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Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Education Program Nets EECOM Award of Excellence 
Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) education program received recognition at the national level through an Award of Excellence in Environmental Education from EECOM, the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication.
The EECOM judges noted that they were impressed and overwhelmed by the quantity, quality and scope of the nominees. A total of eight awards were presented to groups and individuals at EECOM’s annual conference held at Simon Fraser University, with DUC netting the award for “Outstanding Non-Profit Organization”.
A core component of DUC’s wetland conservation programs is to educate Canada’s young people about the value of wetland habitats and the role they can play in helping to conserve them from further loss and damage. Through education, DUC is working to empower Canada’s future conservation leaders.
“These kinds of awards are important,” said Dr. Rick Wishart, DUC’s director of education. “Recognition like this helps to increase awareness and support of our programs, which in turn helps us to reach more teachers and students, something that is of critical importance for achieving our conservation mission.”
DUC was selected for their public awareness and environmental education activities, including the highly-successful Adopt-A-Class program. The Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre was also highlighted for particular mention.
“When we look at the criteria of ‘visible contributions to environmental education’, not many organizations are more visible across Canada than DU,” said one judge. “It is well known by teachers and the general public, and has a long history of providing excellence in environmental education and awareness around habitat preservation and restoration. DU has been tremendously effective in promoting outdoor and environmental education across Canada.” Its Web-site was praised by another judge, who stated it has “real value for teachers in the trenches”.
EECOM is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to engage Canadians in learning about their environment. It achieves its goal by enabling educators in all sectors of Canadian society to work together in ways that nurture environmentally informed and responsible individuals, organizations and communities, and by improving the quality and effectiveness of their services.
Since 1938, DUC has conserved, restored and managed wetlands and their associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats—which naturally filter the water we drink and use every day—also benefit other wildlife and people.
For more information:
Rick Wishart, r_wishart@ducks.ca
Director of Education
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Ph: (204) 467-3254
