Home2009 National News Releases
DUC partners with new TV show
December 31
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is pleased to announce an exciting partnership with The Canadian Tradition television show.
DUC’s multicultural education resources win international award
November 18
Perfectly timed with International Education Week, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) multicultural education project Wetlands and the World received first prize at the 2009 National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Media Award Competition today in Hartford, Connecticut in the Interpretive Curriculum category.
Canada’s boreal forest doubles carbon storage capacity of tropical forests
November 17
A new report released by the Canadian Boreal Initiative declares that Canada’s boreal forest stores nearly twice as much carbon per hectare as tropical forests.
Ducks Unlimited Canada surpasses $300,000 in funding for wetland conservation and environmental education projects from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
November 12
Since 1992, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) has contributed to DUC’s conservation and education programs, helping to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and wildlife and giving young people a chance to experience nature first-hand.
Wetlands enhancement measure passes U.S. House of Representatives
October 22
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to enhance the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and improve continental conservation efforts.
Migration 2009 in full swing
October 8
Canada's wetlands prime viewing spots for annual fall flight of waterfowl
North America’s Ducks Need Canada
September 30
North America is blessed with the greatest populations of waterfowl anywhere on the planet and North Americans share the heritage and responsibility of being their stewards. But keeping critical waterfowl habitat on the land is a monumental challenge for DUC and its American sister organization, DU Inc.
U.S. House Committee passes wetlands enhancement bill
September 30
Bill to enhance the popular North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) will open the door for Canadian sources to match U.S. funding for waterfowl conservation projects north of the border.
DUC unveils tribute to North American conservation leadership
September 26
DUC officially unveils the North American Waterfowl Conservation Honour Roll and recognizes first inductee as “true friend of the ducks.”
Call of the wild heard in Atlantic Canada
September 26
Competition at this year’s Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Duck and Goose Calling Championship made it clear that the waterfowling heritage in this part of the world is going strong.
U.S. Congress looks to Canada to enhance successful wetlands conservation program
September 25
Proposed U.S. legislation for the expansion of the popular North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) will seek to open the door for Canadian sources to match U.S. funding for waterfowl conservation projects north of the border.
Ducks Unlimited Canada hosting Online Land Auction
September 23
Ducks Unlimited Canada will be holding an online land auction starting Tuesday, October 20. Featured in this auction will be 16 agricultural (perennial forage) and recreational parcels throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Ducks Unlimited Canada salutes conservation partnerships among eastern states and provinces
September 15
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recently recognized efforts by U.S. State Governors and Provincial Premiers in the Northeast for their leadership in conserving wetlands of importance to our shared environment at the 33rd Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
Ducks Unlimited Canada receives ESRI Canada’s Award of Excellence in GIS for advancing wetland conservation
September 14
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) was recently honoured with ESRI Canada’s Award of Excellence for its extensive use of geographic information system (GIS) technology to drive wetland conservation efforts across the country. The award was presented at the 2009 ESRI Regional User Conference in Regina.
Grants from North American Wetlands Conservation Act Passes $1 Billion Mark
September 11
Two decades after being passed by the United States Congress to aid in the conservation of wetland ecosystems, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) has exceeded $1 billion U.S. in grants for wetland conservation in North America.
North American leaders cite sustainably managed landscapes as a climate change solution
August 14
When Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper, U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon brought forward their official declaration on climate change following their recent two-day summit in Mexico, they included something DUC leaders have long been waiting to see: an integrated platform for climate change action that identifies the importance of sustainably-managed landscapes, including wetlands.
Canada’s future conservationists take on Oak Hammock Marsh
August 11
DUC’s 15th annual Great Greenwing Adventure August 8-14, 2009 is bringing 12 conservation-minded teens together to gain an insider’s look at the world of conservation, while enjoying a fully-sponsored trip to learn about some of Manitoba’s world-class wetlands.
DU Inc. Executive Vice President Don Young resigns
July 16
After 10 years as Ducks Unlimited Inc.'s (DU) top-ranking official, Don Young has resigned as executive vice president.
Ducks Unlimited Canada’s new wetland hero
July 15
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 11 teens selected for an eco-adventure of a lifetime this August.
Duck numbers up despite mixed habitat conditions
July 3
Water returned to Canadian and U.S. breeding grounds this spring and the ducks have responded, according to preliminary results of the 2009 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. The survey shows a 13 per cent increase of birds over 2008, proving strong duck populations can happen if the necessary habitat and water exist.
Yukon wetlands protection positive for ducks and development
July 2
DUC commends the Vuntut Gwitchin and Yukon governments for formalizing permanent protection to the Old Crow Flats Special Management Area, and for approving the North Yukon Land Use Plan, which recommends the full protection of several key Yukon wetland complexes
Monsanto Canada funds wetland education for prairie schools
June 25
Monsanto Canada recently presented Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) with a major grant of $71,000 to expand its Wetland Centres of Excellence education program for schools in the Pembina Trails School Division as well as two additional schools at new sites in Virden, Man. and in Yorkton, Sask.
Jack H. Hole elected as Ducks Unlimited Canada President
June 17
Ducks Unlimited Canada is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Jack H. Hole as the non-profit organization’s 39th President at its national Board of Directors meeting held June 5-7, 2009, in Ottawa.
Department of National Defence and DUC Protect environment through new agreement
June 4
The Department of National Defence (DND) and DUC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will result in sound management practices for protecting waterfowl habitat on DND land.
Ducks takes wetlands to the Hill
June 4
During an historic day at Parliament Hill, DUC directors, volunteers and staff spent the day on the hill meeting with various ministers and parliamentarians to draw attention to wetland conservation issues in Canada. In addition to the meetings, a parliamentary Standing Order and an evening reception were among the day’s highlights.
Saskatchewan waterfowl research project continues
May 13
DUC is conducting research in two key study areas in western and southern Saskatchewan this summer. It’s the second time that DUC will use these sites for the multi-year study, which determines how nesting success of prairie waterfowl varies in relation to landscape types.
Broughton’s research leads to Think Tank Participation
April 9
DUC’s Broughton’s Creek research in Manitoba, which targeted key components and values of the ecological goods and services (EGS) of wetlands, was designed so that the results could be used to inform public policy decisions. This science opens doors for DUC to be included in meetings focused on discussion and movement of EGS from concept to implementation, including at a recent International Think Tank held in Banff, Alberta.
Prime Minister Harper tips cap to the role of hunters and anglers in conservation
March 30
Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent a well-deserved compliment to anglers and hunters during his keynote speech at the 81st Annual Meeting and Conference of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. The prime minister directed specific praise at Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Wetland birds highlighted as conservation success: U.S. report
March 24
The first-ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States attributes dramatic increases of wetland birds such as ducks, herons, egrets, ospreys and pelicans to widespread conservation partnerships and funding programs, such as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, that are paying huge dividends for waterfowl and waterbirds. But DUC acknowledges that work is far from done.
Viterra illustrates commitment to environment through winter wheat partnership with DUC
March 23
Ducks Unlimited Canada and Bayer CropScience are pleased to announce a partnership with Viterra Inc. in their Winter Cereals: Sustainability in Action initiative. The project aims to establish 100,000 new acres of winter wheat across Western Canada in 2009.
New Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada established
March 20
The Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada is an arm’s-length independent body that will help better inform Caucus members, and all Canadians, about the heritage activities of hunting, sport fishing, trapping and shooting sports in Canada. DUC has played a major role in the development of this group.
Calgary painter named Ducks Unlimited Canada’s 2009 Artist of the Year
March 9
Darren Haley of Calgary has been named DUC’s 2009 National Artist of the Year for his painting Alpine Hunter. He joins some of Canada’s foremost nature artists by donating his artwork to help DUC raise much-needed funds for wetland conservation.
DUC now accepting applications for the eco-adventure of a lifetime
March 3
Ten talented teens from across Canada will be selected by DUC to attend an eco-adventure camp at Oak Hammock Marsh and Delta Marsh in Manitoba. Throughout the action-packed week in August, they’ll meet many new people and participate in exciting activities like duck and songbird banding, geocaching and much more.
Pintails need Canada’s wetlands
January 29
On World Wetlands Day, thousands of northern pintails will be wading through flooded rice fields under the Texas sun. In a few short months, these striking, sleek birds - whose population declines are causing concern - will be migrating back north to their Canadian breeding grounds, stopping often at the plethora of recently-thawed shallow wetlands along the way.
DUC nominates boreal winners
January 22
The Canadian Boreal Initiative recently presented its annual Boreal Awards to a select number of boreal conservation-minded Canadians, including two DUC-nominated conservation leaders recognized for their far-reaching vision, diligent work and collaborative initiatives to protect land within Canada’s boreal forest.
Ducks Unlimited and Bayer CropScience team up to increase winter wheat in North America
January 13
Bayer CropScience and Ducks Unlimited believe winter wheat has an important role to play in sustainable agriculture on the prairies and have joined forces to launch a North American project called “Winter Cereals: Sustainability in Action.”
Duck Symposium and Workshop engages waterfowl professionals
January 9
The 2009 North American Duck Symposium and Workshop will provide an ideal forum for scientists, managers and students who are passionate about the conservation and management of ducks.
