HomeTeen from Revelstoke Wins National Ducks Unlimited Contest 
Summer Adventure of a Lifetime!
Surrey BC, Aug. 2 – Edward McCartney, 13, of Revelstoke, BC, is going to have a busy summer. Shortly after he returns home from forestry camp near Peachland, he'll be on a plane to Manitoba where he'll spend a week camping beside a restored wetland on an all expenses paid, weeklong adventure.
McCartney is the provincial winner of Ducks Unlimited Canada's Great Greenwing Adventure. An annual event, the Great Greenwing Adventure is a component of DU's Greenwing youth education program. The event first started in 1995 to reward keen, young naturalists with hands-on learning experiences that solidify commitments to wetland conservation. McCartney is one of ten teenagers from across Canada who will spend August 11 to 17 with DU staff learning about wetland and wildlife conservation.
He qualified for the trip by correctly identifying the types of ducks in a photo printed in his grandfather's Ducks Unlimited magazine. He entered the contest in anticipation of opportunities to interact with teens from across Canada. "I thought it would be fun to meet other people from other provinces," McCartney said.
Once he arrives in Winnipeg, McCartney will travel 20 minutes north of the city to Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, recognized as the country's best outdoor site by Attractions Canada. The marsh will serve as home base for the adventurers while they travel to activities that include duck and songbird banding, monster catfish fishing, canoeing, archery, wilderness survival, radio telemetry and orienteering.
"I thought canoeing and bird banding would be fun," McCartney said. "It's something new that I've never gotten to do before." An amateur naturalist, McCartney likes to hike and explore the plants, rocks and insects he encounters. According to Alvin Dyck, coordinator of the Great Greenwing Adventure, McCartney is about to embark on an experience that he'll remember years from now.
"Many of our past winners said they had the best time of their lives at our camp," Dyck said. "For some, it has sparked an interest in pursuing a career in biology and conservation. Participants learn about wetlands first hand, experiencing wetlands as biologists, researchers and outdoorspeople would. We hope that in addition to having a lot of fun, they take away a greater appreciation for the values that wetlands offer wildlife and people."
Ducks Unlimited's Greenwing youth education program has been running for over 20 years. Approximately 3,700 British Columbia youths are enrolled in the program.
