British western region ( columbia )
volume 31, number 2, 2010
Restoring Cariboo-Chilcotin's Isaac Meadow
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) continues to direct considerable effort and resources at restoring and managing key waterfowl habitat in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Last year, DUC was involved in restoring Isaac Meadow, a remote wetland west of Williams Lake used traditionally for hay production. The meadow is situated among regionally significant wetland habitats that serve as a major breeding area for waterfowl in B.C. Ranch pioneers cut hay on the meadow and installed improvements to assist with irrigation and drainage. Over the years the structures had become inoperable and uncontrolled flows resulted in downstream erosion. This reduced the size of the flooded area and caused waterfowl habitat and hay yields to decline. With lower spring water levels, grazing animals and prowling predators contributed to reduced nesting success, while rapidly dropping water levels led to nests tipping over and eggs rolling out. To restore the health and diversity of the meadow, DUC partnered with Alexis Creek Ranch and Wildlife Habitat Canada to install a dam and weir on Isaac Meadow. These structures will return the wetland to its natural level and restore waterfowl habitat and forage production. The B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range also supported the project as the water control will enhance adjacent Crown land. Increased spring water levels will encourage the return of plant and invertebrate communities across the full area of the basin. Improved levels will also restore nesting and foraging values for waterfowl species such as mallard, northern shoveller, American wigeon, green-winged teal and Canada goose. In addition, livestock grazing opportunities will ultimately be enhanced when the site is repopulated by more productive wetland species. The partners also improved the perimeter fencing to control cattle access and implemented planned grazing to encourage more vigorous plant growth. “This project has been a gratifying experience, a win for both wildlife and ranching,” says Bruce Blakey of Alexis Creek Ranch Inc. “King Campbell from Ducks Unlimited Canada has shown admirable dedication in bringing this difficult and complex project to completion.” Isaac Meadow represents a typical DUC project where waterfowl and wildlife benefit from enhanced habitat, ranch productivity increases due to more water on the land, and people benefit from the ecological goods and services provided by the wetland for water filtration and enhanced biodiversity. It also serves as an example of projects that DUC is looking to complete in the future in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region as it is consistent with recent agreements with the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association and the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range. Contact your nearest DUC office to learn more about these opportunities. S
Wetlands need your voice
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) urges British Columbians to make their voices heard supporting the protection of B.C.’s wetlands. The climate and appetite for change is ripe in B.C. In 2009, the Ministry of Environment launched Living Water Smart, the much-anticipated document outlining the government’s plan to modernize the B.C. Water Act. The provincial Water Act is the primary legislation that protects water quality and quantity, and regulates allocation. The century-old Act does not provide sufficient protection for wetlands. The government has committed to revamping the legislation to reflect the needs and realities of changing times, changing demands, a changing environment and a changing economy. Within Living Water Smart, the B.C. government recognizes ecosystem protection as an important part of water and watershed management and has identified this as one of the four goals along with groundwater regulation, allocation issues and governance. It is critical that the public reinforce the importance of ecosystem protection and that wetland protection is emphasized in all water quantity and quality discussions. The B.C. government is currently consulting the public as it updates the Water Act and it is important that the government hears from those who understand and most value wetlands for their tremendous social, economic and environmental roles.
Ways to support wetland protection: • Become a conservation leader in your community. Encourage members of your community to follow your lead. • Write or email the Ministry of Environment and your MLA with a cc: to Ducks Unlimited Canada using the key messages above to call for the protection of B.C.’s wetlands. • Participate in the online discussion on the Living Water Smart blog (http://blog.gov.bc.ca/livingwatersmart), a forum open to all interested in commenting on the modernization of the Water Act. • Write letters to your local paper to elevate the status of wetlands in your community.
DUC wants to ensure that the government’s commitments are upheld. We feel very strongly that wetland ecosystem protection is only possible through the adoption of a provincial wetland policy. The crucial first step is for the new Water Act legislation to elevate the profile and protection of wetlands, enabling a policy that targets no net loss of wetland area and function. Protecting B.C.’s water quantity and quality is an important issue for British Columbians. We must show a groundswell of public support for wetlands to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from these biologically diverse ecosystems. The following guides the basis of DUC’s message to the B.C. government: 1. Healthy wetlands support the health of British Columbia. We need abundant healthy wetlands to ensure the social, ecological and economic well-being of our province for the future. Wetlands play an integral role in the overall health of our water systems. 2. We cannot afford to keep losing wetlands. In some settled areas of the province, wetland loss has reached 85 per cent. This comes at a huge social, ecological and economic cost. Wetland loss continues because it is unregulated. As long as no enforceable legislation exists, this loss will continue. 3. British Columbia needs a wetland policy to ensure protection of these valued ecosystems. We cannot rely solely on voluntary wetland conservation measures. We need policy, legislation and regulation to help curb the loss. 4. British Columbia needs ecosystem protection for wetlands in the Water Act modernization. All wetland classes need to be explicitly identified and protected in the new Water Act. In Living Water Smart, the government committed to (1) legislation recognizing water flow requirements for ecosystems and species and (2) protection and rehabilitation of wetlands and waterway functions. Government should enable a “no net loss” wetland policy within the new legislation to follow through on these commitments. S
western region (british columbia)
30 years of fundraising – B.C. style
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“Time flies when you’re having fun.” This old cliché rings true as a significant milestone in Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) history in B.C. is marked this year. DUC has a reason to celebrate and reflect back on 30 years of fundraising in B.C. thanks to the dedication to wetland conservation shared by volunteers and supporters from some 65 chapters. This anniversary is a celebration of their hard work and unfailing commitment. Before volunteer fundraising began, staff, directors and landowners were DUC. Until 1980, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DUI) raised funds and sent it to DUC to implement conservation projects across Canada. However, with a growing awareness that there were important wetlands in the continental U.S. worthy of DUI’s attention and the resulting commitment to spend funds to secure these areas, it became apparent that if Ducks Unlimited Canada was to continue to keep the habitat program running at the same pace, an alternative source of funds was required. And thus was born the Ducks Unlimited fundraising program in Canada. In 1980 the inaugural fundraising banquet and auction was held in Vancouver. The event was a resounding success, raising almost $70,000. The following year, events were held in Victoria, Smithers, Kelowna and Prince George. And the program has continued to expand. Today, more than 995 volunteers host fundraising events in almost every B.C. community. If one person can be credited with spearheading the fundraising program in British Columbia, it would have to be Richard Trethewey – a DUC director and proponent who worked tirelessly to get fundraising off the ground. In 1983, Charlie Cornfield, with Trethewey’s influence, decided to become B.C.’s first provincial fundraising manager. They travelled the province and established new chapters – from Fernie to Powell River and from Kamloops to Metro Vancouver. They went from town to town making cold calls and using their persuasive abilities to enlist volunteers. In 1984, Richard Trethewey was instrumental in encouraging Ken Ferris to enter our national art competition, a competition that Ferris won with a green-winged teal image. Three years later, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. marked its 50th anniversary and held its annual convention in Vancouver. As a golden anniversary project, Trethewey devised a plan to create a book of waterfowl prints by renowned artists from all around the world, with one limited edition print of every species of waterfowl native to North America – 44 in all. This was not just any book; it was a huge
B.C. celebrates 30 years of fundraising. This photo is from one of the earliest fundraising dinner and auction events held in Williams Lake. coffee table book with an introduction from His Royal Highness, Prince Philip. By selling 1,500 copies of the book, the project raised well over $1 million for DUC. Trethewey stayed active until his retirement in 1998, which was marked with a black tie gala and a ticket price of $1,000 per couple. In true Trethewey fashion, there was a compelling twist to the event. For every ticket purchased, a giclée reproduction of an Emily Carr painting (owned by the Trethewey family) was provided. The reproduction was appraised at a value of $1,000 and people were encouraged to donate them back to DUC to generate even more money. In Trethewey’s keen mind, this was a win-win. The couple could attend the event essentially for free if the reproduction was donated back to DUC (a tax receipt for $1,000 plus a gift-in-kind receipt for $1,000). This would leave DUC ahead by $1,000 cash and an Emily Carr print to sell at a future event. The Tretheweys covered all of the costs to hold the event and donated all of the proceeds to DUC. The event raised $128,000 for wetland conservation and to this day stands as the most successful DUC event ever held in British Columbia. S
Congratulations to these DUC volunteer chapters that have marked 25 years or more of fundraising in their communities: Abbotsford Campbell River Chilliwack Comox Valley Creston Delta
Fernie Hope Kamloops Kelowna Maple Ridge Merritt
Nanaimo Oceanside/Parksville Prince George Richmond/Delta Salmon Arm Smithers
Vanderhoof Vancouver Vernon Victoria Williams Lake
New report promotes traditional knowledge of biodiversity
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Early this year, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and partners of Biodiversity BC released Staying the Course, Staying Alive – Coastal First Nations Fundamental Truths: Biodiversity, Stewardship and Sustainability. This report on traditional ecological knowledge is a companion report to the previously released western science report, Ecological Concepts, Principles and Applications to Conservation. Together these reports lay the foundation for Taking Nature’s Pulse: The Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia, which identified 23 major concerns facing biodiversity in B.C. and outlined the need to protect key habitats including wetlands, estuaries and natural grasslands – all of which are DUC priorities. Co-authored by Frank “Athalis” Brown, the recently released report gives voice to the ancestral knowledge of B.C. Coastal First Nations, and identifies seven fundamental truths (core values) related to biodiversity, sustainability and stewardship that are handed down from generation to generation: • creation • connection to nature • respect • knowledge • stewardship • sharing • adapting to change Funded under the B.C. Trust for Public Lands, Biodiversity BC is a partnership of government and non-government organizations. All reports are available at biodiversitybc.org. 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: 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
Area Contacts Director of Regional Operations Ian Barnett, Edmonton (780) 602-3221 Manager of Provincial Operations and Development Manager Les Bogdan, Surrey (604) 592-5000 Manager of Conservation Programs Brad Arner, Kamloops (250) 374-8307 Marketing and Communications Wendy Thatcher, Surrey (604) 592-5004 Fundraising Rory Brown, Victoria
(250) 652-5090
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