western region ( Prairie/ Boreal ) Yukon • Northwest Territories • Nunavut • Alberta • Saskatchewan • Manitoba
volume 30, number 1 , 2009
Haaland's find DUC good for their land
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Chad and Carissa Haaland know that what’s good for their land is good for their business. That’s one of the reasons why they have chosen to work with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) for the past five years. In 2002, the couple was just setting out to establish their custom grazing operation in central Saskatchewan, when Ducks began working with them, providing financial assistance and agronomic advice to develop a sustainable grazing system. Since then, the Haalands continue to collaborate with Ducks to find conservation solutions that help them build their operation and provide benefits to waterfowl and wildlife in the area. Since establishing their seeded pasture, they have partnered with Ducks on cross-fencing paddocks and establishing a water pipeline
system for their cattle. The couple also open their operation up to others, hosting several field tours and rangeland workshops. Each year Ducks sponsored field tours attract 5,969 people from across the province. Recently, they chose to protect 510 acres of native grassland and wetlands through a conservation easement (CE) with DUC. Eighty other families use similar easements and it is expected they will protect more than 16,000 acres of natural areas including almost 4,500 acres of wetlands. These native pastures and wetlands that are so important to these families and their businesses today will be protected from loss in the future. The relationship between Ducks and the Haaland family continues to grow. As their business grows, Chad and Carissa continue to explore ways that Ducks can help them with new ideas or expansion opportunities. They are leading the way – “conserving a path” some might say – for more landowners to follow. Over the past year, 61,107 acres were enrolled in DUC’s rangeland stewardship program and another 36,953 acres were converted to forage with support from Ducks and our partners. Whether establishing forage, developing grazing systems, or protecting natural areas from loss, Ducks is working with farm and ranch operations across the province to find conservation solutions that fit their businesses. The Haalands are always willing to share their conservation solutions with others. Chad Haaland (on horse back) explains the benefits of cross fencing, remote watering and forage conversion to a group of ranchers in the Allan Hills area of Saskatchewan.
DUC biologist visits DU New Zealand
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Conserving wetlands is what Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is all about, and with nearly 25 per cent of the world’s wetlands right here at home, our task is a significant one. However, on the other side of the globe you will find that familiar green duck head proudly emblazoned on the chests of volunteers who are working to conserve wetlands for Ducks Unlimited New Zealand (DUNZ). That’s what Barbara Hanbidge, education specialist for Ducks in Saskatchewan, found when she was invited to speak at the group’s annual general meeting earlier this year. “The biggest similarly I saw between DUC and DUNZ was the dedication, (L-R) Sandra Pipes, secretary DUNZ, Barb Hanbidge commitment and and DUNZ member Rod Johnson at Lake Lopez, a DUNZ enthusiasm of wetland restoration project. Hanbidge found many the members and similarities between the two Ducks organizations volunteers. They are during her tour. super folks working against very large odds but that has not slowed them down in the least.” With only one staff person and 500 members, DUNZ is entirely membership-driven. It may seem small in size, but the members are dedicated and passionate about wetlands and waterfowl and not only fundraise, but initiate and conduct conservation projects throughout the country.
On tour with Ducks
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Earlier this year, the Honourable Nancy Heppner, Minister of Environment for the Government of Saskatchewan, toured the Thickwood Hills area to learn more about wetland conservation and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Following the summer tour, Minister Heppner and Jeff Nelson, executive vice-president of DUC, signed an agreement extending an ongoing partnership for another year. The agreement provides up to $500,000 to the organization for habitat programs. The money is generated from the sale of all Hunting and trapping licenses sold in the province and is distributed through the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund. (L to R): Brent Kennedy, Saskatchewan manager of provincial operations (DUC); Hon. Minister Nancy Heppner; Dave Obertos (DUC), Everett & Brandon Lesko (DUC partners); Peter Carton, Chairman (DUC), Cynthia Edwards, national policy director (DUC) and Joel Peterson, head, DUC Saskatchewan industry and government relations tour Thickwood Hills area.
Hanbidge has been a member of DU New Zealand for many years but first visited New Zealand early in 2007 while on vacation with her husband. A biologist by training and longtime member of Ducks, she wanted to learn more about conservation and restoration efforts being conducted by our sister organization “down under,” so she contacted the people from the organization before leaving Canada and made arrangements to get together. She learned that more than 90 per cent of natural wetlands have been lost in New Zealand. The major focus of the group is wetland restoration and development. Like in Canada, the New Zealand volunteers work with landowners and farmers to address the environmental issues that arise from year-round farming and pasture management. Unlike DUC, DUNZ is also involved in the reintroduction of threatened waterfowl species to restored wetlands. In New Zealand, the loss of bird species is an immense problem, due not only to habitat loss, but also because of introduced predators such as feral cats, rats, ferrets, weasels and stoats. DUNZ is also exploring the option of a children’s education program for use in the schools, and turned to Hanbidge for advice. She is an education co-ordinator with DUC in Saskatchewan. In 2004, DUNZ helped to fund the production of a CD entitled “Waterfowl and Wetlands: A New Zealand Legacy.” This has been well received by teachers and students and may be the starting point for subsequent educational resources. “There is a great deal of interest in educating New Zealand youth about wetland values and wetland conservation,” Hanbidge says. “Members of Ducks Unlimited New Zealand want to know about the kind of conservation work we are doing in rural and urban areas of Canada as well as DU’s research on carbon sequestration in wetlands.” She says there is interest in sending a DUNZ contingent to Canada to help us celebrate DUC’s 75th anniversary.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Oyen's volunteer spirit all in the family
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In Oyen, Alta., raising money for Ducks Unlimited Canada is a family affair. The community has a tight-knit group of volunteers, mixing experience with new ideas. Fathers pass the torch to their sons, while uncles and aunts bring their nephews and nieces on board. The cousins then encourage other family to join in the effort. They say by encouraging other family members to join in the local chapter they are helping raise money for the organization and are helping their community thrive. Randy Wiechnik and his nephew Ashley farm and volunteer together. Randy is one of the founding members of the Oyen chapter and as his 25th anniversary approaches, he’s ready for another Wiechnik to take his place. “We have great community support for this group, which helps keep enthusiasm
up,” he says. “In this area of the world we have no problems with community businesses grasping the concept of wildlife habitat. And we have no trouble convincing our families to step up to the plate to help out.” “We’ve been taught all along that Ducks Unlimited Canada is important in this area,” adds Ashley. “Being from the farm, I can see the difference when there’s water in the sloughs and marshes and when there’s none. It’s good to see the families working together to keep up support.” The Wiechniks are not alone when it comes to the family reunion style of fundraising. Aaron Dillabough was considered one of the young guys when he was asked to join the committee 13 years. His father Bruce is also one of the founding members of the chapter. “We care a lot about the health of the
land and the critters that live on it,” says the younger Dillabough. “In this area, if we have a year with little snow we need to know there are plans in place to help hold and conserve the water for the farms and ranches and for the health of the wildlife.” The Oyen group fundraises throughout the year, and their work culminates with their annual supper and auction. The event is a highlight in the community and helps raise money to secure critical waterfowl habitat across southern Alberta. There are several other multigenerational volunteers from Oyen include Perry and Charles Allen, Doug and Greg Norris, Carl and Jordan Kuhn, Keith and Spencer Mehl, and John and Paul Lijdsman.
Habitat helps cattle and waterfowl
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Whether you are a waterfowler, a cattleman or both, you’re sure to be interested in seeing rolling green hills and plentiful wetlands across the prairie and parkland of Saskatchewan come spring. For many areas of the province, this took a while in coming in 2008. Much of Saskatchewan experienced well below average precipitation early in the spring, raising concerns about waterfowl breeding grounds as well as whether or not cattle producers would have enough pasture and feed stocks to get their herds through this summer. Coupled with the lack of rain, prolonged cool conditions delayed the emergence of grass and forage stands and pushed pasture turnout dates further into spring than normal. As a result, some cattle producers fed their herds for longer than anticipated and faced the possibility of a shortage of pasture and hay resources this summer. Brent Kennedy is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) manager of provincial operations for Saskatchewan and a cattleman himself.
“As a partner on the landscape, DUC recognizes the beef industry’s stewardship and contribution to waterfowl and other wildlife habitat,” says Kennedy. “At Ducks we have worked with the livestock industry for decades to support a healthy landscape that includes perennial cover and wetlands.” Each year, agriculture plays an important role in managing habitat lands owned by DUC. Periodic grazing or haying of these lands helps to keep them healthy and productive, which is vital to achieving one of their important purposes, providing critical habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. “We know we’re not going to solve the pasture and feed shortage,” says Kennedy, “but we are glad to help where we can.” DUC made close to 40,000 acres available for hay or grazing in Saskatchewan in 2008. It’s just one more way that that Ducks is working with producers across the province and demonstrating that sustainable agriculture practices and habitat conservation go hand in hand.
DUC's Saskatchewan manager of operations Brent Kennedy is also a cattleman who understands importance of healthy landscapes.
Boreal conservation partnership covers 1.8 million hectares in Saskatchewan
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How big is 1.8 million hectares? It’s more than four times the size of Prince Albert National Park in central Saskatchewan. It’s also the size of the Mistik Management Forest Management Area. This area is the focus of a partnership between the forest company and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). The five-year partnership between Mistik and DUC’s Western Boreal Program will focus on enhancing wetland and waterfowl conservation within the area the company manages. “Working with a forest company like Mistik is a proactive way to encourage wetland conservation in the boreal forest in Saskatchewan,” says Mark Kornder, conservation programs specialist for DUC. “This partnership speaks volumes of Mistik’s commitment to the importance of wetlands and the need to balance the needs of their business with the sustainability of the wetlands in their operational areas.” The agreement is the result of several years of working together. Some of the current projects include identifying key wetland habitats, and undertaking an assessment of areas identified as high conservation value to ensure they include important wetlands. Last year, DUC and Mistik signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement will lead to ensuring effective conservation of wetlands and waterfowl resources in the areas
where Mistik works. The company has received Forest Stewardship Council certification. The council is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Mistik Management is responsible for securing a sustainable wood supply for both a sawmill and pulp mill located in Meadow Lake, Sask.
(l-r) Chris Smith (DUC), Mark Kornder (DUC), Roger Nesdoly (Mistik) and Kevin Gillis (Mistik) at the Mistik and DUC patnership signing.
Map tracks Arkansas ducks to and from Canada's breeding grounds
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After several months and many miles, mallards banded in their wintering grounds in Arkansas are showing up in Saskatchewan. Since 2004, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has been conducting a research project to track mallards across their spring and fall migration routes. Now biologists and hunters alike can visit the AGFC’s “mallard map” website and view the movements of several mallards equipped with tracking devices. The tracking system records four locations a day and the website is updated every three days, allowing people to track individual waterfowl through their spring and fall migration. In addition, the map identifies patterns of migration and will hopefully help the AGFC to define habitat characteristics of principal spring staging areas, nesting areas and post-nesting areas of adult mallards migrating from Arkansas. An initial glance at the AGFC’s tracking map reinforces the importance of Saskatchewan as a breeding and staging area for mallards.
Using information from the mallard map in May 2008, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) staff in Saskatchewan were able to sight one of the radio-marked mallards in the Melfort area. When Gerry Letain, a conservation specialist out of DUC’s Melfort office, sighted the hen, he said, “Well, I found Mrs. Arkansas (76352).” “The latitude-longitude co-ordinate that I followed led me to a small wetland located off of the northeast portion of the larger wetland observed in the satellite photo. There were several species frequenting the small pothole including shovelers, blue-winged teal, gadwall, coots, staging snow geese, as well as this pair of mallards.” Letain, who delivers several of DUC’s on-theground conservation programs in the area, admits, “This was fun…the ultimate in geocaching.” Tracking mallards helps ensure the AGFC’s money is going to the right places. As you can see by the Aug. 6 image, Saskatchewan is it. To see the AGFC’s mallard tracking map, go to http://smt.cast.uark.edu/.
western region (prairie/boreal)
Popular education event wins Greenwing Award
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It’s been several years since the first Wings Over Wascana Nature Festival took flight, and now organizers of the annual festival are being recognized with a major award. The Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan, recently presented the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award to the Friends of Wascana Marsh for their efforts in developing the popular event and for their dedication to conservation and wetlands education in Regina and the surrounding area. “We are humbled and honoured to be selected for this award,” said Jan Kindred, who accepted the award on behalf of the Friends of Wascana Marsh. “The Wascana Centre is such a great place and we are grateful to be able to use its many wonders to help residents learn about waterfowl, nature and the value of wetlands.” She added, “Helping youth learn about the natural world is so important to environmental health for future generations.” Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), the LieutenantGovernor’s Greenwing Conservation Award recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated leadership in a project or activity that has contributed significantly to the public awareness of the values of wetland ecosystems and their benefits to waterfowl, wildlife and people. “Saskatchewan is home to vital wetlands habitat; it is crucial that we conserve this foundational aspect of our ecosystem,” said Lieutenant-Governor Barnhart. “Ducks Unlimited Canada has created a remarkable legacy over the past seven decades thanks to the outstanding contributions of visionary organizations like the Friends of Wascana Marsh.” Friends of Wascana Marsh work to conserve the unique habitat at the marsh and provide several events and activities to promote the area. “We all need to take responsibility for the care and protection of Saskatchewan’s, and Canada’s, wetlands,” said DUC chairman Peter Carton. “Organizations, together with the efforts and dedication of those like the Friends of Wascana Marsh, can be very effective. That’s why this award was established: to recognize the contributions of local stewards and conservationists across Canada.”
(l-r) DUC executive vice-president Jeff Nelson, The Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan, Jan Kindred of the Friends of Wascana Marsh, Peter Carton, chairman, DUC at award presentation ceremony.
New wetland website launches in Alberta
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This eye-catching, informative and interactive website encourages Albertans to conserve and protect wetlands. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Alberta Environment and the Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Partnership have come together to make a new Alberta wetlands website project a reality. Alberta is home to some amazing natural landscapes and now there is a new website for people who are looking for information about some of the unique areas. Work on www. WetlandsAlberta.ca began earlier this year and the official public launch happened in November. The website serves to increase public awareness and understanding of the importance of wetlands – in a way that is relevant and meaningful to all Albertans. The site’s well organized information is complemented with beautiful wetland images, and includes elements and features such as Visit a Wetland, the Alberta story – what’s going on to conserve our wetlands, local wetland education resources and opportunities, information on Alberta wetland legislation and policy, and interesting and relevant wetland quick facts. There are several reasons for launching the new site. Alberta has unique wetland types facing distinct economic and social pressures. Alberta’s wetland policies and legislation are also unique to the local situation. Until now, public information directly addressing the conditions and management of Alberta’s wetlands were housed with individual agencies and organizations. Several of the groups realized the information could be better co-ordinated and more easily accessible if it was stored in one package. Given the importance of wetlands to Alberta, and with the development of a new Alberta Wetlands Policy, it is an opportune time to deliver a wetlands information resource that is comprehensive, relevant and readily accessible by Albertans. Take some time to check out www.WetlandsAlberta.ca and discover all that wetlands have to offer.
Saskatchewan hosts international tour
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Representatives from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan look on as John Trevor of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) describes DUC’s conservation easement program near Saskatoon. NAWCC is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act – an act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1989 to aid in the conservation of wetland ecosystems continentally. The council is one of the single largest funding sources for wetland conservation projects in Canada and the U.S. The representatives were meeting in Saskatchewan to review proposals and get a first-hand view of waterfowl conservation delivery.
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 Pacific: 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, 2009 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Marketing/Communications Anh Hoang, Western Boreal Karli Reimer, Manitoba Lori Gasper, Saskatchewan Kristina Dembinski, Alberta
(780) 489-8110 (204) 467-3279 (306) 665-7356 (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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