Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary

The John E. Poole Wetland and boardwalk looking towards the Enjoy Centre.

Ducks Unlimited Canada - Part of our Community

D

ucks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is one of Canada’s conservation leaders. Last year alone, DUC invested $85 million in wetland conservation activities across Canada, delivering effective and tangible environmental benefits to Canadians.

With spirit and determination, 75 years ago, DUC’s founders began mapping the wetland conservation journey that continues today. Special thanks to the support of thousands of passionate Albertan’s who share this conservation spirit, DUC is reaching many important environmental milestones.

Scientific discoveries – DUC’s team of experts is finding answers to important environmental questions. Water filtration, flood and drought mitigation, as well as carbon storage are all valuable environmental benefits that wetlands provide to society.

Education inroads – DUC is growing the next generation of conservation leaders by introducing students to the wonders of wetlands. Encouraging kids to get their hands dirty and feet wet is instilling an interest and passion for conservation in their lives.

Policy advancements – The importance of wetland conservation is being emphasized with all levels of government. DUC is working with political officials and key decision makers to develop effective policies that will protect and conserve wetlands now and in the future.

On-the-ground successes – By focusing conservation efforts in areas with the greatest priority for waterfowl conservation, DUC is making a real, tangible difference on the landscape.

DUC conservation projects are spread out from coast, to coast, to coast.

Wetland conservation and the ecological benefits that restored wetlands provide can play a key role in providing the solution to many of our environmental challenges we are facing today and DUC is determined to continue to be a part of the future of wetlands in Canada.

DUC has two wetland conservation projects in the Edmonton area that are easily accessible and bring visitors within close reach of the wonder of wetlands.

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John E. Poole Wetland

DUC recently completed the John E. Poole Wetland in honour of the late John Poole. Edmonton and surrounding communities are very familiar with the legacy of John and Barbara Poole. It is their love of education and community that helped inspire DUC, the Poole family and PCL Constructors Inc to conserve the marsh on the east shore of Big Lake. Now an extensive “outdoor classroom,” the project includes trails, a boardwalk, and interpretive signage to educate visitors about wetland ecosystems, waterfowl, and other wildlife that frequent the site.

“John gave back to the community what it had given to him.

This conservation effort is a lasting tribute to a man who loved life and the environment. This legacy is not so much about John, it’s a legacy that we can all contribute to, so that we can share with others the beauty around us for a very long time,” says Barbara Poole The John E. Poole Wetland, east of Ray Gibbon Drive, between Edmonton and St. Albert, is located within the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, forms part of the Big Lake shoreline, and is connected to the City of St. Albert’s Red Willow nature trail system. Big Lake is globally recognized as an Important Bird Area by and provides critical habitat for thousands of nesting and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

EPCOR is the latest donor to the John E. Poole wetland joining a significant group of contributors to DUC supporting this important urban wetland and DUC’s education and conservation programs in the province. The boardwalk was officially opened by the late Barbara Poole during a ceremony in June of 2012. Beaverbrook Developments, Government of Alberta – Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Shell Canada and more than 50 other donors have been instrumental in creating the John E. Poole Wetland.

Edmonton and area residents and kids of all ages are encouraged to visit the wetland and walk the new boardwalk – a tribute to John E. Poole’s love of the outdoors, conservation ethic, and support of youth education.

Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary

Located 33 kilometres southwest of Edmonton near the Devonian Botanical Gardens on Highway 60, the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary protects 348 acres of marshland, open meadow, aspen parkland and pine forest. The varied habitats of the Sanctuary attract a diversity of animals, including more than one hundred bird species. There are excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. DUC has owned the land since 2007 with management and care of the area done by a team of committed and passionate Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary volunteers.

One of the many wetlands at the Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch south of Calgary.

The Sanctuary has over two kilometres of boardwalk and connected upland trails that are easily navigated by all skill levels. The sanctuary is a great place to spend the day or a few hours amid the songbirds, wildflowers and other wildlife. The Sanctuary is open to the public year round and is free of charge.

Ducks Unlimited Canada’s 75th Anniversary Wetland Conservation Project

In addition to the John E. Poole Wetland and Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary and over 1,800 other wetland conservation projects across Alberta, on September 4, 2013, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), along with Shell Canada, celebrated the launch of the Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch.

This is DUC’s largest and most ecologically important acquisition to date, which builds on a strong 75-year legacy of delivering important habitat projects in areas that provide the greatest benefit to North American waterfowl.

Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch includes 4,130 acres of pristine, native grasslands, as well as an additional 1,769 acres of tame hay lands. In total, this area represents nearly 6,000 acres for breeding, migration and wintering of 159 bird species that use both native prairie and the boreal forest of Alberta.

Recognizing the positive impact of this acquisition, Shell Canada has generously agreed to contribute $3 million towards the purchase with the balance coming from DUC and the NAWCA partnership.

“The Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch is an outstanding and rare example of intact habitat only one hour southeast of Calgary,” says DUC President, Mac Dunfield. “This makes it not only an example of wetland conservation, but easily accessible for the public to enjoy. It will serve as an excellent property

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to demonstrate how DUC’s work to conserve critical waterfowl habitat also provides many other societal benefits including carbon storage, improved water quality, as well as mitigating impacts of floods and drought.”

Thanks to DUC’s strong conservation spirit, and Shell’s great collaboration and teamwork, this critical piece of habitat is forever protected. The Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch will truly become a legacy of the important work DUC does for wetlands and waterfowl in Alberta and across the continent.

Why We Need Wetlands

Wetlands are one of Earth’s most productive ecosystems; they are also one of the Earth’s most threatened ecosystems. Wetlands provide essential habitat for waterfowl and wildlife and critical environmental functions. Wetlands filter our water, reduce flooding, drought and erosion, lessen climate change impacts, and offer outdoor recreational and learning opportu-

nities. Even with increased awareness of the value of wetlands, they continue to disappear at an alarming rate, with approximately 64 per cent of Alberta’s wetlands lost or degraded in settled areas of the province. As demands on the landscape increase, we must find ways to work together to conserve and restore Alberta’s wetlands.

Why We Need You

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is blessed with grassroots supporters and volunteers of all ages who contribute to wetland conservation by attending or volunteering to help with local DUC fundraisers. Over the years, DUC’s muchcopied fundraising dinner and auctions have been instrumental in helping to fund more than 1,800 wetland projects in Alberta and more than 100,000 acres of habitat for ducks, geese, deer and more than 600 other wetland-dependent species of wildlife.

Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Boreal Program Wetlands are a diverse and significant feature of northern Alberta’s boreal forest. These wetlands are important to an array of wildlife species, including ducks and geese, trumpeter swans, woodland caribou, whooping cranes, and boreal songbirds.

On a continental scale, the boreal forest and the habitat it provides is a top priority for North America’s waterfowl, which is why Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is working to understand this region and conserve its wetlands. These wetlands, spread across the top of Canada like a protective cape, are vital to our economy, environment and society as a whole.

The boreal forest and its wetlands provide the world’s largest storehouse of carbon. This region also hold the majority of Canada’s freshwater.

Unfortunately, many of the environmental values that boreal wetlands provide are not yet, fully understood. DUC’s science-based approach to conservation, supported by our Partners in Conservation, includes investigating and understanding these wetlands so that we can work together to conserve them.

Conservation in the boreal forest requires a balance of environmentally sustainable land use and the protection of wetlands. Whether working directly with industry on advancing sustainable development or working with governments on policy-based initiatives, DUC knows that conserving Canada’s wetlands is only possible through effective, solutions-based partnerships.

Please contact us at (780) 489-2002 For more information

The boreal forest holds the majority of Canada’s freshwater

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Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary near the Devonian Botanical Gardens.

Despite the hard work and contributions of these supporters and the successes DUC has seen in its 75 years of conservation, Perry McCormick, manager of provincial operations for Alberta reminds everyone that wetland conservation can’t be taken for granted. “Every day, 80 acres of wetlands are lost in settled areas of Canada. This loss is equivalent to about 45 soccer fields every 24 hours. We need the continued support of Albertans across the province, we simply can’t do this alone, and we haven’t been. It’s

been our volunteers and generous supporters that have brought us this far and will to help take us into the future.”

Wetlands are fundamental to our way of life and we simply can’t afford to lose any more. Please show your support by attending or making a donation to this historic 75th anniversary celebration. Seating is limited and tickets will sell out quickly, purchase yours today by calling Maureen Schnirer at 780-4892002 or purchase online at www.ducks.ca/edmontonsignature.

Thursday, November 14, 2013 The Westin Edmonton Reception & Silent Auction 5:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Edmonton Gala

For more information contact Maureen at (780) 489-2002 or m_mccarthy@ducks.ca

Congratulations

Ducks Unlimited Canada on 75 years!

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Congratulations to Ducks Unlimited Canada on 75 Years Davis LLP - Proud to provide service to Ducks Unlimited Canada Colin Lipsett

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