Ducks Unlimited Canada’s new wetland hero

Young intern’s passion for the marsh a family affair

Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., July 15, 2009 - Cassandra-Lynn Grant is a true wetland hero. Not only is the energetic teen a summer intern through the Green Street program working at the Hilliardton Marsh’s bird banding station just north of New Liskeard, Ont., but her passion for birds and the outdoors has secured her a spot as one of 12 teens selected for an eco-adventure of a lifetime this August.

Under the direction of TERRA (Teaching Ecological Responsibility Recreation and Adventure) lead teacher Bruce Murphy from Timiskaming District Secondary School, Grant and other students and teachers operate in a partnership agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) as one of 9 Wetland Centres of Excellence across Canada.

“Students do enrichment studies at a local wetland through their high school and assist DUC by delivering mentored wetland field trip programs to local elementary students with support from Green Street,” says Rick Wishart, DUC’s director of education.

The four-cell, 725 hectare Hilliardton Marsh used as TERRA’s outdoor classroom was developed by DUC in 1993 under the auspices of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture at a cost of over $1 million.

“Hilliardton Marsh supports hundreds of species of plants and animals and provides many environmental and recreational values to local people,” Wishart says.

And Hilliardton Marsh is very near and dear to Grant, as she grew up only minutes away from it. So it was a perfect fit for her to participate in the TERRA program.

While in TERRA this year, Grant has learned to identify over 140 birds by sight and 50 by ear. Her group goes on trips throughout the year to various camps and canoe centres while they continue to be responsible for their unit work, research and oral presentations regarding wildlife and ecology.

“Since being in TERRA, I have developed a passion for wildlife, especially birds,” she says. “I have always been an outdoors person and enjoy being outside, but the wildlife we encounter has just added to this experience. I plan on getting my own banding permit, going to a college or university that specializes in Ornithology and hopefully have a career focusing on birds.”

Since Grant’s family still lives just down the road from the Hilliardton Marsh, she was able to bring her young cousins to the wetland to teach and share her environmental experience with the next generation.

“Since I have been a part of TERRA, my sister and brother have joined us at the marsh as well and are planning to join TERRA,” Grant says. “My mother has been a great cheerleader for the TERRA program and getting other family members involved in going to the marsh to expand their knowledge of what it is and how it works. My family loves bird banding and the outdoors just as much as I do.”

Grant is really thankful for being in the TERRA program because she says it has changed her life and opened her eyes to her new passion for the outdoors.

“Wildlife, especially birds, is my greatest interest for pursuing a career in. I have learned and discovered so much already and I am anticipating so many more interesting adventures through the TERRA program and through my passion for all birds,” she says.

Grant has also been selected among 12 teens from across North America to attend the Great Greenwing Adventure camp hosted by DUC August 8 to 14 at the award-winning Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre in Manitoba.

Throughout the action-packed week, Grant will meet new friends and participate in exciting activities like duck and songbird banding, radio telemetry, geocaching, wilderness survival, camping, canoeing, fishing and much more.

For more information, contact:

Karli Reimer, k_reimer@ducks.ca
National Communications Coordinator
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 204-467-3279