkatla. Codd Island Codd Island Wetlands, near Pitt Meadows in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, were recognized as one of the largest freshwater inland wetland habitats on the west coast and one of the last undiked wetlands in the region. However, in recent years much of the 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of wetland and waterfowl habitat landscape had undergone tremendous shifts from traditional farming to other uses such as cranberry and nursery crops, golf courses and urban development. This was quickly destroying valuable habitat in the region and there was a recognition that something had to be done. In 2004, HCTF and DUC were once again sharing in another conservation triumph as part of a multi-partner deal that managed to secure and protect the Codd Island wetlands with a $4.5 million purchase. This conservation initiative now protects critical fens, riverine and marsh area that provides habitat for over 191 species of birds, mammals and amphibians. The Wetland Partnership Program These joint successes have led to an even broader partnership between HCTF and DUC. Beginning in 2003, the HCTF/DUC project-based partnership became the much larger “Wetland Partnership Program,” aimed at co-ordinating and optimizing wetland investments from a variety of sources. Since 2002, the HCTF has provided DUC with over $1 million to support important wetland conservation efforts. DUC uses this money to maintain wetlands it already had under protection across B.C. More importantly, this new funding has given DUC the leverage to attract further funds from other like-minded conservation organizations. And with that, it is hoped, there will be more success stories like those recorded at Delkatla and Codd Island. A bridge spans the gap at Delkatla Slough in the Queen Charlotte Islands to restore access for the wildlife, and help the vegetation so critical to the marsh’s inhabitants.
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Tunkwa/Six Mile Lake Project
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With its open rolling landscape, the Tunkwa range south of Kamloops is perfectly suited for grazing cattle, except when one important thing is missing – water. Nearly a hundred years ago, early ranchers tried to deal with water shortages by building small dams and ditches to convey water. This led to the emergence of small lakes and wetlands – a boon to anglers, hunters and wildlife, especially ducks. The lakes also became renowned for their stocks of rainbow trout. But by the early 1990s rangers and wildlife conservationists recognized there was a serious problem when the area’s water levels had dipped dramatically. The demand for water had outrun supply. Also, while ranching, forestry, angling and outdoor recreational activities had thrived there, a result was the degradation of both upland and wetland habitats, including waterfowl nesting areas. Brad Arner, manager of conservation programs for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in the Intermountain/Peace Region, says, “Not only were the ranchers having difficulty watering their cattle, but the wetlands were so dry and degraded that it was having negative effects on the waterfowl.” But, he says, with co-operation between DUC, ranchers, fisheries staff from the provincial Ministry of Environment,
local fly-fishing groups, First Nations, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and others, a plan to revitalize the lakes and wetlands came together. Grazing plans that provided livestock with sufficient water and grass and fencing of sensitive habitat areas were implemented. Fisheries restoration plans were activated. Fifteen wetland basins comprising 280 hectares (690 acres) were enhanced by excavating channels and constructing diversion weirs, replacing or repairing dams, and adding rock chute drop structures. “If dams at Tunkwa and Leighton lakes hadn’t been replaced, the water levels would have dropped by several metres, which would have meant an end to fishing. Ranchers, hunters and wildlife would all have been losers as well,” Arner says. Successes at Tunkwa and Leighton lakes led to more habitat restoration downstream at the Six Mile Lake project, which is also completed. The success of these conservation projects was made possible through the partnership of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, the Ministry of Environment, the Tunkwa-Durand Water Users Community and First Nations communities in the region.
PACIFIC REGION
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: Atlantic Region: Tom Duffy Quebec Region: Bernard Filion Ontario Region: Lynette Mader Prairie-Western Boreal Region: Marci Dube Pacific Region: 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, 2006 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Director of Regional Operations Ian Barnett, Kamloops (250) 374-8307 Habitat Programs BC Coastal Les Bogdan, Surrey
(604) 592-5000
BC Intermountain and Peace Brad Arner, Kamloops (250) 374-8307 Fundraising Rory Brown, Victoria
(250) 652-5090
Marketing/Communications Ellen Baragon, Surrey (604) 592-5004 Major Gifts and Feather Society Gordon Stewart, Surrey (604) 592-5008
Tunkwa Lake and nearby lakes form a watershed scattered with marshes, grasslands and Douglas fir forests. It is one of the most biologically diverse areas in B.C., supporting at least 25 species of mammals and over 50 species of birds.
publication agreement #40064849