British western region ( columbia )
volume 31, number 4, 2010
Conservation partnership works to restore the Okanagan River
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The Nature Trust of BC and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) along with partners of the BC Trust for Public Lands and Habitat Stewardship Program purchased four acres on the banks of the Okanagan River near Oliver. This small wildlife retreat has been conserved as part of a plan to restore original oxbows to the river. Since 2005, there has been a focus to restore the Okanagan River to its natural flow. Following severe flooding between the 1920s and 1940s, the majority of the Okanagan River was channelled and diked. Almost 90 per cent of the riparian habitat was lost. “Small wetlands and riparian areas such as the ones on this property are at high risk due to conversion to other uses given their valley-bottom location,” says Bruce Harrison, regional biologist with DUC. “This targeted purchase adds to the growing bank of conservation lands in the Okanagan.” As the river reclaims its former territory, one of the major benefits will be the creation of additional fish habitat, including spawning
grounds for rainbow trout, kokanee and sockeye salmon. The Okanagan River supports one of only two viable sockeye salmon stocks in the entire Columbia River Basin. Numerous species of wildlife, including the western screech owl, the yellow-breasted chat, tiger salamander and the western harvest mouse, all listed as endangered, will also obtain new habitat. The Okanagan River restoration properties contain slow-moving water channels, temporary wetlands and riparian habitat. In terms of overall species richness, the property is in an area that is very diverse. Additional funding for this initiative was leveraged through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, a Government of Canada partnership that secures ecologically sensitive lands in partnership with DUC and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. S
Piper Pond: An environmental gift in the B.C. Peace
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Piper Pond lies nestled on the outskirts of Dawson Creek in the B.C. Peace set amid very productive waterfowl and wildlife habitat, and is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) latest wetland restoration project in this region. Conservation of Piper Pond was made possible with support from Encana Corporation and a 30-year conservation agreement signed with the current landowners, the Piper family. At a mere 12 hectares, Piper Pond is smaller than other Peace region DUC projects, but packs a considerable punch for its contributions to the local watershed and as breeding and staging habitat for waterfowl such as trumpeter swans, lesser scaup and a variety of other species of wildlife. Historically, drainage and land management practices have dramatically altered the local hydrology of the Dawson Creek area and directly affected the naturally occurring functions of Piper Pond. To restore some of these natural features, DUC built a 500-metre-long dike with a water control structure to restore the shallow-flooded wetland. These improvements have helped to increase the capacity of the wetland and may help offset downstream flooding as well as improve water quality in the surrounding community.
As a supporter of Ducks Unlimited Canada since 1981, Encana’s financial support of this project was essential. “Our community investment program contains a special focus on environmental stewardship, so we feel our work with Ducks to develop environmental practices and help restore wetlands is very rewarding,” says Mike Forgo, vice-president business services and stakeholder relations for Encana. “The vision of the Piper family and Encana’s leadership to fund opportunities that support wetland conservation illustrates environmental responsibility and good citizenship,” says Darryl Kroeker, a conservation biologist with DUC. “Partnerships with landowners and industry are key in helping Ducks protect important waterfowl habitats in the Peace.” He adds, “Now, thanks to the Pipers and Encana, we’ve got birds and other small wildlife stopping by to try out the new habitat forming because of this restored wetland.” S Group marks celebration of protection of Piper Pond.
western region (british columbia)
Family ties into wetland conservation
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Twenty-eight-year Ducks' volunteer Glenn Dreger remembers the moment his daughter Heidi was struck by the wonder of Canada’s wetlands. One fall, while walking across a field following a successful duck hunt, a then teenaged Heidi told her father she couldn’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon. Now, more than two decades later, Heidi Andersen and Glenn Dreger continue to be strong wetland supporters as a multigenerational Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) volunteer family. Glenn remains active in B.C.’s Kamloops chapter, along with the position of zone chair for the Thompson Region, while Heidi co-chairs the Merritt chapter. Those like the Dregers who make volunteering a family affair know Ducks is a great place for people of all ages to socialize, save wetlands, and feel satisfied that the work they do makes a difference. “I think it’s safe to say that a Ducks chapter is the proverbial ‘work hard – play hard’ group,” says Glenn. “All the members are working toward the same goals and have a lot of fun doing it. Ducks is making things happen and it makes you proud to be a part of it.” For Heidi, the fun she had that fall afternoon inspired her to participate in DUC’s Greenwing days – an event where youth take part in a variety of wetland activities like archery and canoeing. First attending as a participant, she later worked as a youth leader and became more involved with the DUC cause while working at fundraising dinners and auctions alongside her dad.
Into adulthood, volunteering with Ducks has been a means for Heidi to meet friends and enjoy her outdoor hobbies. “When Heidi moved out on her own and was working in a new community, we encouraged her to join the local Ducks chapter as a way to meet new people with similar interests,” says Glenn. It also proved to be an easy and rewarding way to give back to the environment. “I think everyone should do something to volunteer,” Heidi says. “Supporting an organization like Ducks doesn’t mean you need to give a lot of money; you can also give your time and really make a difference. That’s one of the great things about Ducks. You always feel good about what you’re doing.” Fortunately for DUC, the Dreger volunteer spirit may continue for years to come, as an up-and-coming supporter just made her way in to the world. Heidi and her husband welcomed a baby girl named Zoe to their family this past summer. Both Glenn and Heidi agree that passing on the passion for wetland conservation and the spirit of volunteerism is key to ensuring the future of Canada’s wetlands. DUC has risen to the forefront of wetland conservation on the wings of its dedicated volunteers – families like the Dregers who have incorporated conservation into their family values and continued their tradition of having fun in support of wetland habitat. S Glenn Dreger and daughter Heidi Andersen make volunteering for DUC a family affair.
Holistic ranch workshop
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Investing in the restoration and management of key waterfowl habitats in the Cariboo-Chilcotin remains a high priority for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). The success of DUC’s conservation efforts can be attributed to strong partnerships with the ranching community in a region that serves as a major breeding area for waterfowl in B.C. When agrologist King Campbell was invited to assist with a workshop earlier this year, he knew it was a valuable opportunity. Clint and Karen Thompson of the San Jose Cattle Co. at 150 Mile House were assisted by DUC, along with Powerflex Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, the Environmental Farm Plan Program and the Investment Agriculture Foundation, to deliver a holistic management workshop to some 80 attendees. The workshop encouraged people to look critically at their operations and provided information on how to make their ranch business more environmentally sustainable, financially viable and enjoyable. Keynote speaker Don Campbell, of B-C Ranch Inc. at Meadow Lake, Sask., has a 25-year history of successfully applying holistic principles to his 650-head business. He thoughtfully presented his topic using various props to encourage people to consider the land, the people and the profit from their business. The main theme was to implement practices that are environmentally sound, require fewer inputs or less labour, and are therefore less costly. As an example, alternative livestock grazing practices were presented as a means to encourage more production and fewer cash costs because retaining plant cover to enhance water retention and fertility is cheaper than paying for irrigation and fertilizer. Changing grazing schedules to increase cover in the spring is also beneficial to waterfowl habitat and water quality. Participants discussed how they may assist each other with production, marketing, engaging community support, and applying the holistic concepts to their operations. Allison Guichon explained how purchasing hay, intensive rangeland management and monitoring, bale grazing and detailed record-keeping have helped to implement holistic management on her ranch near Merritt. In a post-event questionnaire, participants overwhelmingly agreed that they had learned new practices that they could apply to their grazing and crop management, making their ranch easier to run and improving their bottom line. As one producer commented, “More than anything, I have been encouraged to implement ideas I have been considering, and my husband even agreed there is a different way. It is important that people have an enjoyable lifestyle, as this is required to get kids back to the ranch.” Supporters of DUC’s agriculture programs understand these programs provide valuable ecological goods and services, including maintaining water quality, water quantity and biodiversity. DUC supports projects that benefit waterfowl habitat, and is proud to assist producers to implement innovative holistic practices and changes to ranch operations. These changes reduce work and expenses, resulting in healthier land and habitat, and ultimately a more sustainable and satisfying quality of life for farm families. S
Holistic workshop organizers and facilitators (l to r): King Campbell (Ducks Unlimited Canada), Rob Davidson (Powerflex Fence), Don and Bev Campbell and Allison Guichon (facilitators), Clint and Karen Thompson (San Jose Cattle Co.) and their daughter Terri Smith.
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: 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
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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