HomeDucks Unlimited Invites Toronto to Celebrate Wetland Conservation Week 
Toronto ON, Aug. 1 – August 19th through the 26th, 2001 has been proclaimed Wetland Conservation Week by the City of Toronto and in celebration Ducks Unlimited (DU) and its partners have planned a host of activities throughout the City.
"Many people understand the value of wetlands for wildlife habitat, says Jamie Fortune, DU's Director of Regional Operations. "What they don't always understand are the other societal benefits wetlands provide such as filtering pollutants from our drinking water." Wetland Conservation Week is an opportunity for DU and other conservation organizations to promote the broad value of wetlands, especially to urban residents.
"Kick-off" Event - Ducks Unlimited Duck Race Challenge
The 3rd Annual DU Duck Race Challenge, sponsored by Banrock Station Wetlands Foundation Canada takes place on Tuesday, August 21, at Nathan Phillips Square, from noon until 2:00 p.m.
During the event, Nathan Phillips Square will be unrecognizable. Instead of concrete, you'll find wetland. "Since Toronto can't necessarily get to a wetland, we brought the wetland to Toronto," says Fortune. Teams hop onto a specially built duck-mobile and race their way around the wetland course. Teams consist of a driver and three runners who take turns pushing the duck-mobile around the track. While the runners are responsible for the leg power, the driver has equally important tasks - to quack like a duck and to steer the duck-mobile. The fastest team through the course is the challenge winner.
A BBQ, courtesy of Enbridge Consumers Gas, will be offered to members of the public with all proceeds going to Ducks Unlimited. Other event sponsors include Acorus Restoration and the Weather Network. All proceeds from the day will go directly to Ducks Unlimited in support of their habitat programs.
Wetland Demonstrations & Tours at the Ontario Science Centre
Visit the Ontario Science Centre's Living Earth hall on Thursday, August 23rd to learn about wetlands and how their place within a watershed plays a critical role in the quality and quantity of our water resources. Ducks Unlimited will provide hands-on demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours of the urban wetland recently restored by DU, located adjacent to the Science Centre property, will take place at scheduled times throughout the day.
Duck Banding at Tommy Thompson Park
Join DU and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for a morning of duck banding on Friday, August 24th from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This event will launch the TRCA's five-year Waterfowl Monitoring Program designed to evaluate the response of waterfowl populations to habitat improvements or recreation efforts on the Toronto waterfront. TRCA and DU representatives will discuss the duck banding program, demonstrate the process, and highlight key wetland restoration projects in the GTA. Tommy Thompson Park is located at the base of Leslie St., at the intersection of Leslie and Unwin Ave.
Hands on Wetland Demonstrations at the Metro Toronto Zoo
Join Ducks Unlimited Saturday, August 25th at the Metro Toronto Zoo's wetland site for hands-on demonstrations regarding the importance of wetlands to wildlife and people. Learn how wetlands help to prevent flooding and drought and how they can improve the quality and quantity of our water resources. DU will be on site from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands for the benefit of North America's waterfowl, wildlife and people.
