Ducks Unlimited CanadaConserving Canada’s Wetlands

ESANSNovember 25rd, 2015

Wade Lewis, Head Restoration and Client Services

Ducks Unlimited Canada Employee for 12 years

Fundsinvested in Canada

Funds raisedin USA

Original Concept ofDucks Unlimited -1938

Fundraising started in 1970s

Habitat conservationwork started 1984

Ducks Unlimited business model has evolved

DUC’s Priorities

•#1-Wetland Conservation- Restoration, Securement andManagement

•#2-Public Policy- Federal and Provincial Wetland Policies

•#3-Research- Science based conservation

•#4-Education- Public Environmental Education

Leader in Wetland Conservation in Canadafor more than 70 year

•DUC is active in every province and territory

•6.1 million acres of habitat conserved by DUC and 62 million acres protected through policy

•8,700 habitat projects completed

•18,500 Canadian landowners have conserved habitat in partnership with DUC

Wetlands provide clean water, reduce floodingand erosion and greater biodiversity

Wetlands are natural filters. Wetlands remove excess nutrientsNitrates- 87% retention and Phosphorus-95% retention in wetlands

Wetlands are Key to Watershed Health

Wetlands provide recreational opportunities

Grassroots Support

600 Annual events across Canada

157,000 Supporters

7,000 Volunteers47,450 Children 17 years and underenrolled in youth education programs

Where the money is spent:

Public Education (6°/o) ---

Fundraising &Administration (10°/o) --

Habitat & Research (84o/o) -

DUC Reputation

Cooperation vs. confrontation

Government and Corporatepartnerships

Atlantic Habitat Partnership Initiative

Atlantic Canada DUC ProjectsNumber of Projects: 1,900 Total Acres: 120,000 acresTotal DUC Investment: $90 million

DUC Investments in NSOver $30 million in wetland conservation44,000 acres conserved on over 500 projectsManaged wetland require dykes, water control structure and fish ladders.

Missaquash Marsh-6000 acres

River Herbert Project, NSWastewater Treatment Wetland

Wetland Interpretive Centre at Provincial Wildlife Park

100,000+ VisitorsAnnually

DUC Restoration ServicesRestoringAquaticHabitats

What is Restoration Service?– A service available to

private individuals, companies or Government departments.

– Delivers wetlandcompensation projectstriggered by habitat loss or alteration, through theregulatory process.

Compensation

– A physical process for replacing habitat lost todevelopment or other activities.

– In issuance of a permit to alter or destroy wetlands, regulatory agencies require the permit-holder tofirst attempt to avoid impacts.

– If avoidance is not deemed possible, thencompensation is required.

Atlantic Habitat Partnership Initiative

•Wh•y Ducks Unlimited Canada?•Experience- Leader in Wetland Conservation

•Trusted Provincial Governments Partner- Helped Develop Wetland Policy

•SignedAgreements- With New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI to deliver wetland compensation projects.

DUC Restoration Services Program

Restoration ServicesRestoring Aquatic Habitats

Signed MOU Agreements with Provincial Governments

Client List

Department of National DefenseDepartment of Fisheries and Oceans- Small Craft Harbours

NB Department of Transportation NB Department of Environment

NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure NS Department of Environment

PEI Department of Environment

Municipal and Private SectorTown of Sussex, NB, Town of GrandBay-Westfield, Stantec , Amec, Maritime Testing, Dillion Consulting, Lafarge Canada, NB Power, Halifax International Airport, Moncton International Airport, Armoc Capital, BANC Developments, Strum Environmental

DUC ExperienceConservation Allowance / Off-sets

Wetland RestorationProvincial Wetland Conservation Policies

HADD CompensationDFO regulatory requirement.

Restorative / Non-restorative

Wetland Compensation Methods

1.Restorative Methods: enhancement or construction of replacement wetlands

• DUC agrees to monitor and maintain restoration projects for 30 years

• Yearly inspections of all restoration projects and any required maintenance is performed

Atlantic Habitat Partnership Initiative

DUC Atlantic Restoration Services ProgramCreamery Brook, Brookfield, NS

Client: Lafarge

2. Non-restorative Methods: alternatives that support maintenanceof wetland value• Wetland inventory development and

data acquisition• Wetland securement for long term

protection• Wetland education and awareness• Wetland research and monitoring

Wetland Compensation Methods

Salt Marsh Restoration• DUC have been restoring salt marsh habitat since 2000• Ten projects have been completed in Atlantic Canada,

including the largest salt marsh restoration project in Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland Creek (194 acres)

• Over 650 acres of salt marsh habitat restored

Salt Marsh Restoration

• Impacts to salt marshes in Atlantic Canada have been severe

• They are important for improving water quality, protection against sea-level rise and storm surges, and providing critical habitat for species including rare and endangered species

• Offer opportunities for science and research partnership projects by monitored changes in vegetation, sedimentation, invertebrates and water chemistry as the habitat restores to salt marsh

DUC Atlantic Education

Our education program mission is to foster awareness about the value of wetlands and encourage support for their conservation.

Project Webfoot- Classes participate in hands-on activities, such as bird watching, catching aquatic invertebrates with nets, nature hikes and playing ecological games. These give youth the opportunity to fully experience a wetland while instilling an appreciation for these natural habitats

Wetland Centers of Excellence Program-through the WCE program, DUC partners with schools to steward a local wetland through hands on action projects

Interpretive Centers- Ex: DUC Interpretative Center in Shubenacadie, NS. Features; wetland trails, education programs, special interested groups (brownies, scouts etc.), special speakers and events. Approximately 100,000 visitors annually

DUC Atlantic Education

DUC- Communications and Public Relations

Conservator magazine including a specific section on Atlantic Canada which focuses on stories on science, education and research.

Pond Press and Atlantic Connections are local newsletters and they promote research, science and supporter activities

The supporter calendar highlights supporter partners and support activities

Social media is used for campaigning and awareness to promote wetland conservation

DUC- Science and ResearchResearch and educational partnerships for student from local universities at the honours, Master’s and Doctorate level. Currently DUC partners with the University of Acadia at the Beaubassin Research Station (BRC)

Projects include the Research Cells which were created at BRC to test the success of varying restoration techniques. The cells are monitored for changes in water chemistry, sediment accumulation and vegetation communities which can provide insight on how DUC can improve and enhance restoration projects in the future

DUC- Science and Research

Partnership with the University of New Brunswick on the Aulac Salt Marsh Restoration Project. Variables such as, sediment accumulation and vegetation changes were monitored throughout the transition period. Rates and amounts of deposition were monitored and vegetation species were catalogued in order to track changes in vegetation communities. Monitoring was compared to reference salt marshes adjacent to the site

Thank You.Questions?