31Conservator | spring 2012

What does Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) have in common with the oil and gas industry and government regulators? According to Dave Kay, national manager of industry relations with DUC, all three have a stake in what’s happening above and below the ground in an ecosystem that provides essential breeding grounds for millions of the continent’s waterfowl.

That common ground was the foundation for an innovative two-day Conservation Solutions conference held in Calgary recently. The event, sponsored by DUC and Suncor Energy Foundation, brought together industry, government and non-governmental organizations to collabo- rate on developing environmentally sustainable land use practices in the wetland-rich Western boreal forest.

Gordon Lambert, vice president of sustainable development at Suncor, called the event “an important opportunity to explore what really are the ‘best practices’ in conservation.”

Drawing a distinction between cooperation and collaboration, he urged participants to seek collaboration as the higher-level approach. “While cooperation is about pursuing individual interests jointly, collaboration is a joint effort towards a common position,” said Lambert.

“We know from experience that environmentally sustainable land use can only be achieved through a collaborative, solutions based approach with land users. Incorporating sound environ-mental knowledge into resource development planning is the best way to avoid or minimize negative impacts on wetlands,” said Kay. “This workshop helps us understand better what industry’s challenges are around resource development in wetland-rich landscapes so we can help develop practical solutions to boreal wetland conservation.”

Calling the event another example of industry collaboration aimed at industry-wide improvements, Lambert added that this particular conference was, “powerful because we are drawing upon our collective knowledge and experiences, and using the deep expertise that DUC has in wetlands.”

Conservation solutions through collaboration

“We know from experience that environmentally sustainable land use can only be achieved through a collaborative, solutions-based approach with land users.”

– Dave Kay, National manager of industry relations, Ducks Unlimited Canada

The federal government renewed interim surface and sub-surface protection of two critical waterfowl areas in the Northwest Territories, The Ramparts River and Wetlands (Ts’ude niline Tu’eyeta, 14,700 square kilometres), in the lower Mackenzie River Valley and the Dehcho Interim Measures Agreement land withdrawal (54,708 square kilometres) west of Great Slave Lake. Interim surface and sub-surface protection prevents development and mineral staking, while proposals to designate these areas as national wildlife areas are reviewed. Both are partially located in Ducks Unlimited Canada priority conservation areas.

Protection renewed for NWT waterfowl areas

As part of B.C.’s Crown Range Wetland Enhancement Program in the Interior, the Haines Lake Project re-

establishes three kilometers of fence to control cattle grazing around 533 hectares of wetlands and grass- land. Native plants will regrow and flourish as a result

of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) efforts, creating quality wildlife habitat. This project continues DUC’s

relationship with Wildlife Habitat Canada, the B.C. Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Alexis Creek Ranch, and the Stone Band First Nation.

Wetland enhancement in the Chilcotin

western regionB . C . / B o r e a l

Above: A new partnership agreement brings back life to wetlands and grasslands west of Williams Lake in British Columbia’s interior.

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The Yukon government designated Devil’s Elbow and Big Island as habitat pro- tection areas. Together these protected areas encompass some 20,000 acres of bird, fish and moose habitat along the Stewart River. The wetlands and low-lying areas shelter moose during calving season and are heavily used by birds during spring migration. These areas help sustain traditional activities such as hunting and fishing of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation.

“We’ve been engaged for many years in helping develop the management plan and sharing our knowledge of waterfowl use and wetlands,” says Eric Butterworth, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s manager of boreal and territorial operations.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) honours one of B.C.’s founding wetland and waterfowl conservationists, Tom Sterling, with the 2011 Province of B.C. and DUC Conser- vation Award. DUC owes much of its presence in the province to Sterling’s vision and efforts. He established key working relationships with wildlife personnel and identified prime migratory areas where DUC continues to direct its conservation efforts. Sterling mentored many DUC staff and his leadership propelled the careers of many waterfowl biologists. For these and many untold contributions, an award ceremony will be held in 2012 to honour Sterling’s commitment and dedication.

Devil’s Elbow protection great for our feathered and furry friends

B.C. wetland conservation founder recognized

western regionB . C . / B o r e a l

Tom Sterling joined Ducks Unlimited Canada in 1951, and helped pioneer DUC’s expansion into B.C. during the 1960s.

Attend one of DUC’s 500+ fundraising events and you could be the winner of a limited edition 2012 art print by Robert Bateman or Dan Smith. And everyone who enters will be eligible for the Grand Prize draw – a 2012 Yamaha ATV!

To finD An evenT neAr yoU AnD To LeArn more ABoUT The ConTeST, viSiT ducks.ca/event

do you want to be a winner?

WINNER’S CHOICE 2012

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Robert Bateman – On The Edge – Tiger

Dan Smith – Arctic Alliance