Avolume 30, number 3, 2009

eastern region ( )Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia

• Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland and Labrador

quebec/atlantic

The Ararat Marsh is one of the DUC projects on Gagetown Island. As part of one of the best wildlife areas in New Brunswick, the island was recently purchased by DUC from the Campbell family, longtime supporters of the conservation organization.

A pristine piece of property on Gagetown Island, N.B., will be protected now and into the future thanks to the Campbell family, longtime supporters of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

Duncan Campbell is a DUC director emeritus with a long history of volunteering with DUC Atlantic. He and his sisters Janet Stevenson and Andrea Dolan inherited the land after their parents passed away.

In the last few years, DUC has purchased over 1,600 acres of protected high-quality wetland properties from the Campbell family including the Gagetown Island property, Black Duck Marsh and Allen Farm at Foshay Lake.

“My father believed in protecting natural areas and I do too,” Campbell says. “I, as well as many other people in the area, have seen that these areas work to increase waterfowl nesting and staging areas.”

The Gagetown Island property is 960 acres and consists of two large wetlands and their associated floodplain upland restored by DUC: Ararat Marsh (1989) and Mount Marsh (1988). The island is within the lower St. John Floodplain Conservation Priority Area which is considered by the Department of Natural Resources as the best wildlife habitat areas in New Brunswick. Fall surveys have shown that these two wetlands can stage up to 2,000 waterfowl each fall.

“Previously, the Campbells had an agreement with the New Brunswick government designating this property as a Waterfowl Sanctuary. It was DUC’s worry that if the property was sold to another party the purchaser could opt out of the agreement with the province with 30 days’ notice,” says Deanne Meadus, Atlantic manager of conservation programs. “Therefore, it was a high priority to put an offer on the table.”

The public in this area supports the waterfowl sanctuary and by securing this property the breeding potential and the staging capacity for waterfowl into the future will be conserved. This area will remain as a Waterfowl Sanctuary as DUC will be re-signing the agreement with the provincial government in the near future.

“It’s time for us to pass it on,” Campbell says. “I know Ducks Unlimited will protect it. I’m very happy DU has control of it because the projects are there and it’s a natural fit that DU should own it too.” S

DUC purchases pristine area from longtime DUC supporter

D

Bernard Filion, Quebec director of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), announced the protection of Vaudreuil-Dorion wetlands at a press conference held on May 4, 2009, attended by Liberal MNA Yvon Marcoux.

The finalization of this acquisition will help protect the entire ecology of this remarkable site, which was under threat due to the popularity of Lake of Two Mountains, which is close to Montreal.

This territory harbours one of the last great wetlands in the municipality of Vaudreuil-Dorion. According to current data, the municipality has barely 275 hectares of remaining wetlands, about three per cent of its surface area. The site is a patchwork of habitats comprising woods, bog and marsh. This variety of habitats favours a great biological diversity, specifically an area of waterfowl concentration that offers good potential for waterfowl nesting and feeding. These habitats also provide good conditions for amphibian, reptile and fish breeding.

To ensure protection of the Vaudreuil-Dorion wetland in perpetuity and thus preserve its natural, ecological and landscape

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recently shared its expertise with Lake Duparquet Research and Teaching Forest (LDRTF) to implement a plan to manage areas of deep water, wetlands and riparian forest. The LDRTF is an experimental forest located in the heart of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue boreal forest. It covers a surface area of approximately 80 square kilometres of public land and is managed by Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM).

The results of DUC’s work in this project, which consisted of classifying and mapping these habitats, revealed a number of interesting facts. For example, this undulating forest landscape has an impressive abundance of areas of deep water, wetlands and riparian forest, occupying 40 per cent of the LDRTF territory. The deep lentic waters (lakes) and rich coniferous forest marshes, dominated by black spruce, are the best represented ecosystems. Also, beavers are very active in the Abitibi territory, with a total of 458 beaver dams counted and mapped (five dams per square kilometre). Almost two-thirds of LDRTF’s small streams have been altered by beaver activity. The number of affected sites (433) was high, since the total surface area covers only three per cent of the

LDRTF territory. Each dam was relatively small, having an average size of 0.64 hectares, scarcely larger than a soccer pitch.

This study also identified the longest known beaver dam to date in Quebec, with a length of 437 metres. It is located partly on the LDRTF territory and accounts for a wetland area of 13  hectares. Unfortunately, this dam is located in a sector highly coveted for mining activities. A field trip confirmed that the dam is inactive and

contains a breach, probably created by a machine. The current world record for the longest beaver dam is held by Alberta (850 metres).

The LDRTF has a conservation area that covers about 27 per cent of its territory. DUC has suggested adding certain sectors to this area, including that of the longest known beaver dam in Quebec. The organization could then protect a representative sample of the LDRTF’s deep waters, wetlands and riparian forest. The organization also plans to sign a conservation agreement with the LDRTF managers (UQAT and UQÀM), which would represent a good protection tool and help the integrated management of the resources on this public land.

Large areas of wetlands line the banks of the Magusi River in the southern sector of the Lake Duparquet Research and Teaching Forest. S

DUC conserves threatened wetland

Deep water, wetlands and forest abound at LDRTF

Left to right: Yvon Marcoux, member of Parliament for Vaudreuil-Dorion, Bernard Filion, manager of Ducks Unlimited in Quebec, Mario Grilli, previous landowner,Rénald Gabriele, Vaudreuil-Dorion councillor

A e a s t e r n r e g i o n ( q u e b e c / a t l a n t i c )

A simple hobby turned into a Lieutenant-Governor’s honour when Robert (Bob) Harding was presented with the Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) on May 20, 2009.

“Bob is a remarkable volunteer whose dedication to seeking knowledge of wetland critters like damselflies and dragonflies of the Maritimes is matched only by his dedication to sharing this knowledge,” said Wade Lewis, conservation specialist for Prince Edward Island, when announcing the recipient of the award.

Lewis recounted how Harding records his knowledge to exacting standards and his information is used by museums, government and other non-government agencies. In addition, he shares his information on www.wildspecies.ca and writes articles for the newsletter of the Natural History Society of P.E.I. He is currently working with Dr. Donna Giberson at UPEI and others to publish information on damselflies and dragonflies, and he is expanding his interests to collecting butterflies and other insects.

Harding said that his father instilled in him a love for the outdoors. His father taught him the value of observation, that you don’t have to go very far to see incredible things and that it is important to document and share what you see.

“If we don’t know what’s out there, we don’t know how to conserve it,” he said.

These guidelines served Harding well and led to his discovery of the pickerel frog on P.E.I. On an outing with his children they spotted a frog which he was sure was a pickerel frog, though experts had said it was not present on P.E.I. After more observation and documentation Harding proved it was there, and is the first person to add a new amphibian to P.E.I.’s list in over a half century.

In addition to being a keen observer of nature Harding is an educator at heart. He participates in Greenwing Day each year, where he teaches budding naturalists about pond life and shows them how to collect dragonflies. “Bob’s efforts have greatly increased our understanding of wetland wildlife on P.E.I. and we thank him for his time and dedication,” Lewis said.

The Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman presented Harding with the award certificate and medal. Harding didn’t take too much credit for the award but rather directed it to the natural areas where he enjoys spending so much time.

“We are really lucky here on our Island that we don’t have to go very far to see nature,” Harding said. “The Island woods are bursting with life right now. Take the time to get out there and look around.”

This award recognizes those who have demonstrated leadership in a project or activity that has contributed to the public awareness of conserving wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl, wildlife and people. S

features, DUC will have it registered as a nature reserve. Given the heavy pressures exerted on the site, the most comprehensive possible protection is desired, although some leisure, tourism and educational activities will be permitted in the less sensitive areas. “The site offers an interesting leisure potential thanks to the presence of footpaths, which will be open to the public, but with certain restrictions,” says Filion, adding that DUC is recommending the creation of a partnership with local players to manage the site.

“Intensive urbanization can represent a relative threat to the

conservation of wetlands. Fortunately, attitudes are changing and many real estate operators are showing more sensitivity toward the environment and giving greater consideration to wetlands in their development plans,” says Filion.

The protection of the site has been made possible by funding from the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec, under its Partenaires pour la nature (Partners for Nature) program, and by the participation of the federal government through its Natural Areas Conservation Program. S

Ducks Unlimited Canada honours wetland hero

Left to right : Robert Harding, award recipient, the Honourable Barbara Hagerman, Lieutenant-Governor of P.E.I., and DUC's Wade Lewis following the ceremony.

TThe Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Duck and Goose calling championship will return to Amherst, N.S., this year.

The event will be held on Sept. 26 at the Amherst Curling Club. Callers can compete in duck and goose calling at the one-man senior, intermediate and youth levels, or the two-man level. There is also an old man flute portion in the goose calling contest.

“We’re looking forward to a great event this year,” says Jamie Young, fundraising manager for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. “The inaugural event was here and was a success and we expect to have a great turnout of callers and spectators again this year.”

The winner in DUC’s senior one-man duck calling competition will have an opportunity to compete in the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas, this fall. The winner will be provided with airfare, hotel accommodation for three nights, $350 US spending money and entry fee for the contest.

This year, DUC is pleased to welcome guest judge Buck Gardner of Germantown, Tennessee. Gardner is recognized as one of the top duck callers in the U.S. He won the 1994 World Championship and in 1995 he captured the ultimate duck calling trophy, “Champion of Champions,” which forced him into competition retirement. He now participates as a judge in contests around the country.

Gardner founded Buck Gardner Calls, LLC in 1986 and the company now offers a full line of duck, goose, predator, deer and turkey calls, as well as accessories and clothing. In 2005, Gardner was recognized by his peers for his humanitarian contributions, as well as his positive impact on the industry, when he was inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Gardner is a Delta Waterfowl Life Sponsor and Ducks Unlimited Life Sponsor, and helps conduct the U.S. Open and Tennessee State Duck Calling Championships.

“Buck Gardner is world-class and we are very pleased to welcome him as our guest judge,” Young says. “This is going to be a very exciting opportunity for callers to be evaluated by one of the best in the world.”

The winner of the first competition, Matthew Wilson of Woodstock, N.B., reported having a great time at the World’s Championship. He also received a lot of attention in Canada being interviewed, and getting the chance to blow some calls, for local and national media.

Registration forms and rules are available at ducks.ca/callingchampionship or email calling@ducks.ca. S

Matthew Wilson, 2007 DUC Canadian Duck Calling champion, calls during the first competition in Amherst in which he won the title.

Duck call Championships back in Amherst

eastern region ( )

The Flyway newsletter is published by Ducks Unlimited CanadaOak Hammock Marsh Conservation CentreP.O. Box 1160, Stonewall, ManitobaR0C 2Z0 tel (204)467-3000 fax (204)467-9028toll-free 1(800)665-DUCK

Please direct your inquiries to the following:Eastern Region Atlantic: Kelly MacDonald Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Lynette MaderWestern Region Prairie-Western Boreal: Marci Dube British Columbia: Wendy Fister

Flyway production staffDirector of Communications and Marketing:Madeleine ArbezEditor: Duncan MorrisonAssistant: Deb MenardArt Director: Tye GreggGraphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe

© Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2009 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres

quebec/atlantic

area contactsManager of Provincial Operations, AtlanticTom Duffy (866) 903-8257 ext.234

Manager of Provincial Operations, QuébecBernard Filion (800) 565-1650 ext.15

Fundraising Manager, QuébecJocelyn Landry (877) 551-5757

Fundraising Manager, New Brunswick Barry Burke (888) 920-3330

Fundraising Manager, Nova ScotiaJames Young (888) 557-5554

Newfoundland and LabradorKelly Sandoval (877) 243-8257

Fundraising

Québec (West)Pascal Desmedt (877) 547-9494

Greenwing LiaisonsKim Votour (888) 920-3330 ext. 3

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