Quebec/ eastern region ( Atlantic )
Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland and Labrador
volume 32, number 1, 2011
Lieutenant-Governor honours Nova Scotia conservation group
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On Oct. 21, 2010, at Government House, the Honourable Mayann E. Francis, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, presented the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award to the Friends of the Cornwallis River Society for its contribution to wetland conservation. Grenville Jones, director for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), told guests at the ceremony that the group was recognized for its dedication and commitment to the restoration and protection of the aquatic habitats of the Cornwallis River watershed, and the development of a fisheries management plan for the river. This award also recognized the group’s initiatives in volunteer water quality monitoring, promotion of awareness of fish and fish habitat within local elementary schools, and many partnerships formed with government and non-government organizations on projects pertaining to the construction of wetlands and riparian re-establishment, fencing and leasing. Upon accepting the award, Dr. Peter Bagnell, executive director for Friends of the Cornwallis River Society, said, “Our strength has been the many community partners that work together to create projects like Miner’s Marsh in Kentville. It is an honour to be recognized for the tireless voluntary hours by Ducks Unlimited Canada. “Creating environmental stewardship in our youth has been the most rewarding aspect of our efforts,” added Bagnell. “We have many schools in Kings County growing and learning about Left to right: Hugh Fairn (DUC director emeritus), Grenville Jones (DUC senior provincial director, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador), the Honourable Mayann E. Francis, Dr. Peter Bagnell (Friends of the Cornwallis River Society), Dr. Donald Burry (DUC director, Nova Scotia).
trout and salmon through the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s Fish Friends Program. We have had more than 50 class trips that travel to and learn about wetlands and their diverse nature community through DUC’s Project Webfoot. There are many volunteers to thank from Acadia University, the Municipality of Kings County, the Towns of Wolfville, Kentville and Berwick, government departments, our MLAs and specifically our MP Scott Brison.” The Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Award is sponsored by DUC and recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated leadership in a project or activity that has contributed to public awareness of wetland conservation, or individuals and groups demonstrating outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation. The winner is chosen from a field of nominees by an independent selection committee. S
Restoration of wildlife habitats in the Centre-du-Quebec region
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Ducks Unlimited Canada has contributed to the restoration of two wildlife habitats covering a total area of 386 hectares in Centre-du-Quebec. Various species of fish, as well as the waterfowl that frequent the Commune du Baie-du-Febvre and the sector of Baie-du-Febvre–Nicolet Sud, segment 8, now find the environment favourable for spawning, feeding and breeding. Restoration work carried out at the Commune de Baie-du-Febvre will encourage greater biodiversity and extend wildlife use of the habitat, while improving fish habitat. All this was made possible by the installation of new water regulation works, reshaping of the gullies, improvement of the nesting cover for birds and the spawning and rearing habitat for fish, as well as four new fish pathways. A new permanent marsh will benefit waterfowl during migration and nesting periods. The site of Baie-du-Febvre–Nicolet Sud, segment 8 was composed primarily of abandoned grassland. The project’s purpose was to provide an optimal environment for fish, waterfowl, other nesting birds and amphibians and reptiles. S
DUC Welcomes new staff members to Newfoundland and Labrador
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Atlantic Canada is very excited to announce the hiring of two new staff members in Newfoundland and Labrador. Danielle Fequet is DUC’s new conservation program specialist for the province, and is based in Corner Brook. She will be working in conjunction with other staff in the Atlantic region to maintain ongoing conservation projects and implement new projects. This involves inspection of nest shelters placed on islands along the coast as part of the Eider Duck Initiative as well as working with partner organizations to promote stewardship and develop long-term habitat conservation plans for Newfoundland and Labrador. Danielle is originally from Goose Bay, Labrador, and moved to St. John’s to attend Memorial University. There she obtained a B.Sc. degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology and recently completed the course and thesis requirements for an M.Sc. degree in Environmental Science. She is also completing an environmental practitioner certificate from Royal Roads University and ECO Canada. Danielle loves the great outdoors and enjoys being active. Paul Wood is DUC’s new fundraising manager for Newfoundland and Labrador. Paul will be working out of his home office in Grand Falls-Windsor. Paul grew up in the northeast coastal community of Lewisporte and has been involved in conservation, hunting and fishing issues over many years through his involvement with the Notre Dame Rod and Gun Club and his background in marine biology. He loves the outdoors and its many pursuits which he enjoys with his family and his two dogs, a black Lab and a golden retriever. His daughter spent a week at DUC’s Oak Hammock Marsh years ago through the Greenwing program and his two sons are both hunters and fishers. Last year Paul organized the first Newfoundland and Labrador DUC-sponsored Waterfowl Heritage Day at the Notre Dame Rod and Gun Club, which was a tremendous success and is now an annual event for youth. His enthusiasm for the outdoors, conservation and the value of wetlands will make him a welcome addition to the DUC team. S
e a s t e r n r e g i o n ( q u e b e c / at l a n t i c )
Better integration of wetlands in Montreal's land use planning process
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The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) is the second-most populated region of Canada, and everything points to further population expansion in the next few years. The area’s wetlands are suffering considerably as a result; so much so that 70 to 90 per cent of wetlands in Canada’s urban zones have disappeared. It is urgently necessary to develop wetland data and mapping tools for better land use planning to take these precious environments into account. In fact, more than being simply a living space for exceptional biodiversity, wetlands provide essential ecological goods and services by filtering water, mitigating flood frequency and volume, decreasing erosion, and resupplying the water table. All of this free of charge! Consequently, the degradation and loss of such spaces and the goods and services they provide inevitably incur economic costs. In this case, the preservation and restoration of the wetlands in strategic areas are likely to solve some of these issues. Moreover, this initiative is a logical and effective choice on both the economic and environmental fronts, building towards a truly sustainable urban landscape. In order to provide all land use planners and stakeholders a common knowledge base about the location and extent of wetlands, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP),along with other collaborators, has completed a detailed wetland inventory and mapping project for the CMM. Using cuttingedge technology based on three-dimensional photo interpretation of high-resolution digital imagery dating from 2007, the inventory process led to the development of the most accurate and current database for this area. Using validation by flight reconnaissance and field campaigns, the data provides a high level of accuracy and reliability for wetlands greater than 0.3 hectare. By the end of this exercise, it became possible to determine the presence, boundaries, class and state of 11,250 wetlands. The area
covered by these wetlands totals 20,971 hectares (including fluvial wetlands), encompassing 4.7 per cent of the CMM territory. The size of CMM wetlands is relatively small, averaging 1.9 hectares, while 70 per cent of them cover less than a hectare. Moreover, nearly 80 per cent of recorded wetlands show signs of disturbance, highlighting the importance of protecting the wetlands that are still intact and compensating for potential losses through an effective restoration process. To facilitate the usage and accessibility of the wetland inventory data, DUC has developed a series of mapping tools available online at www.canardsquebec.ca/outils/cartographie/CMM.html. Among these tools is an atlas, an interactive web map displaying the wetlands and their characteristics, and access to a data service for geomatic purposes. This online application allows users to consult all the available wetland data within their own GIS (geographic information system). CMM detailed wetlands inventory and mapping project is a great starting point for the protection and restoration of wetlands. Land planning decision-makers and professionals currently working on the elaboration of the Plan métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement (PMAD) now have access to a standardized, authoritative bank of information. From now on, they will be better equipped to take into account the presence of wetlands when they consider the future of their territory. With the help of these new tools, urban planners will remain aware of issues regarding the preservation of wetlands before starting development, thus avoiding conflicting uses and continued loss of these important habitats. Municipal key players who have authority over environmental matters can contribute significantly to the wetland conservation effort by integrating wetlands into regulations and land use planning. Accordingly, DUC has implemented municipal extension programto help support decision-makers in their initiatives. S
Summer jobs for future conservation leaders
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As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, the long, balmy days of summer seem but a distant memory. Students, now caught up with midterms and papers, look back wistfully at a summer that consisted simply of fun times with friends. Other students put in long hours working at retail stores, fast-food outlets or movie theatres. Some students, however, did something a little different – something that could bring positive outcomes for not just themselves, but for our entire planet. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Atlantic Canada has a proud history of offering summer work opportunities to students from across the region. These students do research work out in the field, studying wetland biodiversity. They work as nature interpreters in our interpretive centres. They travel the region doing maintenance on water control structures and making inspections. And throughout all of this, their eyes are opened to the importance of wetlands and their many beneficial effects. Wetlands are the world’s most diverse ecosystem and provide a long list of benefits to wildlife, humans and the planet. These wetlands are a crucial part of our environment, but they are also under serious threat: up to 70 per cent of Canada’s wetlands have disappeared in settled parts of the country. A major factor in protecting wetlands is education. If children are taught early and often about the value of wetlands and the importance of conserving them, it greatly improves the chances that wetlands will be respected and conserved by society in the coming generations. In Grade 4, Sara Thomas took part in DUC’s Project Webfoot program, which introduces schoolchildren to the value of wetlands. She later volunteered as a “Wethead” student educator for three years at the Tantramar Wetlands Centre in Sackville. “I definitely had a great time learning and teaching about wetlands,” she says. “It was great to be able to learn so much about an ecosystem that is so important to our environment. Not only did I have lots of fun but I learned so much more than I would have without the program.” Now a student at Acadia University, Sara recently completed a co-op summer work term with DUC in Amherst. Sara worked as a researcher, doing waterfowl surveys, vegetation sampling and invertebrate monitoring. From learning about wetlands, to teaching other students about wetlands, and then getting out in the field and doing crucial wetlands research, Sara is a perfect example of the value of wetlands education and how it can foster tomorrow’s leaders of conservation. DUC’s process for hiring summer students starts with funding proposals that are sent out in late winter. Once the funding is secured, advertisements are placed on university websites, job banks and other career resources. Student positions traditionally run from 10 weeks up to 16 weeks. It is not unusual for former summer students to go on to careers in conservation and environmental fields. Matthew Rose is one such student who is on track to become a conservation leader. This past summer, the Grade 9 student completed an internship at the Tantramar Wetlands Centre. Working as an interpreter/caretaker, his responsibilities included the delivery of experiential wetlands education programs to individual visitors and groups to the centre during the summer. He also collected data on waterfowl, broods, water quality, and the effect of Galerucella beetles on purple loosestrife, and then shared this information with the visiting general public. “Starting off last school year, the first thing I wanted to do was sign up with the Wetlands Centre because I love being outdoors,” explains Matthew. “I knew it would be a great experience but after completing the job I realized how important wetlands education is. If it wasn’t for places like the Wetlands Centre some people would never understand how important wetlands and wildlife are for the environment. Having this summer job has made me strongly consider that this may be my focus after I complete high school.” S
quebec/ eastern Region ( atlantic )
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: Krista Elliott Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Joanne Barbazza Western Region British Columbia: Wendy Thatcher Flyway production staff Editor: Duncan Morrison Assistant: Deb Menard Manager Creative Services: Lindsay Pikta-Marie Graphic Designers: Christa Edwards, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe © Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2011 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres
Area Contacts Manager of Provincial Operations, Atlantic Tom Duffy (866) 903-8257 ext.234 Manager of Provincial Operations, Québec Bernard Filion (800) 565-1650 ext.15 Fundraising Québec Jocelyn Landry
(877) 551-5757
New Brunswick Duska Frink
(888) 920-3330
Nova Scotia James Young
(888) 557-5554
Newfoundland and Labrador Steve Stinkowji (705) 544-8437 Paul Wood (705) 544-8437
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