western region ( Prairie/ Boreal ) Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba
volume 28, number 3, 2007
Canada's best tasting water protected by duck habitat
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The town of Canora, Sask., has some of the best-tasting water in all of Canada and now Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is working with the community to help protect their resource. In 2003 samples of the east-central Saskatchewan water were entered in an international water tasting competition held in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The judges there declared the liquid the best-tasting municipal water in Canada and it placed in the top four internationally at the competition. The community draws its drinking water from several ground wells northeast of the town. The wells are located beneath two quarter sections of farmland and when a local farmer decided not to renew the rental agreement for the property, the local town council went looking for alternatives to protect their water supply. DUC staff offered one of the best solutions: Convert the cropland to forage and sign a 10-year agreement and DUC will pay for the seeding costs and offer agronomic and conservation advice.
“Returning the lands to a more natural state made sense to the community,” says Michael Mykytyshyn, the town administrator for Canora. “We want to preserve and maintain the water quality into the future and partnering with Ducks Unlimited Canada is the best approach in terms of gaining expertise and sharing common goals.” According to Trevor Plews, head of upland restoration for DUC in Saskatchewan, this is one of the first times the company has worked with a town to protect a source of drinking water. “The agreement will work out very well for both groups,” Plews says. “We get a good source of upland habitat and they are comfortable knowing their source water is being protected. And in the end we are both working to environmental standards that protect and conserve the environment.” If you are travelling through the community of Canora on a hot summer day, both Mykytyshyn and Plews invite you to stop by the local CN Station House Museum for a free sample of the awardwinning, thirst-quenching and now wildlife-protecting water.
Boreal forest riparian bird communities live on the edge
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Riparian areas and the forest surrounding wetlands are among the most biologically diverse areas of the boreal forest. Despite the ecological importance of riparian areas, bird communities in these areas are not well studied. To better understand these bird communities, and fill three main knowledge gaps, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Environment Canada have partnered with universities and industry to undertake surveys at approximately 2,075 wetlands in the three Prairie provinces. Factors influencing bird community composition in boreal wetlands The ever-changing composition of bird communities in riparian areas is not surprising given the variability in the habitat of boreal wetland shorelines. Because habitat characteristics such as vegetation composition and habitat structure are important influences on bird community composition, wetland classification schemes are useful to characterize and map wetland and riparian areas. By relating these maps to the results of surveys we can begin to develop methods to identify important habitat for riparian species of the boreal forest. Community responses to fire and forestry The best forest management practices today work toward approximating or mimicking natural disturbances – the idea being that if man emulates nature, then forests will recover from harvesting more quickly. Current guidelines for forest harvesting around wetlands require leaving treed buffer zones to minimize potential negative
impacts on the water body. Since riparian areas and shoreline forests are subject to natural disturbances including wind, fire and beaver activity, alternative forest harvesting practices to approximate these disturbances are being explored. This study compares bird community composition in burned riparian habitats to those where forest harvesting methods intended to approximate natural disturbances were used. These comparisons will be used to evaluate the success of both traditional and non-traditional forest management practices in approximating natural disturbance. Stay tuned for our results. Community responses to multiple stressors at local and landscape scales We looked at bird communities using wetlands in areas disturbed by a range of human disturbances (low amounts to high amounts) in both Alberta and Manitoba. In Alberta, the wetlands we visited were in some of the most heavily disturbed areas of the province. Disturbances included agriculture, roads, oil and gas exploration, and forest harvesting. The largest bird community changes were seen in landscapes that were partially converted to agriculture. In both study areas, as little as 25 per cent conversion of the landscape resulted in substantial bird community changes. Birds shifted from typical boreal species such as common loon and ovenbirds to species more typical of open or parkland areas such as northern shoveler and yellow-headed blackbirds. We are currently examining these effects in more detail. î “
western region (prairie/boreal)
Virden area major donors dedication DUC staff and volunteers in the Virden, Man., area kicked off the 25th Annual Virden Dinner on April 28 with the unveiling of a cairn in appreciation for the support and community leadership of Virden area major donors. The cairn is located at the John Clark Project, one of the many important waterfowl areas in Manitoba’s parklands.
Fundraising dinner breaks records
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A record attendance of Manitoba’s corporate leaders joined the Honourable Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation, at Winnipeg's St. Charles Country Club last February, to celebrate the 11th Annual Minister’s Dinner Event in support of the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. This year’s event also set a record for the amount of money raised. In the last 11 years, the Minister’s Dinner has raised nearly $1 million for education programming at the Interpretive Centre, a partnership
between Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Province of Manitoba. In his message to the 185 guests, Minister Struthers said the Interpretive Centre “is a model partnership between a government and a conservation organization,” serving as “a showcase for education and outreach. Your generous support allows the Centre to continue developing and designing new, innovative programs.” The Interpretive Centre, a 20-minute drive north of Winnipeg, is a world-class environmental education facility that has generated
awards and recognition from around the globe, including a Business of the Year Award from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada in 2006. As an official Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, Oak Hammock Marsh is one of North America’s birding hot spots. The non-profit Interpretive Centre shares the wonders of wetlands with over 200,000 visitors every year, including 50,000 students. Visit www.oakhammockmarsh.ca to learn more and plan a visit.
(l-r) Vic Schroeder, Q.C., Manitoba Hydro chairman, Neil Downey, DUC president, Bob Brennan, Manitoba Hydro President and CEO, Hon. Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation and Gord Edwards, DUC executive vicepresident. Manitoba Hydro received the 2007 Habitat Conservation Award for its strong support of DUC and conservation in Manitoba.
DUC staff learn to stay afloat
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Imagine being in a helicopter, underwater, hanging upside down strapped in by your seatbelt, trying to open a door that won’t budge. This is the scenario Ducks Unlimited (DU) staff from the Western Boreal Forest Program were put through recently. Staff from the Western Regional office in northern California also took part in the exercise held in Edmonton. Here is a first-hand account from Brent Freidt, one of the participants: During our team meeting in April, I had the opportunity to participate in a one-day course, Aircraft Ditching, Underwater Egress and Sea Survival. The morning classroom work gave us some basic skills. It was alarming to learn that most people survive the initial impact of the crash, only to die when they cannot get out of the aircraft. People panic and when they do they make rash decisions. We learned that being prepared, knowing your aircraft and practising escape techniques greatly enhance survival. This is important because annually, between May and September, many DU staff participate in water bird surveys that require them to fly in helicopters at low levels over water. In the afternoon we took what we learned in the morning session and practised it in the pool. We began by jumping into the pool with life preservers in hand. It is one thing to strap on a pre-
A DUC staff member is put through the test and learns what it’s like to be buckled up in a helicopter that has just crash landed in open water. It may be just a simulation, but it is one of the best exercises to prepare our staff for some of the risks of being in the field.
Easier said than done. That’s the consensus of the DUC staff who participated in this exercise during the Ditching, Underwater Egress and Sea Survival course where they had to pull their wet and fully-clothed colleagues into a life raft.
server while standing on dry land, quite another to do so while treading water with our street clothes and shoes on. We also simulated an aircraft ditching, which had 10 of us treading water and trying to help each other into a life-raft. I happened to see one swimmer feigning an unconscious state. Together the group moved him into the raft, perhaps a little less gently than what he expected. But we learned that a few bumps and bruises are welcomed if it means survival. Finally we moved to the real test – the aircraft dunking machine. Two people sit side by side in the machine as if in a real aircraft. The machine is turned over, submerging the participants in the pool. We practised several scenarios including a jammed door and blindfolded participants. In my first dunk, I have to admit I did panic. It is amazing how quickly you can become disoriented and, with the onrush of water, forget how much time you really have. The more we practised, the more comfortable I was with the exit. It truly is a case of practice makes perfect. With that, I became a graduate of the course and a more safety-conscious individual. There is some risk in our survey work, but knowing that risk and being prepared will go a long way to keeping us all safe. For more information on egress training, visit www.proaviation.ca.
Wetlands on the election agenda
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When Manitoba Premier Gary Doer called an election on April 20, DUC was prepared to bring wetland conservation into the debate. Just two days after the election call (and coincidentally, Earth Day) an opinion editorial, submitted by DUC executive vice president Gordon Edwards, was published in the Winnipeg Free Press. It highlighted the positive role wetlands play in many provincial environmental concerns, including the health of Lake Winnipeg; source water protection; climate change mitigation and adaptation; reduced flooding; increased biodiversity and general watershed health. A letter with a similar theme, also signed by Mr. Edwards, was sent
to all major political parties, calling on their leadership in wetland and water stewardship planning. A subsequent letter was then sent to volunteers and supporters advising of our efforts and encouraging them to bring wetland conservation to the attention of their candidates, and a “Tips for Engaging Your Local Politicians” fact sheet was developed. Following the election, an information package designed to increase DUC’s visibility and underscore the value of wetlands was sent to all 57 returning and newly elected MLAs. For more information or to obtain copies of these materials, please contact Greg Bruce, head of industry and government relations, Ducks Unlimited Canada at 1-866-251-3825 or email at g_bruce@ducks.ca.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Conservation easements a winwin for the land and the landowner
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) have made it easier for Albertans to understand the legal, financial and practical aspects of donating conservation easements (CEs). The two organizations partnered to provide information about these unique ecogifts to Alberta lawyers through a series of presentations across the province and an information package mailed to 400 rural law firms in April. “Landowners considering a sale or gift of a conservation easement will often seek legal advice before they sign an agreement,” says Jason Unger, staff counsel with ELC. “Lawyers need to effectively guide and advise their clients during the CE process to ensure that the landowner’s conservation and land use objectives are met.” A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization like Ducks Unlimited Canada whereby the landowner voluntarily agrees to provide an opportunity to conserve an area of land in perpetuity. DUC Alberta also prepared a CE information package for landowners that was promoted through the media and distributed by regional staff. It is available by calling 1-866-479-3825 or at www.ducks.ca/province/ab/index.html. CEs offer benefits to both the land and the landowner. People who donate CEs are often eligible for tax benefits and other financial advantages. However, though tax breaks provide incentive, the main motivation for most donors is to leave a living legacy. “Landowners have their own individual reasons for wanting to protect their land in its natural state,” says Don Watson, DUC’s head of habitat retention in Alberta. “CEs are really about long-term land use planning and they enable Albertans to make a real commitment to habitat preservation.” Albertans are showing increasing interest in donating conservation easements. As of June 2006, landowners in Alberta had donated or sold conservation easements covering nearly 30,000 hectares, and donated or sold fee simple title of more than 40,000 hectares to conservation organizations.
Heffring's legacy in southern Alberta
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Conservation easements (CEs) are not uncommon, but one Alberta couple appears to be the first to buy land specifically for a CE donation. Maureen and Mike Heffring purchased an ecologically natural site south of Calgary in 2004 for a dual purpose – to build an acreage home for their retirement and to preserve almost half the land in perpetuity through a CE to Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). The 280 acres of land includes the 160 acres where the Heffrings will live and 120 acres for the conservation easement. The CE land is rich in wetlands, with a forest of willows, aspen and spruce, riparian vegetation bordering a lake, and the wildlife that love these habitats: mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose, ducks, waterfowl and even predators. It was kept in its natural state by its previous owners, Al and Joyce Thorssen, whose family farmed there. Both couples worked on the CE agreement; the Thorssen family name is inscribed on a rock cairn erected by DUC to mark the site. The Heffrings are ensuring that the environmental house they are planning will have a location and design with the least impact on nature’s blueprint. “Though our son and daughter are grown, our dream is to have a place where they and all of our friends can join us on occasion to experience the beauty and value of natural land,” says Maureen. Currently on the board of Foothills Land Trust, Maureen’s passion for nature is deeply rooted: “My family moved to the country when I was 10 years old and it changed my focus forever. As an adult, the Cross Conservation Area had a strong impact. I became active in conservation and realized I am wired to be a protector of the land.” The Heffrings’ generosity and far-sightedness will help preserve another corner of wild Alberta, but for them, it is only another step in their commitment “to respect the land the way it was meant to be.”
DUC engineer to coach provincial planning group
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Manitoba Water Stewardship has recruited Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) engineer Dave Dobson to contribute his watershed planning expertise to management planning for the Minnedosa Shoal Lake watershed. Dobson will spend parts of the next two years coaching a planning group to provide four watershed plans that recognize the value of wetlands and take steps to protect and restore them. Dobson has become a leader in understanding the process of protecting wetlands on a landscape level and has represented DUC in the development of a number of integrated watershed management plans throughout the province. DUC engineer Dave Dobson inspects a wetland project in southwest Manitoba. Dobson will be contributing his watershed planning expertise to a local planning group.
Work begins on new interpretive park It has a new name and will soon have a new look. This summer the City of Regina approved the name for McKell Wascana Conservation Park. Earlier this spring Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) contractors began preparing about 110 acres of cropland for conversion to grass at the site of the new interpretive park near Regina’s southeastern edge. Wascana Creek runs through the middle of this unique eco-area, home to a wide range of wildlife and plants. Once completed, the park will include a floating dock, a central plaza and over four kilometres of interpretive trails. The park will become an outdoor classroom where students can come to learn through DUC’s curriculum-based education program, which aims to teach youth about the importance of wetland habitats. The Duke of Edinburgh officially dedicated the project in 2005 during his Centennial visit to Saskatchewan.
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 Marci Dube Western Region
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, 2007 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Marketing/Communications Anh Hoang, Western Boreal (780) 489-8110 Sarah Hodges-Kolisnyk, Manitoba (204) 467-3252 Lori Gasper, Saskatchewan (306) 665-7356 Lee Moats, Saskatchewan (306) 569-0424 Kristina Dembinski, Alberta (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 Eric Butterworth
(780) 489-8110
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