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PRAIRIE-WESTERN BOREAL REGION Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba
VOLUME 27, NUMBER 3, 2006
Saskatchewan River Delta project underway
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DUC Manitoba, together with DUC’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research and Manitoba Conservation, have initiated a three-year research project of northern delta wetlands in the Saskatchewan River Delta (SRD) region of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The research project will investigate how water level management in a series of managed wetlands affects plants, wildlife and water quality.“By monitoring responses to water level changes, we hope to improve our understanding of SRD wetlands and use this information to help guide future management of these habitats for the benefit of all stakeholders,” says Robin Reader, project co-ordinator with DUC in The Pas. Manitoba Hydro is generously providing lead support for the SRD project. The research will take place in the managed wetlands of the Summerberry Marsh Complex, 25 kilometres southeast of The Pas. An initial survey and sampling in the marsh complex will take place in the summer of 2006; four graduate
students from two universities will then conduct the research work in 2007 to 2009. The students will study different parts of the managed wetlands, sampling aquatic plants and water quality, and looking at muskrat and fish communities. DUC conducted a series of community consultations on the SRD research project this spring.“Community support of this initiative will be critical. That’s why we want to seek the support of local people and resource users,” says Reader.“We’re committed to keeping residents of local communities informed about the research project from start to finish. And as always, we’re interested in hearing from them about their experiences, and to answer any questions they might have.” DUC has worked in the SRD for over 67 years and currently manages an area of 200,000 hectares within the Saskatchewan River Delta.
A Saskatchewan River Delta wetland.
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Cargill donations top $400,000
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Moral support is great. But it takes cash to restore and conserve more than two million acres of wildlife habitat in Alberta – which is precisely why Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is so appreciative of a $250,000 donation by Cargill Limited. And that appreciation runs two ways, adds Robert Meijer, Director of Public Affairs instead of Cargill spokesman.“We have great respect and appreciation for what Ducks Unlimited Canada is doing across Canada and we know this money directly supports our corporate commitment to a healthy environment and environmental education.” The donation, made in early 2006, gives financial support to a formal partnership between DUC and Cargill’s beef processing plant near High River, south of Calgary. The partnership began in the late 1980s when DUC, Cargill and the Town of High River were part of a multi-agency project using diverted wastewater (treated to provincial standards) to restore Frank
Lake, located about 50 kilometres south of Calgary, says Jerry Brunen, DUC’s Alberta education specialist. That 2,700-acre lake “is now recognized as one of the region’s most important waterfowl staging areas,” says Brunen. Also popular with school tours and birdwatchers, Frank Lake is critical to wetland education programs in the region, making it a wildlife-friendly testament to the long-term value of innovative conservation projects supported by corporate partnerships. “Over the last couple of years, this company has given us about $400,000. Those funds have been used for repair and maintenance at the Frank Lake conservation area. They’ve also been used to support our wetland education programs across Alberta
and they’ve supported general conservation in the province,” says Rick Harland, manager of business development for DUC’s PrairieWestern Boreal Region. While DUC will always be grateful for the money raised at special events across the province,“corporate donations are very important because they represent a major portion of the funds we have available for conservation in Alberta.” Cargill recognizes the lasting value of DUC’s work and is “pleased to be able to help,” adds Meijer. “I like to think that Cargill and Ducks Unlimited Canada are both in the grass and water business,” notes Harland. “Cargill depends on healthy grass and water to produce the cattle they process in their plant at High River and we depend on that grass and water to stabilize and build the continent’s waterfowl populations. When you think of it that way, it makes sense that we partner our resources.”
Nest success a bonus of winter cereals
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Craig Shaw admits waterfowl nesting success is pretty low on the list of reasons he grows winter wheat. Still, he likes how this crop fits into his central Alberta farm’s cropping schedule. And, if that’s good for the birds, Shaw considers it a bonus. From where Dale Soetaert sits, that makes annual crop producers like Shaw a bonus,too. A conservation program specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Soetaert is one of two agrologists DUC employs to work with Alberta farmers who grow winter cereals. As part of the company’s Winter Cereals Initiative launched in the 1990s, they’ve developed a group of 70 core growers, including Shaw, who help other farmers maximize the crop’s advantages, such as high yields, market opportunities and an altered workload. “Our core growers are all opinion leaders in their respective areas. They promote winter cereals by talking to other farmers about the benefits and what they need to do to be successful,” says Soetaert.
The initiative also offers growers agronomic advice by trained agrologists and supports winter cereals workshops. New acreage seeded in high-priority waterfowl areas may qualify for a $10-an-acre incentive, too. “Because winter cereals are seeded in the fall and start to grow early in the spring, they provide waterfowl nesting cover early in the spring breeding season. The early cover also offers some protection from predation. Permanent cover would be even better, but with just over 20 million acres of annual cropland in Alberta, it’s good to know winter cereals work for farmers and waterfowl,” explains Soetaert. “We like how winter wheat yields. The fact it’s ready to harvest in late August or early September helps us stretch out the harvest workload and that’s especially important,” says Shaw, whose 3,000-acre Lacombe-area farm is a regular stop on local farm tours.
DUC’s Winter Cereals Initiative is critical to boosting acreage because it focuses on helping farmers learn what they need to do right, he adds. That includes learning to seed on time (mid-August to mid-September), seeding shallow (half-inch is ideal) and seeding into standing stubble, key points Shaw often shares at grower meetings and with individual farmers. Last year, winter wheat acreage across the three Prairie provinces hit a 20-year high of 750,000 acres. Producers like Shaw are the backbone of the initiative, notes Soetaert. “By helping other farmers, they help us help waterfowl, so we all benefit.”
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Manitoba Hydro recognized for platinum support Jim Richardson (r), DUC’s senior director in Manitoba, presents Bob Brennan, CEO of Manitoba Hydro, with DUC's Platinum Legacy award for the substantial support provided to DUC's conservation programs over the years. Manitoba Hydro is one of DUC's leading supporters in Manitoba.
Tenth annual Minister’s Dinner a success in Manitoba
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Over 175 of Manitoba’s corporate leaders joined the Honourable Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation, at the St. Charles Country Club on Thursday, Feb. 23, to celebrate the 10th annual Minister’s Dinner event in support of the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre (OHMIC). In the last 10 years, the Minister’s Dinner has raised nearly $830,000 for educational programming at the Centre, a partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Province of Manitoba. The Centre, just a 20-minute drive north of Winnipeg, is a worldclass facility that has garnered recognition from around the globe. In his welcome address to guests as Event Patron, Minister Struthers emphasized the Centre’s critical role in serving as “not just an educator but also a facilitator of environmental research and a proud promoter of the wealth, diversity and beauty of Manitoba’s natural heritage.” The highest profile and most successful DUC corporate event in Manitoba, the Minister’s Dinner is organized by a committee of
local business leaders who share a passion for conservation and education. This year’s attendees were treated to a five-course gourmet meal followed by live and silent auctions of unique, highquality items, like a fishing trip on the west coast of Vancouver Island, original art and limited edition bronze sculptures. In addition to great food and fun, this special evening was an opportunity to recognize important partners. OHMIC chairman Ross Gage presented awards to 2006 dinner sponsor, Thompson, Dorfman, Sweatman and 2006 major sponsor of the Centre, Purolator Courier. DUC’s president Peter Carton then presented the 2006 Conservation Education Award to ADESA Auctions Winnipeg and the 2006 Habitat Conservation Award to Monsanto Canada for their respective significant investments in environmental education and habitat conservation in Manitoba. After presenting the awards, Carton thanked the evening’s attendees, saying,“…over 70 per cent of Canada’s wetlands have disappeared in settled areas. That’s why it’s critical to raise awareness and appreciation of these natural areas in the hearts and minds of Canadians. The Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre does tremendous work in educating and informing people about wetlands and the need to conserve them. Your commitment to conserving our ‘natural capital’ for waterfowl, other wildlife and people is greatly appreciated, and it is making a difference to the quality of life in Manitoba.” This year’s Minister’s Dinner event raised over $122,000 for the Centre. At the 2006 Minister’s Dinner, DUC president Peter Carton (left) and Manitoba senior director Jim Richardson (second from right) presented Trish Jordan and Don Pincock of Monsanto Canada with the 2006 Habitat Conservation Award in recognition of the company’s significant contribution to habitat conservation in Manitoba.
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Prairie provinces reward wetland conservation efforts
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This year for the first time, the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award will be presented in all three Prairie provinces. The prestigious annual award is sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and recognizes outstanding leadership and commitment to conserving wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl, wildlife and people. In each province, the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award will be presented to exceptional conservationists. Last year, Manitoba’s first recipient of the award was Dr. Frank Baldwin, who was honoured for his efforts in the areas of conservation science and environmental education. In Saskatchewan, Dick Henders was that province’s second recipient. He was recognized for more than 25 years of volunteer work in mobilizing resources and community support for wetland conservation programs. DUC is pleased to announce that 2006 marks the first year the Award will be presented in Alberta. John R. Messer, currently DUC’s chairman of the board and past president, helped initiate the Lieutenant-Governor’s
Greenwing Conservation Awards in Canada. “We lose more of our wetlands every day,” Messer says. “By rewarding those who labour to conserve these precious habitats, we hope to encourage more people to get involved to secure a healthy environment for future generations of people and wildlife.” Do you know someone whose leadership, volunteer service, or education efforts have significantly benefited wetland conservation in your province? To nominate deserving individuals for the 2006 Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award, please contact the DUC marketing and communications specialist in your province before Sept. 1, 2006. ALBERTA
SASKATCHEWAN
MANITOBA
Sherry Feser (780) 489-2002 s_feser@ducks.ca
Tom Jordens (306) 569-0424 t_jordens@ducks.ca
Leigh Patterson (204) 467-3306 l_patterson@ducks.ca
Family ties key part of conservation partnership
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Cries of “Look, over there!” and “Oh, they’re so cute!” erupted from a group of children as they clamoured to count members of the ground squirrel colony at Oak Hammock Marsh, Man. The group, made up of families and staff from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and James Richardson International (JRI), was on a Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt as part of the fourth Annual JRI-DUC Family Fun Day. Hosted this April at Oak Hammock Marsh under sunny skies and unseasonably warm weather, Family Fun Day brought approximately 70 people together to celebrate Earth Day with a scavenger hunt marsh tour, barbecue, wagon ride, and explorer program trek through the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. “JRI and DUC have a great conservation partnership and it’s important for our families to be part of it as well,” said Brian Hellegards, manager of Kelburn Farm, who attended the event with his family. “Everyone enjoys meeting at Oak Hammock Marsh or Kelburn Farm to share some fun, learn about wetlands and find out more about each organization.” DUC and JRI partner on research that focuses on ways to improve habitat and soil and water quality. The partnership seemed like a natural fit, given the science-based approach of both organizations. But the relationship has grown even stronger, as DUC and JRI work together on their commitments to youth, education and conservation. Kelburn Farm is also a Wetland Centre of Excellence site for the students of Fort Richmond Collegiate, funded in partnership by DUC and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation’s Green Street initiative. The high school students use Kelburn for enrichment studies on the environment and mentor Grade 4 Pembina Trails School Division students who visit the farm during Project Webfoot wetland field trips.
Now, JRI’s wetland education program at Kelburn Farm is growing even bigger, thanks to funding from the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, BrettYoung Seeds, Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council, and Manitoba Conservation Sustainable Development Innovations Fund. With the help of DUC and Native Plant Solutions staff, additional lands have been revegetated as wetland space, and an outdoor classroom structure will open at previously existing wetlands in early June. Native plant demonstrations, walking trails and interpretive signs will also be developed over the summer, with the help of an intern from Fort Richmond funded by Green Street. Native Plant Solutions employee Sandra Hall celebrated her birthday by attending the family event at Oak Hammock.“What a great way to spend the day,” said Hall, who was joined by her granddaughter, Julia Hall. “Being able to attend an event like this with Julia is very important to me. It’s a time for her to learn firsthand about nature’s offerings. I’ve had the pleasure of attending similar events over the years, first with my children and now with their children.”
Julia Hall explores the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre during the fourth Annual JRIDUC Family Fun Day.
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CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS Zach’s zeal for conservation leads to eco-adventures
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The passion for conservation, hunting and the outdoors that fuels Zach Belland’s life earned him a spot as Alberta’s representative at the national Great Greenwing Adventure at Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., in August 2004. Belland’s enthusiasm at the Greenwing camp gave him a berth as one of two Canadian representatives at the Ducks Unlimited Inc. eco-adventure in Arkansas in February 2005. These honours and unique experiences earned Belland a spot as a featured speaker at the May 2005 DUC St. Albert dinner. Now age 14, and a Grade 9 student at Vincent J. Maloney Junior High in St.Albert, Belland says his participation in conservation and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is a family affair. “My dad introduced me to conservation, hunting and the outdoors, and I’m hooked on all of it.” The immersion began with family excursions to the wilderness, spotting and identifying wildlife. At age eight, Belland got to tag along on hunting expeditions with his father and friends. That same year, Belland’s father Gilles bought his eldest son a membership in Greenwing, DUC’s youth membership program. The membership brought The Puddler, a children’s conservation magazine, into their home. Greenwings age 13 or older receive DUC’s adult member publication, Conservator, and it was there that Zach spotted the Great Greenwing Adventure essay contest. The rest, as they say, is history. At 12 years old, Zach was the youngest Greenwing to attend the youth camp in 2004.
He was honoured to represent Alberta, and both excited and scared to join strangers on what was dubbed The Great Greenwing Adventure. There were 14 youth participants in all, one from each Canadian province and two from the United States. “Everything was well organized, and it didn’t take long before I made new friends from across the country and the U.S.,” says Belland.“It was cool to meet other kids who were interested in the same things as me. I still connect with some of them by e-mail.” The Oak Hammock Marsh program was a full one. Participants studied wetlands, wildlife and conservation, and spent time with DUC scientists and interpreters to learn more about environmental research. They tracked ducks with radio telemetry,and got to use satellite imagery and GIS technology, and ride air boats onto the marsh. They tried their hand at bird banding,wildlife identification, geo-caching, decoy carving, survival skills, outdoor first aid, camping, canoeing, fishing, archery and trap shooting. A few weeks after the camp, Belland was surprised to learn he had been chosen as one of two Canadian youth to go to the American camp to be held near Little Rock, Arkansas, in February 2005.“The Arkansas camp was very different. For one thing it was warm there and we stayed in a hunting lodge instead of tents. They flooded the fields down there to grow wild rice for the ducks and geese; it was weird to see forests underwater.” Once again the participants were older than Belland; however, he soon impressed
Zach Belland’s love of the outdoors is just one reason why he was chosen to participate in eco-adventures in Canada and the U.S. He is now a strong proponent of DU’s youth education and membership programs.
them with his knowledge of wetlands and wildlife, and in his own words,“I blew them away with my skills in the field.” On his return, Belland was asked to share his experiences as a speaker at the St.Albert DUC dinner. At the end of his address, he encouraged those present to buy Greenwing memberships for their children or grandchildren because, “It’s your opportunity to invest in youth, the future ambassadors of conservation and of Ducks Unlimited.” Nearly a year later, Belland is still pursuing his passion, though not formally. He plans on getting his hunting licence this year,hopes to become a Greenwing Legacy member, and would like to see local Greenwing events take place, so teens can get together and work on conservation activities in their own communities. Conservation is a frequent theme for science projects and if all goes well, Zach hopes to become an environmental engineer For information on the Great Greenwing Adventure, go to www.ducks.ca or call your local DUC office.
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DUC teams up with Saskatchewan Forestry Association in new teen magazine
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Ask a Saskatchewan kid about wetlands and he or she will probably tell you all about sloughs and dugouts. But over 95 per cent of Saskatchewan’s wetlands are peatlands, mostly in the great swath of boreal forest and parkland that covers the northern half of the province. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has teamed up with the Saskatchewan Forestry Association (SFA) to introduce Saskatchewan kids to these lesser-known wetlands. The result is a lively, colourful article entitled “For Peat’s Sake, Wetlands in the Boreal Forest.” The article is prominently featured in a new magazine, Living Lands, aimed at Saskatchewan high school students. Living Lands contains articles about the forest ecosystem, the importance of protecting forests, economic uses of forests, and the different kinds of jobs associated with forests. It is distributed free in Saskatchewan schools as a complementary resource to be used with the regular curriculum. Bernadette Slager, SFA education programs co-ordinator, says the magazine is designed to be fun as well as informative. “We looked at the kind of magazines that kids are reading these days and modelled it after them. “The partnership with DUC has been wonderful,” she adds. “It has given the magazine a stronger sense that the forest
ecosystem is more complex than a landscape made up of just trees. “The kids don’t realize that the forest is the source of all these wetlands. We want them to see ‘muskeg’ as a peatland, which is a type of wetland. We want to draw them into the whole idea of the balance of the earth.” Barb Hanbidge, education specialist for DUC in Saskatchewan, is also pleased with the partnership. The SFA has a good education program, and DUC was able to tap into that expertise while bringing to the new publication an emphasis on boreal wetlands that might otherwise have been missed. “I think it is something that is really timely. The boreal and the boreal transition zone are a huge part of Saskatchewan.” Chris Smith, with DUC’s Prairie-Western Boreal Region, was instrumental in forging the partnership with the SFA. “We were looking for opportunities to integrate boreal wetland messages with other ongoing education programs and materials,” Smith explains. He hopes there will be more opportunities to participate with the SFA in educating people of all ages about the nature and importance of boreal wetland systems. “Once people are aware of the value of something, I believe, they are more likely to support protecting or conserving it.”
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food adopts CE policy
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PRAIRIE-WESTERN BOREAL REGION
At a recent meeting of Crown land stakeholders in Regina, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) announced that it has refined and adopted a Conservation Easement (CE) policy for Crown lands sold by tender. The new policy will protect native uplands and wetlands from cultivation and drainage while at the same time allowing for continued agricultural use. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) along with other conservation agencies recommended the adoption of this policy after SAF and Saskatchewan Environment piloted the recommendations in 2005. As a result, 34 quarter sections of Crown land were tendered for sale with CEs in 2005. DUC continues to partner with SAF to identify and support opportunities to conserve native habitats.
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 Marketing/Communications Marci Dube, Western Boreal Leigh Patterson, Manitoba Tom Jordens, Saskatchewan Lee Moats, Saskatchewan Sherry Feser, Alberta
(780) 930-1242 (204) 467-3306 (306) 569-0424 (306) 569-0424 (780) 489-2002
Manager of Operations, Manitoba Bob Grant, Brandon (204) 729-3500 Manager of Operations, Saskatchewan Brent Kennedy, Regina (306) 569-0424 Manager of Operations, Alberta Dave Kay, Edmonton (780) 489-2002 Education Jerry Brunen, Calgary Barb Hanbidge, Saskatoon Bob Laidler, Oak Hammock
(403) 201-5577 (306) 665-7356 (204) 467-3000
Western Boreal Program Gary Stewart
(780) 489-8110
publication agreement #40064849