western Region prairies
Politicians agree: an effective policy is needed In May, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) staff in Saskatchewan met with 34 members of their provincial legislative assembly. DUC also connected with several partners, including the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds, the Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association, and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. Conversations were encouraging, as all parties expressed concern about wetland drainage and the need for an effective wetland policy for Saskatchewan.
Clockwise from top left: Shane Hnidy, TSN 1290; Ryan Downey, RBC Dominion Securities Inc.; Alfred Schleier, PCL Constructors Canada Inc.; Kevin McFadden, Sigurdson McFadden & Associates, Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets, Zach Bogosian, Winnipeg Jets.
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Conservator | summer 2012
(not surprising since everyone is Jets crazy in Manitoba these days). Since its inception in 1996, the Minister’s Dinner has raised over $1.62 million to support the many wetland education programs offered at OHMIC. Each year, tens of thousands of visitors and students from around the world enjoy OHMIC’s interactive exhibits, multimedia theatre presentations and award-winning hands-on interpretive programs. A highlight of the evening is always the announcement of the Corporations for Conservation awards. This year that honour was bestowed on Power Corporation of Canada and Talisman Energy. Next year, OHMIC celebrates its 20th anniversary. If you haven’t attended a Minister’s Dinner yet, 2013 is your chance to go. Take part in a milestone year while helping raise funds to continue wetlands education programs in Manitoba. And who knows… you might run into a pro hockey player or two! Sign up for Oak Hammock Marsh’s e-newsletter at oakhammockmarsh.ca
left: ©Isabel Wolinsky
What do you get when you put together a group of Manitoba’s corporate and community leaders, two Winnipeg Jets, one 2011 Stanley Cup-winning sports announcer and countless enticing auction items? Over $153,000 netted for the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre’s (OHMIC) wetland education programs. In February over 200 guests including patron of the event, Conservation Minister Gord McIntosh, attended the 16th annual Minister’s Dinner at the St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg. A volunteer committee staged the event and leading corporate sponsors were recognized and included Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, Legacy Bowes Group and Johnson Waste Management. The event attracted a collection of returning attendees and first-time guests, including current Winnipeg Jets hockey players Zach Bogosian and Dustin Byfuglien, and TSN 1290 announcer Shane Hnidy (sporting a GIANT Stanley Cup ring from his 2011 win with the Boston Bruins). All three NHLers are avid outdoor enthusiasts and support wetland conservation. Their presence added to an already exciting evening
above: ©DUC/Tom Jordens
Jets defense puts fundraising on the offensive
Qualico first in a series of revolving conservation projects Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) Revolving Land Purchase (RLP) program continues to attract support from major gift donors. The concept is highly appealing because the donor’s funds are used again and again to conserve wetland habitat. Qualico recently upgraded their support to the RLP program in Manitoba. This innovative program is unique to DUC in Canada. There are three steps in the program: b Parcels of critical waterfowl habitat are purchased with Qualico donations. Drained wetlands are restored and grasslands are rejuvenated to provide improved waterfowl habitat.
below: ©DUC
c The newly restored and existing habitat is protected by DUC through the placement of a conservation easement. At an opportune time, the land is sold for sustainable use. The registered conservation easement runs with the land regardless of future ownership, protecting the habitat forever. d The proceeds of the sale are used to purchase another parcel and the process repeats itself again and again (thus the term ‘revolving’).
“The appeal of this program for our organization was the idea of revolving conservation that adds up. Our investment keeps on giving and with this approach, the cycle of restoration and conservation accumulates across the landscape, creating a lasting legacy,” says Brian Hastings, Qualico chief operating officer. As DUC learns more about the ecological goods and services wetland restoration and conservation provides, they are better able to quantify not only the benefits to waterfowl, but also to society. Each protected parcel adds to Manitoba’s natural capital.
“The appeal of this program for our organization was the idea of revolving conser vation that adds up. Our investment keeps on giving and with this approach, the cycle of restoration and conservation accumulates across the landscape, creating a lasting legacy.” – Brian Hastings, Chief operating officer, Qualico
The relationships I’ve built with staff and other volunteers make volunteering for DUC more than satisfying. Wetlands are being lost, and it’s our obligation to do whatever we can to maintain and preserve them. As a DUC volunteer, I help protect our environment for the better. ALANA GIBSON, DUC volunteer, Didsbury, AB
Busy mom
Business owner
Wetland warrior
DUC volunteers come from all walks of life. Each of our 6,600 volunteers across Canada has their own reason for supporting wetland conservation.
Become a DUC volunteer
1-866-384-DUCK (3825)
ducks.ca/volunteer
right: ©DUC
background: ©DUC/Ian McCausland
Wetlands part of rancher’s environmental sustainability DUC contributed 58 properties totalling 8,507 acres The Government of Manitoba was awarded the national 2012 Gold Leaf Award from the Canadian Council on Eco- of DUC-secured land in the southwest prairie parkland to Manitoba’s network of protected areas. These areas logical Areas to recognize their conservation efforts provide habitat for ducks, as well as a long list of other targeted at private land in southern Manitoba. The award ecological benefits and remain open to hunting and foot acknowledges the government on their leadership in traffic. DUC manages these properties through grazing, protecting private lands through the Protected Areas haying and weed control. Initiative program, including land In addition to DUC, land owned by Ducks Unlimited “Our lands that are part owned by Nature Conservancy Canada (DUC). of the Protected Areas Canada and Nature Manitoba “DUC is pleased to work with network are there for were also enrolled into the the Manitoba government on the benefit of waterfowl, network of protected areas. the Protected Areas Initiative other wildlife and program across Manitoba,” says people, and it’s great Bob Grant, DUC manager of proto have that recognized vincial operations in Manitoba. through this award.” “Our lands that are part of the Protected Areas network are – Bob Grant, DUC manager of provincial operations (Manitoba) there for the benefit of waterfowl, other wildlife and people, and it’s great to have that recognized through this award.” A total of 25,204 acres of private lands are enrolled as part of the province’s protected areas network. These ecologically significant habitats are vital to maintaining biodiversity in developed parts of Manitoba, and help ensure a balanced approach of protection and sustainable management within these areas.
western Region prairies