western region ( Prairie/ Boreal ) Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba
volume 27, number 4, 2006
Birds, bees thrive in the Allan Hills
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The phrase “the birds and the bees” takes on a different meaning in the Allan Hills area of Saskatchewan. Just about an hour south of Saskatoon is one of the richest wetland/ grassland areas in North America. The rolling topography of the Allan Hills landscape features diverse plant species and pothole wetlands attractive to a variety of wildlife, including the thousands of ducks, geese and many other species of birds that use this diverse area for nesting, breeding and raising offspring. And it’s here that farmer and longtime beekeeper Dale Walters and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) are in a co-operative effort to conserve wildlife habitat. Walters, born and raised in the Allan Hills area, keeps his honeybees on DUC land and in return, monitors the project to identify any problems that may arise during the growing season. “Dale keeps an eye on things for us out there,” says DUC conservation program specialist John Trevor. In the meantime, Walters’ bees make good use of the alfalfa DUC uses on the project to provide habitat for nesting waterfowl.
Walters says he could keep his bees anywhere but the DUC land provides something better. For him, having access to land so close to where he lives is more than just a convenience. “The alfalfa DUC uses in their mix provides a source of nectar to produce honey with.” The bees collect nectar from various plants and store it in Walters’ 120 hives. The stored nectar, in its concentrated form of honey, is the confectionary delight so many people enjoy. According to Trevor, this symbiotic relationship is “one of many valuable co-operative efforts DUC has with local producers. These types of partnerships ensure that grasslands remain intact and provide an economic return for the producer at the same time.” The birds and the bees will likely continue to thrive in the Allan Hills as similar partnerships continue between DUC and the people who value these productive lands. Sounds like a sweet deal.
National Great Blue Heron Award
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Retired DUC employee Jay Bartsch (left, with Ian Barnett, DUC’s director of regional operations, Western Region) received the National Great Blue Heron Award at a U.S./Canada North American Wetlands Conservation Act Council meeting in July in Cranbrook, B.C. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan presents the National Great Blue Heron Award annually to organizations or individuals who have made major, long-term contributions to waterfowl as well as other migratory bird populations. Bartsch is well known for his work in southern Alberta, where he was DUC’s manager of field operations for over 20 years and was instrumental in the creation of a number of major habitat conservation projects. His contributions to the conservation of waterfowl populations and their habitats continue to extend even into retirement.
New exhibits stimulate young minds at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
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Imagine digging up dinosaur bones, swimming with dolphins, and the out-of-this-world experience of leaving your shuttle for a spacewalk. Now, imagine that you can do all this – with the click of a button. All of these experiences – computerized versions of them – are now available at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre through a new exhibit, TryScience Around the World. “The future belongs to those who will understand and use science and technology in ways that we can only imagine today,” says Loren Cisyk, IBM’s general manager for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwest Ontario. “TryScience offers a new resource to stimulate the minds of the future by presenting interesting science in ways that invite exploration.” The TryScience Around the World kiosk is just one of many additions at the Interpretive Centre made possible through the support of IBM. Live webcam capabilities and a computer-based exhibit dedicated to recording and reporting bird sightings at the marsh accompany the kiosk. IBM has also sponsored several other technology upgrades at the Centre and within its outreach programs. “IBM will continue to develop the TryScience program and provide technology support for science and education programs to many groups around the globe just as we have with Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretative Centre in Manitoba,” Cisyk says. With the unveiling of the TryScience Around the World kiosk, the Interpretive Centre joins hundreds of science and technology centres that are teaming up to share science, learning and fun. “TryScience offers us a new way to share the importance of wetland conservation, from a Canadian perspective, with people from around the world, while building a cutting-edge, multilingual aspect into the engaging wetland-science programs that we strive to deliver daily here at the Centre,” says Michele Kading, head of interpretation, Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. “We are thrilled that IBM shares our educational philosophies. They have been extremely supportive in helping us develop new ways to connect with people and create unique ecotourism experiences that are fun and educational too.” Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre staff try out the latest IBM-sponsored exhibit, TryScience Around the World.
TryScience (www.tryscience.org), a virtual science museum, was developed through a collaboration of IBM, the New York Hall of Science, and the more than 600 member institutions of the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This new way of sharing the fun of science museums from around the world features science experiments that can be conducted on- and off-line, field trips to science museums, scientific news updates and real-time live video cameras. The TryScience Around the World Kiosk network, companion to the TryScience website, provides an engaging, educational hands-on exhibit for science museums such as Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre.
Visit Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre today to try the new exhibits! Visit www.ducks.ca/ohmic or call 1-888-50-MARSH (62774) for directions and more information.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Dedication honours DUC past president
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Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., was the site of a project dedication May 7 in honour of Claude H. Wilson, who served as Ducks Unlimited Canada’s president from 1992 to 1993. Nearly 100 of Wilson’s friends and family as well as past and present Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) staff attended the event to recognize Wilson’s conservation efforts on behalf of DUC. Wilson’s vision and perseverance were instrumental in the creation of the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, which houses DUC’s national offices as well as an award-winning interpretive centre that is operated jointly by DUC and the Province of Manitoba. DUC’s executive vice-president Gord Edwards (l) and chairman of the board John R. Messer (r) flank DUC past president Claude Wilson at a project dedication held to recognize Wilson’s support of conservation and the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre.
Saskatchewan land donation is perfect solution
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A 656-acre wetland is the focus of a new partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Rural Municipality (RM) of St. Andrews, near Rosetown, Sask. The area is a natural basin that catches precious moisture during the spring run-off. As spring turns to summer the temporary water often dries up, leaving a variety of wetland vegetation and grasses. During the prolonged droughts of the 1980s, the water never pooled and much of this parcel was broken and cropped. Once the normal run-offs returned, the landowners were unable to get into the field to put seed into the ground. Weeds became a problem and soon, the owners were only getting a crop off once every few years. The landowners found the parcel to be such a problem that they stopped cropping it, eventually turning the land over to the RM rather than pay the taxes. “It was a problem that became a burden to the rest of the ratepayers in the municipality,” recalls Ken Ogle, the reeve of the RM of St. Andrews. The council began looking for solutions and thought perhaps the best thing to do would be to let the parcel return to its natural condition. With no time or money to do so, they wondered if DUC would be interested in buying and restoring the piece.
DUC biologist Kelly Rempel conducted the initial review of the site in the spring of 2005. He was delighted when he found a large shallow wetland with some areas still in natural cover. “I was blown away at how many pairs of pintails were on this basin,” Rempel recalls. Northern pintails are a waterfowl species of particular interest to DUC, which has been trying to address this duck’s declining population. However, while the property had considerable value to DUC, the organization simply couldn’t afford to purchase the land. That’s when the idea of donating the property emerged. By donating the property, the RM would see the care of the land turned over to a conservation organization which would then become the ratepayer. The local council wanted to ensure there was no other interest in the land and decided to tender the parcel for sale. When no offers were received, council moved forward with the donation, ultimately voting unanimously in favour of making the land donation to DUC at a value of nearly $60,000. “We wanted to find a solution that would eliminate the cost to the other ratepayers, but would also solve the spreading weed and salinity problems,” Ogle says. “Turning the land back to habitat seemed like the best solution all around.” While the wetland looks full this spring, council understands that the land isn’t going to return to a natural state overnight. It will take time and a few growing cycles for the natural wetland vegetation to return and for the weeds to die down. However, in that time, one of the greatest achievements of this transaction is the emerging partnership between the RM of St. Andrews and DUC. “DUC is very thankful to the RM of St. Andrews for their generosity and foresight with this land donation,” says Rempel. “We’re looking forward to working together for years to come.” DUC’s Kelly Rempel (left) thanks RM of St. Andrews reeve Ken Ogle and RM administrator Joan Babecy for the RM’s donation of a land parcel that will be returned to its natural state to benefit northern pintail and other waterfowl and wildlife species.
Yellowknife chapter celebrates 20 years
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Twenty years and still going strong! DUC’s Yellowknife fundraising chapter celebrated its 20th annual banquet and auction this past April. Since its inception, the chapter has raised over a half million dollars for Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) conservation efforts. Today there are four chapters in four communities from Hay River in the south to Inuvik near the Arctic coast, together raising close to a quarter of a million dollars a year for DUC’s efforts in the Northwest Territories. The event in April was a chance for the Yellowknife chapter to recognize some of the supporters of DUC over the last 20 years. First Air has been the longest and biggest supporter, having donated since the first Yellowknife event. Mike Olson, director of sales for the Western Region, was on hand to accept an award. Doug Witty of Force One, Bryan Rendell of Wolverine Guns and Tackle, and Tony Bembridge on behalf of Great Slave Helicopters
were all on hand to accept awards for their generous support. Gerry Leprieur was also recognized for his contributions as a volunteer and auctioneer to this chapter and others throughout the N.W.T. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any grassroots fundraising initiative and the Yellowknife chapter is no exception. “I can honestly say I have never worked with a more dedicated group of fun, committed people,” says Bruce MacDonald, former DUC employee and current chair of the Yellowknife chapter. “It’s often said that if you give Yellowknifers a good cause, they will support it.” Ducks Unlimited Canada would like to thank those who continue to volunteer and support its wetland conservation efforts. Your contributions help keep the boreal forest an ecologically intact and productive habitat that will continue to sustain a high diversity and abundance of wetlands and waterfowl.
Wascana festival offers outdoor education
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Wascana Centre is home to one of the largest urban parks in the world. It is the pride of Regina and the site of the province’s Legislative Building, overlooking a man-made lake. While many people looking for a brief escape from city life congregate along the shores near the Legislature, many species of wildlife make their homes further east, in the natural marsh. The marsh is a federal bird sanctuary encompassing 223 hectares of diverse wildlife habitat. On May 12 and 13 the Friends of Wascana Marsh held their first “Wings Over Wascana” outdoor nature festival, with the goal of making more people aware of the biological diversity and wildlife sanctuary located right on their doorstep. Lorne Scott, the president of the Friends, says the festival marked a major milestone for the organization, which was formed only three years ago. “The success of this festival gives us confidence to plan for next year and to work with the Wascana Centre Authority over the longer term to develop an outdoor-based nature interpretive centre,” Scott says. “I'm extremely impressed with the support we received from partner organizations like Ducks Unlimited Canada, which donated resource people, equipment, materials, volunteers and/or funding.” The festival was divided into a “school” day and a “public” day. Students from eight Regina and area elementary schools participated in various activities in the Marsh on May 12. This pilot project proved to be a great success. “One teacher told me that many of our activities connected with the school curriculum,” says festival Suzanne Joyce (standing) of DUC’s Regina office helped students attending the inaugural “Wings Over Wascana” festival with their pond dipping techniques and explained what they were finding in their nets.
organizer Jan Kindred. “Next year I’d like to include resource materials and website links on wetlands to teachers in advance, expanding the environmental education component of the festival. We also want to increase the number of students we can accommodate next year.” Bill Lishman, who is known as “Father Goose” for his work in rehabilitating hundreds of injured geese and teaching them to fly again, provided a high-profile “name” for the festival. Lishman gave presentations to the students, spoke at a fundraising dinner for the Friends, and chatted with members of the public who attended on the 13th, which was, fittingly, International Migratory Bird Day. The festival was also a hit with a group of Brownies led by Patty Maloughney-Herbel. “We don’t have enough leaders to organize outings like this for our girls, but this festival is a wonderful and a fun way for them to learn. I hope the organizers make it an annual event,” Maloughney-Herbel says.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Conservation Champions Alberta rancher partners with DUC to restore 100 wetlands
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Adapting to changing stock, changing climate and changing times is likely to pay off for bison rancher Ross Adam. Adam manages 2,000 head of bison on his family ranch near Grande Prairie and last year, he decided to partner with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to restore the wetlands on his property. “What’s good for the buffalo is good for ducks, too,” says Adam, who explains that on spreads with rolling land like his ranch, bison feed on the grassland on the upper slopes in summer and move down to graze on the longer-lasting rough grasses found in wetlands in winter. However, much of the natural wetlands on the Adam ranch had been drained by Ross’s grandfather and father and by him over the years as they cleared land for pasture for the cattle they used to raise. “The land was very wet 30 years ago. I spent my whole life draining it,” says Adam. “Now I’m working just as hard to bring the wetlands back.” Adam approached DUC for advice and assistance. He met with Dave Matheson,
DUC’s field representative in the Grande Prairie area, to talk about wetlands restoration. Matheson pulled out DUC aerial maps of the ranch from 1949-50 and then walked the land with Adam, looking for depressions that indicate an old water basin. “Sometimes you’ll spot plants that are different too – sedges and slough grass,” says Matheson, “and you find old ditches that were used to drain the water off.” Due to the extent of the property, DUC completed a detailed wetland inventory to identify existing and drained wetlands. With this inventory and Adam’s personal knowledge of the land, restoration sites were confirmed. A long-term agreement was signed that covers restoration of up to 100 wetlands on 30 quarter sections of land over three years (2005-07). “This project is unique in the area because of its size and the long-term relationship we have forged,” says Rick Shewchuk, head of wetland restoration for DUC in Alberta. “We were delighted when Ross approached us and we discovered we had mutual goals.” DUC began its restoration work on the Adam ranch in September 2005 by recontouring the artificial drainage works to their natural condition, in essence filling and grading the ditches – a first step in restoring natural water levels.
Alberta rancher Ross Adam (left) speaks with DUC habitat specialist Randy Cummer. Adam is working with DUC to restore previously drained wetlands on his family ranch near Grande Prairie (below). In July 2006, DUC engineers headed up to the Adam ranch to do reconnaissance for the more involved work of building dams and berms. DUC expects to restore 40 to 50 wetlands on the Adam ranch in 2006, and an equal or greater number in 2007. The lack of snow this winter resulted in very little run-off water, so there were few immediate results from early restoration work. But Adam is optimistic that the work will pay off over time. The Adams have seven children and four are now working the land alongside their parents. Restoring the wetlands is a legacy for them, as well as for the waterfowl and natural life they will support.
DUC presentation stresses wetlands protection
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recently took advantage of an opportunity to press for stronger enforcement and control of illegal drainage of wetlands in Manitoba. In December 2005, the Manitoba government introduced the Water Rights Amendment Act, which is intended to improve enforcement action against illegal and unlicensed drainage actions under the province’s Water Rights Act. The Water Rights Amendment Act received second reading in May 2006 and was then referred to the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development to hear public input on June 5. DUC was the only conservation agency to make a presentation. In making his presentation to the committee, Greg Bruce, head of industry and government relations for DUC in Manitoba, said that “There is significant scientific research that underscores the important role that wetland ecosystems play not only as critical waterfowl habitat but also as natural purification systems and in reducing peak
run-off flows. Yet wetland loss continues.” According to Bruce, while DUC has always emphasized the need for an integrated policy approach to water management through a comprehensive mix of incentives, extension and regulation tools, this presentation was an opportunity to recommend the need “to establish clear and effective policies that would help protect wetlands with an emphasis on protecting the most threatened temporary and seasonal basins.” Bruce adds that DUC’s presentation was well received by the committee and was followed by presentations from producers who provided testimonials on the negative impacts that uncontrolled upstream wetland drainage has had on their farms. “We have also followed up by distributing our presentation to a broad audience of partners to inform them of our position and to solicit their future support for wetlands conservation and restoration,” Bruce says.
DUC award recognizes Manitoba’s community newspapers
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recognized three of Manitoba’s rural newspapers for excellence in environmental writing at the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association (MCNA) 87th Annual Better Newspaper Competition Awards banquet held April 29 in Winnipeg. This is the sixth year DUC has sponsored the Habitat Conservation Writing Award, which was established to recognize the role the MCNA’s member newspapers play in bringing conservation stories to their local communities. Manitoba Premier Gary Doer was the keynote speaker at the banquet, which was attended by 150 people representing MCNA newspapers and award sponsors. The first-place award was presented to reporter Jim Mosher of the Interlake Spectator. Mosher’s article profiled a scientific research report about Netley-Libau Marsh, a wetland that has feeds into Lake Winnipeg and that has undergone a significant loss of
vegetation over the last 25 years – losing the cleansing and habitat-sustaining benefits normally associated with wetland ecosystems in the process. Second place in this category was awarded to the Central Plains Herald Leader and third place to the Roblin Review. DUC’s Habitat Conservation Writing Award is available to MCNA newspapers, their writing staff and/or freelancers commissioned by the paper to recognize stories that provide environment-focused information that advocates habitat conservation and provokes discussion on such topics as the conservation of wetlands and their associated upland habitats, water and watershed management, water quality and quantity issues, agricultural crops and practices that contribute to habitat conservation, grassland management, research, and conservation education.
western region ( Prairie/ Boreal )
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 British Columbia: 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
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