western region ( Prairie/ Boreal ) Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba
volume 29, number 3, 2008
Kindred makes Wings Over Wascana fly
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Bird Day, the second Saturday in May. Some of the activities For Jan Kindred, the “Aha!” moment leading to the creation of the include a fundraising dinner, Friday night outdoor program, Wings Over Wascana Festival came while she was searching for guided hikes, eco-games, pond dipping, bird identification sessions ideas on the Internet. and scavenger hunts. Kindred, one of the first members of Friends of Wascana Marsh, “The growing interest and participation by people from Regina began looking for ways to raise awareness about the benefits of and from other parts of the province is very exciting,” Hanbidge Wascana Marsh. A website link for a Festival of Wings caught her adds. “This year we had more than 200 Grade 4 to 6 students visit attention. on Friday and about 1,500 people come to Saturday’s events.” “We in the Friends had been talking about building a nature It wouldn’t have happened without Kindred’s leadership and interpretive centre in the marsh,” Kindred says, “but that’s a big enthusiasm, says Lorne Scott, the chair of the Friends. “She is task for a new, small group. A festival looked more realistic. The the person most responsible for pulling it off in the first year and Friends’ board loved the idea, and it flew from there.” improving it every year since,” he says. S There have been some headwinds along the way, particularly in launching the first festival in 2006. “We had a fabulous event the first year,” Kindred Kindred, (insert) was force behind the Wings over Wascana festival, an opportunity for Ducks Unlimited Canada staff says, “but with our limited budget we didn’t to teach Regina citizens about the wonders of marsh life. get the word out to enough people. In the second year Ducks Unlimited and some other sponsors stepped up their support, and the promotion part has definitely improved.” “Being involved in the festival is a great way for Ducks Unlimited Canada to highlight the importance of all wetlands to people in Regina,” says Barbara Hanbidge, Saskatchewan education specialist for Ducks Unlimited Canada. “The accessibility of Wascana Marsh offers a spot for people of all ages to learn about the benefits of one of our greatest natural resources – wetlands.” Now in its third year, the festival is held in conjunction with International Migratory
Cal Cuthbert is “active by nature”
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Cal Cuthbert of Ducks Unlimited Canada, calls a barred owl while co-leading a birding tour at Riding Mountain National Park. Within a few minutes the owl flew out of the forest to perch in a tree near the roadside.
It’s no secret that wetlands and birders go hand in hand. Since wetlands provide vital habitat for a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and virtually every winged wonder in between, it just makes sense that aviary aficionados will flock to these ecosystems, hoping to check many birds off their “life list” of sightings. The one secret that is getting harder to keep is the fact that Manitoba is home to some of the best bird sighting opportunities around, along with a world-class tour guide: Ducks Unlimited Canada’s own Cal Cuthbert. Cuthbert has delivered conservation programs for 28 years and is recognized as one of the foremost experts on Manitoba birds. For several years now, he’s welcomed visitors from around the world while co-leading bird-watching tours from Churchill to southwestern Manitoba. “Visitors are awed by the sheer concentration of wetlands in the Manitoba pothole region,” says Cuthbert, who takes holiday time each spring and fall to lead tours on behalf of specialized companies like the U.S.-based Victor Emanuel Nature Tours and Britain’s BirdQuest Tours. “It can be a challenge to get people back on the bus – they don’t want to leave!” Growing up on a farm near Delta Marsh gave Cuthbert an early appreciation for nature. It wasn’t until his teens, when he attended a birding workshop at the Delta Marsh Field station, that he realized the challenge and excitement that can come from birding. The workshop ignited a lifelong passion for Cuthbert. Over the years, he has taken a more active role in the hobby, now serving a second term as president of the Brandon Naturalists’ Society, and tallying up a life list of bird sightings at 534 species and counting, including 324 Manitoban sightings. Naturally, Cuthbert feels that his work with Ducks Unlimited Canada is a perfect complement to his passions. “I see what Ducks is doing up here, that what’s benefiting waterfowl is also benefiting other birds. It’s awesome the impact we have.” It’s a sentiment he finds easy to pass along to his visitors. Cuthbert makes a point to stop at a variety of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s projects while leading tours. He says that many visitors are blown away by the impact the organization has in the province and many have gone on to become supporters. S
A Birds Eye View
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Since 2003, Iunctus Geomatics satellite imagery has been helping Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) conduct research and development work at a significant cost savings. The highresolution satellite photos are used extensively by conservation staff when developing and delivering habitat programs. As well, the photos help identify habitat in Saskatchewan that needs to be protected and restored. DUC staff also use the tool to negotiate with landowners, verify habitat acres and monitor existing conservation projects. S (l to r) Ryan Johnston, President of Iunctus Geomatics, Lyle Boychuk, GIS Manager for the Western Region, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Brett Michelson, VicePresident of Business from Iunctus Geomatics proudly show off the framed autographed Guy Lafleur jersey in recognition of Iunctus Geomatics continued partnership with DUC.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Trading city life for country roots
Four years ago Allen Seib was looking for a way to turn his city life into country living. He always had a passion for farming and decided to turn his hobby into his career. When he and his wife started with grain farming, they felt uneasy over the amount of chemicals they were using and paying for. He says that was when their shift in thinking began.
“We no longer look at ourselves as farmers or ranchers, we consider ourselves landowners – part of our responsibility is to take care of the land and let it go back to grass,” Seib says. “We were trying to figure out what to do and something just clicked – let’s look after the land first, then maybe it will look after us. So far it’s working pretty well.”
Carving Out a Legacy:
A tribute to the late Herb Stephenson
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donated to local charities and many of his carvings were bought Even after 20 years of marriage there are surprises. Such was the by collectors or were given as retirement gifts.” case for Herb and Helen Stephenson. Helen Stephenson says when Herb Stephenson’s artistic talent isn’t the only thing that left an her husband retired in 1987 he surprised many when a well of impression. His appreciation of the outdoors and dedication to his creativity sprang within him. community continues to inspire Greg Sheppard and many others She watched him pick up a paintbrush for the first time, and fill in the local DUC chapter. canvasses with images inspired by his love of wildlife. “He was always the first one to step up and contribute to “It just came naturally to him; he’d done nothing like that before. He the auction; and as soon as that year’s dinner was over, he was had amazing talent,” she says. planning what he could do for the next year. He will be deeply In the same spontaneous way he took to painting, he began missed,” says Sheppard. Sheppard, a longtime volunteer for DUC’s carving waterfowl. They’d start out smooth, often to life-size North Battleford chapter, owns two of Stephenson’s carvings. scale, and then minute details were carved in carefully. As time “I bought a pintail at one of passed, Herb started painting our Ducks dinners and later the carvings. on, I commissioned Herb It was Helen who first got to carve a wood duck for his art out to the world. She my wife,” says Sheppard. “I took a few ducks to work and appreciated his talent and, on the orders started rolling in. top of that, he was local. It was Then her brother, the late John amazing to have a talent like Luckey, a founding member that in our backyard.” of the Ducks Unlimited Bill Chappell, a biologist in Canada (DUC) chapter in DUC’s North Battleford office, North Battleford, made a agrees. “Herb donated carvings perfect connection. He asked to DUC since 1991, and each Herb to donate some carvings year we couldn’t wait to see the for the fundraising dinners decoy Herb would bring to the held to raise money for the auction.” organization. Helen takes pride and “He thought Ducks comfort in Herb’s contribution, was great – he thought all and in all the beautiful his donations were going compliments he received for to a good organization,” Stephenson says. “Herb would Herb Stephenson turned his passion for the outdoors into a passion for creating art. his work. His ducks can be spend four to five hours every Stephenson donated many of his carvings to the Ducks Unlimited Canada fundraising found in personal collections across Saskatchewan, Alberta day carving away in his shop. dinner in North Battleford, raising thousands of dollars for the organization he believed in. and the U.S. Herb passed away As well as donating to Ducks March 22, 2007. S Unlimited, he generously
They farm west of Watrous on the edge of Saskatchewan’s Allan Hills, a priority area for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). A percentage of their eight quarters is native prairie, so the Seibs have put all they can under conservation easements with DUC. They use most of the land for rotational grazing to support their cattle and sheep herds. “The easements are enough to be an incentive – they pay fair market value, and if you do it over a number of quarters it really adds up,” says Seib. The Seibs first got involved with conservation through the winter wheat program. Seib says since then he and his wife have had a great working relationship with their DUC representatives. “They offer not only monetary help, but they have contacts with seed growers, and they know
what grasses go together – it’s kind of a one-stop shop. I can get all the info I need with pretty much one phone call. There are a lot of Ducks reps in the area because the field station is nearby. The visibility of the agency in this area is great.” Seib appreciates the flexibility of the program. If he’s had issues that need to be addressed he contacts his local DUC representative. Furthermore, he says this involvement is actually a comfort to him. “I’m concerned about the land itself. I want it to thrive. We don’t plan on having children, so we don’t know who will end up with the land. I’d hate to go to all the work and then have someone come in and break it up again. I can rest easy knowing Ducks will ensure it’s protected.” S
Craig Bishop: A true inspiration for all
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Adjusting to a new job can be challenging for anyone. Imagine the learning curve when you’ve lost the ability to see. For Craig Bishop, it was a challenge that, with his own determination and the backing of his colleagues, he was able to overcome. A longtime Ducks Unlimited Canada employee with 12 years as a field negotiator, Bishop lost his vision in 2006 following surgery for a non-malignant brain tumour. Despite all the uncertainty in his life there was one thing he knew – when he was ready to come back, his job would be waiting for him. “There was never a question about my coming back to work,” he says. “What we did do is talk about how my job could be altered to make the most of what I am able to do.” He returned to work six months after his operation in an administrative role. With the help of software from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Bishop’s computer became the tool that eased his transition back to work, even though it posed new challenges. “I had to learn how to work without a mouse, memorizing all the keystrokes
for each command,” he says. “I was a hunt-andpeck typist and I had to basically go back and learn how to type again.” The computer software was just one of many hurdles he had to overcome. He also had to get to the office first. “My co-workers pick me up and drop me off at home every day,” he says. “There is this family feel, not only within my office but up through Craig Bishop's computer helps keep him connected. Ducks Unlimited Canada the organization. I know installed software from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind that reads they care about my every word on the screen out loud as Bishop moves through documents using well-being, not just my the computer's arrow keys. work.” “I know the programs from the ground Bishop recently took level, I have been in the field and I can on the additional responsibilities of wetland give land developers information based on mitigation co-ordinator in Alberta, securing actual experience,” he adds. “I may not be wetlands funding through mitigation. He able to see, but I have the knowledge and knows his lack of sight is irrelevant and his vision it takes to contribute.” S experience makes him the ideal person for this role.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Farming success with Ducks Unlimited Canada
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When Beat and Regina Gamper moved to southwest Manitoba from Switzerland in 1991, their story echoed that of many hopeful new immigrants – arriving here with few possessions and big dreams. Beat Gamper’s stint as an exchange student in Manitoba in the 1980s “put the bug” in him to start a grain farm in the province. Gamper was determined to avoid what he says were huge mistakes farmers like his father had made back home. He dreamed of owning a farm where nature and agriculture work together. “I think for many people, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. My dad destroyed wetlands on our farm in Switzerland, and that had an effect on me,” Gamper says. He remembers watching farmers drain and fill wetlands throughout his childhood, only to realize, several years later, that this meant losing all the natural benefits those wetlands provided as well. These days, says Gamper, there’s a lucrative business in Switzerland in rebuilding those lost wetland habitats. Although he owned only a single quarter section of land and no farm equipment when he arrived in Manitoba, Gamper was determined to “save a piece for Mother Nature.” Over the years, he’s watched this conservation ethic pay off. “With wetlands, when you have torrential rains, you know the water is going somewhere…when you have a slough out there in the middle of the field, it’s feeding your grain roots,” Gamper says as one example of how wetlands help regulate his land, even in times of drought or frost. “If I drained the wetland, the water
would rush south – I’d have more erosion, more flooding. A healthy ecosystem helps your farm work.” He points out what’s good for the land is good for business as well. From the start, the couple worked closely with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to protect the wetlands and uplands on their property. Their commitment is benefiting wildlife and their family. Their farming operation has now grown to include 11 quarter sections of consistently successful annual crops. He’s even put monies received from Conservation Agreements back to work for his business by paying off his taxes. As nature lovers and birding enthusiasts, restoring and protecting wetlands on their land has created many opportunities for the family to enjoy nature in their own backyard. Gamper acknowledges conservation has challenges, given the pressures of the ag industry. “We need more protection for wetlands,” he says, supporting the creation of incentives and policies to keep wetlands in place for years to come. Recently, the Gampers signed a Conservation Agreement with DUC to protect more than 70 acres of their natural lands. As well, he is working to restore seven wetlands on his land as part of the agreement. “I really hope more farmers will sign up with Ducks,” says Gamper. “Ducks is a good organization. They’re honest, fair to farmers and don’t lure you into things. With Ducks, farmers have a choice. And Ducks has good staff.” S
Landowner Beat Gamper (left) and DUC’s Mark Francis celebrate a newly-restored wetland. This is one of seven wetlands Gamper restored as part of his recently signed Conservation Agreement.
Award honours Calgary for wetland conservation
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It wasn’t your typical Battle of Alberta scenario, but even the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta thought a good joke was in order at the presentation of the 2008 LieutenantGovernor’s Greenwing Conservation Award. “Who would have thought I’d be presenting an award to Calgary in Edmonton?” said the Honourable Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, during the May 14 presentation at Government House, which is located in the heart of the province’s capital. The City of Calgary is the winner of this year’s award, which was presented by Kwong and Neil Downey, Ducks Unlimited Canada president. Awarded annually and sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated leadership in an activity that has contributed to the public awareness of wetland conservation in Alberta and/or individuals and groups demonstrating outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation. “Wetlands are an important part of the Alberta landscape,” said the Honourable Norman L. Kwong. “It is nice to see that a major city like Calgary recognizes the valuable role of wetlands for both wildlife and people and has made significant efforts to conserve them.” In 2004 Calgary adopted the Wetland Conservation Plan, the first of its kind for a major city in North America. It is a comprehensive plan that provides procedures for the protection of priority urban wetlands. The plan, which continues to be used today, was developed in collaboration with various levels of government, non-government organizations, and conservation agencies. Accepting the award on behalf of the City of Calgary was Anne Charlton, director, Calgary Parks, and Chris Manderson, natural area planning co-ordinator. “As a rapidly growing city we place a high value on protecting natural environments within the fabric of the city,” said Charlton. “Wetlands are important to Calgarians and we want to protect and restore wetland habitat as the city develops. The Wetland Conservation Plan has played a key role in raising awareness and bringing about change.” S The City of Calgary is the winner of the second annual Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award for its Wetland Conservation Plan. Pictured left to right are Neil Downey, president, DUC; Chris Manderson, natural area planning co-ordinator , City of Calgary Parks; Anne Charlton, director, City of Calgary Parks; His Honour, The Honourable Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, and Her Honour, Mrs. Mary Kwong.
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: Wendy Fister Flyway production staff Director of Communications and Marketing: Madeleine Arbez Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: Deb Menard Art Director: Tye Gregg Graphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe
© Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2008 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Marketing/Communications Anh Hoang, Western Boreal Marci Dube, Manitoba Lori Gasper, Saskatchewan Lee Moats, Saskatchewan Kristina Dembinski, Alberta
(780) 489-8110 (780) 930-1242 (306) 665-7356 (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 Rosemarie Ferjuc, Alberta Barb Hanbidge, Saskatchewan Bob Laidler, Oak Hammock
(403) 476-1877 (306) 665-7356 (204) 467-3000
Western Boreal Program Eric Butterworth
(780) 489-8110
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