HomeDucks Unlimited Works with Santa's Village to Create Wetland Education Area 
Barrie ON, Aug. 13 – The recent addition of the Ducks Unlimited (DU) Eco-Elf wetland at Santa's Village, marks the first steps toward an environmental education area at the theme park, located in Bracebridge.
"We're always looking for new and exciting activities to keep park visitors entertained," says Jamie Hopkins, general manager at Santa's Village. "We have such a beautiful, natural setting it just seemed an ideal location in which to educate parents and children about the environment." The Eco-Elf wetland is one portion of the overall plan for the area, which will expand over the years to encompass hiking trails and enhanced interactivity for our younger guests."
The Eco-Elf wetland project began in the spring of 2000 with the conversion of an existing pond into a thriving wetland. This involved the addition of earthen material, contouring, water level management and the planting of aquatic plants. In 2001, a viewing platform and an interpretive story area were added. Visitors to the site can discover in a hands-on way what lives in a wetland and why they're important for wildlife and people.
"When we were first approached by Santa's Village, we weren't quite sure how DU would fit into a theme park," said DU biologist Owen Steele. "But as we started brainstorming ideas, we realized there was a great opportunity for families to discover the importance of wetlands, and have fun doing it."
Many people are unaware of the benefits of wetlands and how they affect their everyday lives. In addition to providing extensive wildlife habitat, wetlands also have a positive and significant impact on the quantity and quality of our water resources. Plants found in wetlands filter pollutants; water is much cleaner when it leaves a wetland than when it entered. Water from wetlands help recharge the underground aquifers that people depend on for clean drinking water. Wetlands also function like giant sponges that capture water and release it slowly. By doing so, a series of wetlands in a watershed can help to moderate the impact of floods and droughts.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to conserving wetlands for the benefit of North America's waterfowl, other wildlife and people.
