November • 2023
globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.
ADVERTORIAL
Ducks Unlimited Canada’s MarshKeepers Protect Nature’s Treasures, One Wetland at a Time Weekend mornings are filled with relaxation and leisure for many, but for some extraordinary families and individuals in British Columbia, these days are dedicated to a greater purpose. Clad in green hats and work gloves, people with a passion for conservation volunteer to be MarshKeepers. Craig Little and Darin Brown are two such conservation champions. Little, a retired teacher administrator and avid outdoorsman, and Brown, a wildlife enthusiast with roots in the Maritimes, dedicate their time to Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) MarshKeepers program. Their commitment goes beyond altruism; a love for the environment motivates them to act. “If everybody does a little, it adds up to something significant,” said Little. WHO ARE THE MARSHKEEPERS? With limited field staff to oversee the hundreds of thousands of acres of wetlands and other natural habitats that DUC stewards across the province, the MarshKeepers
program enlists volunteers to lend their eyes and ears on the ground. They are “citizen scientists” who contribute valuable information that supports DUC’s conservation efforts. Armed with marsh-keeping kits, they document plant and animal sightings, report any damage to the land or wetlands, and clean up any litter they find. Vital information on the state of infrastructure, such as dams, signs, bridges, fences and more, is collected, and invasive species are reported when seen. Volunteers can enter their observations on an app on their smartphone, uploading the data in real-time. Brown sees the value in these efforts: “Science plays a huge role; you can’t manage what you don’t know. Information provided by MarshKeepers allows conservation experts to make critical decisions for managing these landscapes.” DUC’s MarshKeepers program took flight in British Columbia in 2011, with the first volunteer chapters beginning on Vancouver Island in Nanaimo, Oceanside,
MARSHKEEPER SURVEYING AREA © COURTESY OF DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA
and Comox. Over time, the program has expanded and now includes projects in northern B.C. and on Vancouver Island, encompassing 11 project areas with various wetland features and infrastructure in need of monitoring. BENEFITS BEYOND CONSERVATION The program benefits extend beyond conservation as well. As MarshKeepers spend time outside, they enjoy personal growth, relaxation, and the therapeutic benefits of nature. Their experiences expand their wetland knowledge as they discover new landscapes while serving as a champion for the
environment, preventing potential hazards and preserving the delicate balance of wetland ecosystems. “It’s a really good idea, which allows people to record their observations,” said Little. “This gives people a chance to get outdoors, contribute to conservation, and help DUC at the same time. I call that a win-win-win.”
active project sites, and develop data and communication processes to encourage MarshKeepers to support continuous program improvement. Recruiting and retaining volunteers remain vital to the program's success, and there are efforts to attract new volunteers of all ages. Brown is confident that the program will continue: “A lot of volunteers want to be on the ground making a difference, and there's an opportunity to do that in the MarshKeepers program. There’s a lot of interest and I’m sure it will spread.” The role of a MarshKeeper is crucial to accurately monitoring our precious wetlands, and the land welcomes all who are interested in contributing. If you find yourself longing for a meaningful weekend experience, consider becoming a MarshKeeper. Together, we can protect and enjoy the natural wonders that surround us.
MORE MARSHKEEPERS, MORE CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES DUC’s B.C. MarshKeepers Program has set ambitious goals. There are plans to introduce the program to Become a MarshKeeper by three new regions, enroll more vol- emailing volunteer@ducks.ca and unteers, expand monitoring to 20 mentioning the B.C. program.
Helping Those Who Need it Most: Sabrina Dhowre Elba’s Work With IFAD Canada is a founding member of IFAD and a top donor to the Somali-Canadian Sabrina Dhowre Fund and is strongly engaged Elba grew up on teachings focused in IFAD’s governance and the on giving back—especially to impact of its programmes. communities in Africa. With her mother’s teachings at the forefront of her mind, Dhowre “My mom grew up in a pastoral, rural community in Elba has long been an advocate Somalia,” Dhowre Elba told The for rural people in Africa, focusing Independent. “She always stressed strongly on rural women and girls. the importance of giving back She has travelled with IFAD to projects in Sierra Leone, Kenya, to Africa in some way, and what rural land and agriculture mean to Zambia and Egypt to highlight rural people.” the importance of farmers in the global food system. In addition These teachings are what led to IFAD, she works with various her and her husband, British organizations, including Farm actor Idris Elba, to join the International Fund for Agricultural Africa, Conservation International Development (IFAD) as Goodwill and sits on the European board for Global Citizen. Ambassadors in 2020. “The effects of climate change IFAD is an international financial institution and a United in rural areas around the world are devastating,” Dhowre Elba said Nations specialized agency that during a COP27 panel. “While invests in rural people, empowit is technically at the doorstep ering them to increase their food security, improve the nutrition of of everything—we’ve seen the drought in Europe, we’ve seen the their families, and increase their heat waves in America, but rural incomes. Since 1978, they have people are suffering most when provided $23.2 billion USD in they’re looking every day for what grants and low-interest loans. ALLIE MURRAY
to eat and how to get by. I mean, it’s literally adapt or starve.” Similarly, amid the pandemic and tensions in Europe, rural communities in Africa have been hit the hardest—an issue that Dhowre Elba points out in her work. “These farmers are probably the least contributors to the climate change problem but are yet being affected the most,” Dhowre Elba told BBC. The war in Ukraine has caused growing issues with food insecurity worldwide, particularly in African countries. Still recovering from the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and continual impacts of climate change, the food crisis in these countries continues to build. Africa relies heavily on imports from both countries, and more than a year after the invasion, wheat, sunflower, and oil prices have soared to unprecedented levels. “There is a method, there are steps,” Dhowre Elba explained. “It isn’t just throw your hands in the air and go ‘the world is on fire’. There are solutions and it’s figuring
out what those solutions are and how we can each play a part because we do know that every person can make a difference.” In 2021, when IFAD launched their 12th Replenishment, Dhowre Elba made the call to countries to invest in farmers. The campaign proved successful, with more than 80 countries pledging to support the initiative. Following that success, IFAD launched its 13th Replenishment in February 2023, calling for increased investments in small-scale farmers across
developing countries. In September, Dhowre Elba attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York and will advocate during a Paris meeting in December hosted by President Macron to ensure heads of states and policy funders increase pledges to the campaign. Dhowre Elba has helped to make a big difference for farmers, but her work has only just begun—and she’s leading the charge on driving positive change for rural communities.
SABRINA ELBA VISIT MABOIKANDOH, SIERRA LEONE © RODNEY QUARCOO 2019
ADVERTORIAL
The Power of Understanding: Knowledge That Makes a Difference Did you know that up to 20 per cent of the global population is neurodivergent? Among them, 2.2 per cent are part of the vibrant and diverse autism community. Every autistic person possesses a beautifully complex and unique brain, meaning that autism is different for every individual. Despite the diversity of the autism community, many autistic individuals are encouraged to change themselves to fit into a world designed for those without neurodivergent experiences. This not only negatively affects their mental and physical well-being but also denies the world the opportunity to embrace their authentic selves. ACT - Autism Community Training is Canada’s leading provider of free online, community-level autism training for caregivers and professionals. ACT held its first conference in May 2003 as a community response to the need throughout British Columbia for evidence-informed specialized training opportunities. ACT's live training events offer opportunities to learn how to support autistic people at home, school, work, and in the community. The goal is to
researchers and clinicians, including those with lived experience, committed to sharing the latest in research and clinical experience. With over 80 video series on a wide range of topics, including toilet training, sleep, mental health, positive behaviour support, Individual Education Plans, research, and much more, we leave no stone unturned and no family behind. © COURTESY OF ACT
empower communities with knowl- is everywhere—sometimes overedge that enables autistic people to whelmingly. When a simple live productive, satisfying lives. Google search yields millions of results for "autism," finding cred“ACT has played a major role in ible sources can be challenging. the way I have been able to care ACT is your trusted partner for and help my son as he changes in providing evidence-informed and the world of ASD changes. It training, cutting-edge research, and is difficult to get support when you a vast array of practical resources to need it if you don't have timely support neurodivergent individuals. access to it.” ACT's information portal houses —ACT training attendee over 3,000 resources, including the Autism & Intellectual Disability Two decades ago, reliable (AID) Search, an incredible tool information and training for that empowers individuals and families was painfully scarce. families to thrive. Today, the landscape has been ACT’s training events and transformed and ‘information’ videos are presented by respected
“To me, it is very important that ACT promotes resources that are evidence-based and can be trusted. This enables families and support workers to access quality, valid information that is free and available online anytime, regardless of their geographic location.” —Anne McCaw, Donor, Member, Parent
from the autistic community and their family members as well as allies, and share the most effective ways to help autistic people thrive through not just personal interventions, but societal changes as well. ACT welcomes everyone and is committed to ensuring equitable access for all events, providing Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning as well as ASL interpretation whenever possible. ACT also provides access to resources in Chinese, Punjabi and other languages. Bursaries are available where event registration cost is a barrier. Full bursaries are available for Indigenous people/ peoples who work at organizations that support Indigenous people. “Supporting others by sharing knowledge becomes way more accessible when it’s free….[ACT’s] generosity and thoughtfulness will have an impact on the lives of those who need it most.” —ACT training attendee
ACT strives to raise awareness, extend a helping hand, and break the barriers to care and understanding. Our work makes an enduring positive impact, reverberating through the lives of auVisit actcommunity.ca or call tistic children, youth, adults, and 604-205-5467 now to join our their families, and will continue community and access knowledge evolving as we listen to and learn that makes a difference.
ACT - Autism Community Training Visit actcommunity.ca or call 604-205-5467 Join our community and access knowledge that makes a difference.
