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Chris Hak (top) and Katrice Kazmerik (bottom) both of Winnipeg.
Now in its thirteenth year, the annual GGA was created to reward keen, young naturalists—who are tomorrow’s conservation leaders and decision-makers—with a fun-filled, hands-on learning adventure that teaches them skills and instills in them a lifelong appreciation for wetlands, wildlife and conservation.
Teens Flock to Manitoba for Great Greenwing Adventure 
Teens participate in challenging and exciting week of adventure and education.
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., Aug. 8, 2007—Ten lucky teens from across Canada and two from the U.S. got an early start to International Youth Day (Aug. 12) by participating in an all expenses paid eco-adventure of a lifetime this summer in Manitoba.
Based at Oak Hammock Marsh, the teens were selected from among many talented applicants and sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to participate in a challenging and exciting week of adventure and education aimed at developing the skills they’ll need to become the environmental leaders of the next generation. It’s called the Great Greenwing Adventure (GGA), and the 12 enthusiastic teens spent the time alongside DUC biologists and conservation experts from a variety of agencies, studying wetlands, banding birds, using high-tech tools like radio telemetry and GPS, and much more.
Along with her newfound friends, 15-year-old Katrice Kazmerik of Winnipeg smiled as the group banded a duck they had captured in a bait trap. “This is definitely the experience of a lifetime,” she said. “You get a lot out of it – lots of friends, lots of laughs, good leaders…the whole thing!” But she was also quick to recognize the importance of the experience, saying that “if there isn’t kids like us to continue conserving wetlands, there wouldn’t be anything left.”
Fellow Winnipegger Chris Hak, 15, also felt the GGA experience was an important one. “If you want to be a biologist or involved in researching or studying wildlife, then this is a shortcut to learn some of those skills,” he said. Like most of the campers, Hak loves the outdoors and nature, which has given him an appreciation for the environment and the need for conservation. He explained that “the camp gives you an idea of what DUC does…of how things work with conservation. They’re keeping things intact, like wildlife that could be extinct by now. Plus, wetlands just look better.”
Now in its thirteenth year, the annual GGA was created to reward keen, young naturalists—who are tomorrow’s conservation leaders and decision-makers—with a fun-filled, hands-on learning adventure that teaches them skills and instills in them a lifelong appreciation for wetlands, wildlife and conservation.
“The GGA puts teens in touch with nature and with other young people from across Canada that share their interests,” said Dr. Rick Wishart, DUC’s director of education. “Some of our participants have gone on to studies and careers in conservation and related fields. And everyone goes home with new skills and experiences that create a positive impact on their lives.”
Hak and Kazmerik both agreed that duck banding was one of their favourite parts of the GGA experience, but they encouraged teens to apply for next year for a chance to enjoy the whole experience.
Information about the 2008 GGA will be posted in February.
For more information, contact:
Leigh Patterson
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (204) 467-3306
Toll-free: 1-800-665-3825
Email: l_patterson@ducks.ca
