British western region ( columbia )
volume 29, number 4, 2008
Summer student helps Ducks battle spartina
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Jason Young (pictured right), a student in the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), thoroughly enjoyed his summer job with Ducks Unlimited Canada's (DUC) team in the Coast Region. “I wanted a real broad range of activities – from operations and maintenance to bird and vegetation surveys", he says. "This was an amazing, hands-on experience, and everything I was looking for in a summer job.” “Having the summer students is always an exciting time, as they bring new energy and ideas,” says Jeanine Bond, DUC conservation specialist. “Jason brought a lot of skills which were very complementary to our team.” This year, Young was involved in habitat surveys and sampling, breaking up beaver dams, bird and vegetation identification, maintenance and infrastructure. All of these efforts are necessary to conserve marshland and maintain wintering habitat for waterfowl. One of the main projects for the DUC summer work crew in the West Coast region has been the removal of spartina. Not native to the West Coast, Spartina anglica is an aggressive aquatic grass that invades intertidal mud flats and beaches. It was planted as a bank stabilizer in Washington state and has become a multimillion-dollar problem forming “spartina meadows,” resulting in lost habitat for fish and wildlife, disrupted saltwater ecosystems and increased threat of flooding. “In B.C., the spartina invasion is still in its infancy and our committee partners are employing the Early Detection, Rapid Response (EDRR) technique to control its spread,” says Bond. The Fraser Delta Spartina Committee led the charge to remove this year’s crop of spartina from the shoreline along Boundary Bay and Robert’s Bank. The committee is a consortium of conservation organizations and government agencies including the Ministry of Environment, Metro Vancouver Regional District, Corporation of Delta, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Vancouver Aquarium and G.L. Williams and Associates Ltd. DUC led the mapping and removal efforts this year, including an intensive two-and-a-half week period, when all the groups, and local volunteers pitched in to dig up and dispose of this invasive plant.
Report takes BC's biodiversity pulse
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Bunnell, professor emeritus, Department of Forest Sciences, Twenty-three major findings regarding B.C.’s biodiversity were University of British Columbia, and an expert on conservation highlighted at the July 9, 2008, release of Taking Nature’s Pulse: The biology. “Taking Nature’s Pulse is an important scientific Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia, a significant sciencefoundation. What is now important is how to take action on its based assessment of the province’s natural environment. The report findings.” was prepared by Biodiversity B.C., a partnership of government He adds, “I know that my kid is not going to see the same and non-governmental organizations, including Ducks Unlimited richness in this province that I’ve been able to enjoy. If nothing Canada (DUC), established in 2005 to produce a biodiversity else, climate change will ensure that. But I sincerely hope that strategy for British Columbia. we can maintain as much of that richness and productivity as The status report shows that biodiversity in B.C. is still in possible.” relatively good shape, but is vulnerable to rapid deterioration Dr. Richard Hebda, curator of botany and earth history at the unless changes are made in the way people use and relate to the Royal British Columbia Museum for more than 28 years, also natural world. comments on the report’s findings. “This is a Taking Nature’s Pulse is the result of well illustrated, well thought out document an unprecedented collective effort by that describes the richness of B.C.’s natural more than 50 reputable scientists – both life and ecosystems including its special provincial and international, representing Taking Nature’s Pulse: The Status of Biodiversity in British and unique elements. It also examines the some of the best ecological thinking in B.C. Columbia is a comprehensive science-based assessserious challenges we face. The good news – who contributed to its development and ment of the current condition of biodiversity in British is that much of it is relatively intact, but validated the importance of the province’s Columbia. The report includes 23 major findings parts of that legacy are depleted or under natural biological diversity. grouped under six themes: serious stress and that stress is increasing.” “The report points out several key “One of the intensifying stressors is habitats that are DUC’s priority,” says Ecosystem Diversity climate change. Ancient climatic changes Dan Buffet, co-author and DUC regional Species Diversity and their effects such as the ice age have planning and research biologist for the B.C. Genetic Diversity shaped our biodiversity. But rapidly Coast. “These include the vulnerability of Key and Special Elements of Biodiversity advancing changes will be unprecedented wetlands in the Columbia River and Fraser Threats to Biodiversity and are already having impacts on the River basins, the importance of coastal Capacity and Knowledge workings and components of our estuaries, the essential functions related To view the complete text of Taking Nature’s Pulse: The ecosystems. The pine beetle outbreak is to the flow of water in lakes, streams and Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia and the major just one example,” he says. wetlands, and the risk to migratory birds, findings, please go to www.biodiversitybc.org. Other The release of Taking Nature’s Pulse wetlands and other ecological processes science foundation documents, including Ecological represents the completion of the first associated with human activity.” Concepts, Principles and Applications to Conservation, step in taking action to conserve B.C.’s “B.C. is a spectacular place, known Science Background Reports and the Biodiversity Atlas, biodiversity. Conserving the province’s worldwide for its natural beauty and diverse are also available. biodiversity cannot be done by any one landscapes,” says Marian Adair, co-chair of organization alone. Provincial, federal and Biodiversity B.C. “This natural endowment local governments will have a role to play, as will conservation not only serves as a foundation for our economy, but also supports organizations, resource industries and First Nations. a wide range of recreational, spiritual and cultural pursuits. Under the B.C. Conservation Land Forum established in 2005, “But B.C. has much to lose in all of these areas unless we reverse DUC and 10 other government and non-governmental agencies some of the threats to biodiversity that are stated in this report. have been working under a partnership to secure and manage For example, the cumulative impacts from resource extraction, lands co-operatively in B.C. The partnership also developed development and human settlement have negatively affected Biodiversity B.C. to undertake Taking Nature’s Pulse and will ecosystems in some areas of the province. The report also states work with its partners, including the Ministry of Environment’s that climate change is already occurring in British Columbia and new Conservation Framework initiative that will address key is the foremost threat to biodiversity.” conservation challenges on a priority basis. Biodiversity B.C. will “People now realize it’s no longer a case of environment versus also be working to build awareness and understanding among economy, but that the environment is the economy,” says Dr. Fred British Columbians about the importance of biodiversity and to identify tools and incentives to promote stewardship of the natural environment.S
Major Findings in Taking Nature’s Pulse
western region (british columbia)
B.C. commits to water resources
Decoys and photographs at the Japanese Canadian National Museum
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In June, the British Columbia government released Living Water Smart, a provincial water plan marking a very important step toward the conservation and restoration of B.C.’s water resources. Living Water Smart outlines new actions and targets that will help protect and preserve water through planning, regulatory change, public education and incentive programs. “Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is pleased that B.C.’s water plan emphasizes the valuable role wetlands play in fostering a healthy and abundant water supply,” says Les Bogdan, DUC’s manager of provincial operations in B.C.. “We applaud the
government for making wetlands an explicit priority through a number of statements, actions and targets outlined in Living Water Smart.” In addition to the irreplaceable habitat benefits for waterfowl and other wildlife, wetlands filter out pollutants and toxins, ease water shortages and drought, recharge groundwater supplies, assist with flood control, promote natural drainage and prevent soil erosion. All of these services are essential to B.C. in the interest of maintaining a healthy population, a healthy economy and a healthy environment. Many of the details need to be ironed out over the next months and years and DUC, as part of its leadership and involvement in the Wetland Stewardship Partnership (WSP), is working with the government to develop targets and strategies for effective implementation. The WSP is made up of government and non-governmental organizations working together to elevate the profile of wetlands and to ensure that protective measures are put in place to
ensure wetland areas and wetland function are retained. In particular, the WSP is committed to developing a comprehensive wetland policy that includes elements such as regulation, best management practices, education, incentives and a compensation and mitigation framework. The Living Water Smart document and accompanying information are available online at www.livingwatersmart.ca. S
Wetland Stewardship Partnership
Peace Region summer students enjoy DUC experience
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Increasing his expertise in waterfowl and wetlands protection played a key role for Ian Fife, in applying to be part of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) summer student program. Currently studying at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay, Ont., in the Fish and Wildlife Program, Ian knew the employment opportunity would complement his educational path. For Darcy Paslawski, Ian’s teammate and a student at the University of Saskatchewan’s Land Use and Environmental Studies program, the position appealed to him because of his interest in the socio-economic benefits of environmental protection and the success that DUC has achieved in this area. Joining DUC’s summer student program in British Columbia’s Peace Region, Ian and Darcy’s working days encompassed building fences, and learning and undertaking habitat management tools such as fencing and dam infrastructure and weed control. A big project for the Peace Region’s team was Project Webfoot, an award-winning education program that includes in-class resources and a field trip to a local wetland. Fifteen classes of Grade 4 to 7 students in Dawson Creek visited McQueen Slough, and a group of students from Chetwynd visited a local site. There is truly no better way to learn about wetlands than getting your feet wet in a real one, and Project Webfoot was an excellent educational experience not only for the school children but also for Ian and Darcy, who had to improve their knowledge of bird and pond life and invertebrate identification, to lead the field trips. The students took part in a variety of activities including bird and pond life identification and critter dipping, and learned how to build a bird feeder under the guidance of Ian, Darcy and their supervisor Darryl Kroeker. They also explored pond life at a nearby wetland and learned about the science, benefits and importance of wetlands to their local community. “The field trip was not only a chance to have fun, but for students to learn that Canada’s wetlands are essential to birds, wildlife and people in the community,” explains Kathleen Fry, B.C. education co-ordinator for DUC. “Through Project Webfoot, DUC tries to foster understanding and concern about conservation in children so that they are able to make important decisions about the environment throughout their lives.” Ian and Darcy’s summer ended with a bang, spending a week in August banding ducks with the Canadian Wildlife Service.S
British western region ( columbia )
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 Pacific: Wendy Fister Flyway production staff Director of Communications and Marketing: Madeleine Arbez Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: Deb Menard Art Director: Tye Gregg Graphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe © Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2008 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Director of Regional Operations Ian Barnett, Edmonton (780) 602-3221 Manager of Provincial Operations Les Bogdan, Surrey (604) 592-5000 Manager of Conservation Programs Brad Arner, Kamloops (250) 374-8307 Marketing and Communications Wendy Fister, Surrey (604) 592-5004 Fundraising Rory Brown, Victoria
Darcy Paslawski’s interest in the socio-economic benefits of environmental protection and DUC’s achievements in this area compelled him to apply for a summer student position.
Summer student Ian Fife feels his employment with DUC complemented his education as it helped to increase his expertise in waterfowl and wetlands protection.
(250) 652-5090
Major Gifts and Feather Society Les Bogdan, Surrey (604) 592-5000
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