Flyways-Pacific-32-3

British western region ( columbia )

volume 32, number 3, 2011

Wetlands get funding infusion from the HCTF

D

Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) wetlands rebuild program kicked into high gear this summer thanks to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s (HCTF) continuing investment in B.C. wildlife habitat. DUC is restoring six B.C. wetlands and completing preliminary work for eight high-priority conservation projects with $250,000 received from the HCTF. “The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation works with a wide range of community partners to invest in important conservation projects across British Columbia,” says Dr. Winifred Kessler, chair of the HCTF board. “We have been working with Ducks Unlimited since 1981 to complete dozens of projects restoring and enhancing critical wetland habitats, which are so important to sustaining vibrant fish and wildlife populations. This year’s projects are yet another expression of our joint commitment to conservation in B.C.” Many of DUC’s water control structures were built 25 to 30 years ago either to restore water levels in previously drained wetlands or to enhance habitat in existing wetlands. When functioning properly, these water control structures mimic natural hydrology and serve to improve the quality and amount of habitat available for waterfowl and other wildlife. Regular maintenance kept this infrastructure functional for decades. Now the aging structures are beginning to show signs of failure and the wetland habitats they sustain are at risk of degradation and loss.

The funding from the HCTF enables DUC to replace the water control structures at projects in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region and on Vancouver Island – two high-priority areas for waterfowl in the

province. Construction crews will work at Echo Valley Farm (Vancouver Island), Chilanko Marsh (Chilcotin), Elkhorn and Rough lakes (Cariboo), Robertson Lake (Chilcotin) and the Smith Property (Chilcotin). The newly installed controls are expected to sustain these productive wetland ecosystems for at least 30 more years.

In addition, funding will be directed to complete the design and pre-construction phase of eight additional wetland projects through the preparation of restoration plans and other pre-construction activities.

“Altogether, the funding will support construction on 400 hectares of high-quality waterfowl and wildlife habitat and help us prepare to have eight shovel-ready projects for the future,” says Brad Arner, B.C.’s manager of conservation programs for DUC. “As well, strong relationships with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have provided additional funding,” Arner notes. “Every HCTF dollar is matched at least threefold, providing the financial resources we need to complete our million dollar rebuild and construction program this year.”

In total, the HCTF invested more than $6 million this year to sustain B.C.’s natural heritage. The HCTF receives 90 per cent of its revenue from surcharges on angling, hunting, guide outfitting and trapping licences. Outdoorsmen and women across B.C. continue to be champions for conservation, habitat restoration and biological diversity and DUC is privileged to be a recipient of their support. Since 2003, DUC has received more than $1.6 million in funding from the HCTF for ongoing project operations, maintenance and management costs. S

Leading the way in wetland trend research

D

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has joined forces with Environment Canada to find out whether the conservation community as a whole is making a measurable impact on B.C.’s wetlands through their efforts, explains Brad Arner, manager of conservation programs.

Together, they have embarked on an exciting and innovative trend analysis project to study and document wetlands and the effectiveness of conservation programs into the future. “Our research will be vital to understanding how wetlands have changed and how we can track future change,” says Bruce Harrison, regional biologist for the B.C. Intermountain.

“We will know what type of wetlands are most vulnerable, whether they are permanent or temporary, and where those wetlands are located,” says Arner. “Once we know that, we can direct our conservation efforts and techniques to those most threatened.” The project will also allow conservation efforts to be tracked into the future to see if they are making a difference.

The first step in initiating the research was determining what information could be gathered on occurrence or quantity of wetlands on the landscape and what technology is best suited to examine ongoing and future change.

Harrison explains that researchers will use the information already on hand throughout the province and add new information gathered through satellite images. Satellite imagery provides the best option for tracking wetland change on a broad scale because it allows researchers to cost-effectively measure the size and shape of wetlands over time to see how they are changing.

“We have done our homework and now we are going to put our knowledge to the test and try a pilot project,” says Harrison.

Several pilot projects are being evaluated to move the research to the next stage, and DUC is now looking to develop research partnerships that capitalize on each partner’s strengths to begin this phase.

The wetland trend analysis project complements another research program being undertaken by the University of British Columbia, Canadian Wildlife Service and DUC on climate change modelling.

“The B.C. climate change modelling project is making predictions about how climate change will impact wetlands in the future, and the wetland trend analysis project will help test and evaluate those predictions,” says Harrison. Research on the climate change modelling work began in 2008. S

western region (british columbia)

Ian Barnett and his family celebrate his career at Ducks Unlimited Canada during a conservation project dedication at Long Lake Marshes near Kamloops.

Dedicated efforts lead to international recognition of critical Canadian waterfowl habitat

E

Earlier this year, Ian Barnett retired from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) following a career that spanned 31 years of working diligently to promote waterfowl and wetland conservation across North America. During his time with DUC, Barnett held numerous positions across the organization, gaining experience in both conservation and fundraising before assuming a role in senior management. He retired from his position as director of regional operations for B.C. and the western boreal program in January 2011.

Barnett demonstrated tremendous leadership for DUC and for the international North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) partners throughout his career. His leadership skills allowed complex international partnerships to function seamlessly, especially at the joint venture, national and international levels. Les Bogdan, B.C.’s manager of provincial operations, says, “Barnett’s persistent and yet diplomatic style of management was recognized as putting DUC on the international scene for conservation.”

Barnett played a key role in forging a high profile for the Western Boreal Forest Initiative (WBFI) within the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture and was instrumental in seeing the establishment of the Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture (CIJV). “We showed substantive rationale for including the Intermountain region in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan,” says Barnett.

His efforts catapulted CIJV critical breeding areas onto the international scene. As a result, the CIJV was endorsed as an official joint venture entity in 2004.

Due in part to his hard work, the CIJV and the WBFI are now considered significant contributors to the sustainability of North American waterfowl populations.

A celebration of Barnett’s accomplishments was held in April 2011 with the dedication of Long Lake Marshes outside of Kamloops. S

Passion for wetlands propels young DUC volunteer

J

Jessica Coburn began volunteering with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) less than a year ago because she was eager to get some volunteer experience on her resumé.

She has discovered that volunteering with DUC is about something bigger – it’s about the future of wetlands, not just in her community and across Canada, but across the continent. For an outdoor enthusiast like Coburn who enjoys hiking, snowshoeing and ocean fishing, this kind of impact is very important.

Coburn is a stay-at-home mother who had been attending DUC fundraising events in Prince George for three years before she became a volunteer. She is now an active member of the DUC Prince George fundraising committee and devotes time to soliciting community donations for the event’s live and silent auctions. At 22, she is the youngest member of the committee. She has brought her enthusiasm, new ideas and new contacts to the table for the event. Through her dedication, Coburn is securing a bright future in conservation.

“I like to spread the message about the work of DUC,” says Coburn. “It’s about conserving wetlands which are home to waterfowl but also so many other species of wildlife. It is so important that we work to keep them here.”

“Jessica is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a lot of confidence and energy,” says Ken Ferris, DUC fundraising manager in British Columbia. “Although she is one of our newest and youngest volunteers, she fits in very well and has already made a great contribution. Younger volunteers like Jessica bring a new perspective and a renewed exuberance to our fundraising efforts.”

Jessica was recognized by DUC as a rising young volunteer during National Volunteer Week in April. “National Volunteer Week is our chance to honour our nearly 7,000 volunteers across Canada, and in particular, our young volunteers who are introducing a whole new generation to DUC,” says Loraine Nyokong, DUC national director of fundraising and membership. “Volunteers like Jessica are the rising stars of our organization. The fact that they recognize the importance of wetland conservation and are spreading the word is fantastic, not only for DUC, but for all Canadians.”

“The work that we do to help out DUC is rewarding and inspiring,” says Coburn. “It is not just about today, it is about further down the road – for our children’s children.”

With the support of volunteers like Coburn, DUC recently completed its Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign – the largest conservation fundraising campaign ever undertaken in North America.

Working alongside Ducks Unlimited, Inc. in the United States and Ducks Unlimited Mexico, DUC contributed to waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation, water quality and recreational and learning opportunities for people of all ages.

DUC could have not achieved these conservation goals without the generous support of its volunteers and supporters. Coburn and other conservation-minded individuals like her from across Canada will continue to be the driving force behind ongoing efforts to stop wetland loss. S

British western region ( columbia )

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 Alberta: Anh Hoang Saskatchewan: Lori Gasper Manitoba: Karli Reimer Flyway production staff Communications and Marketing Director: Sandy Gousseau Assistant: Debbie 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 and Development Manager Les Bogdan, Surrey (604) 592-5000 Manager of Conservation Programs Brad Arner, Kamloops (250) 374-8307 Marketing and Communications Wendy Thatcher, Surrey (604) 592-5004 Fundraising Keith Macintosh

(306) 665-7155

publication agreement #40064849