HomeCelebrating a "Prairies to Palms" Partnership 
DU Canada Project Dedicated to U.S. Friends of the Ducks
Regina SK, Oct. 12 – As ducks and geese migrate to their southern wintering grounds, some of their human benefactors from the US are travelling north to pay a visit to the birds' Saskatchewan breeding territory.
A contingent of Ducks Unlimited (DU) supporters from Louisiana are in southern Saskatchewan this weekend to participate in the dedication of the "Les Amis des Canards" or "Friends of the Ducks" habitat project, located approximately 130 kilometres south of Regina. The event will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the project site on Sunday, October 14.
Tim Thiele, Ducks Unlimited Canada's manager of field operations for southern Saskatchewan said that state funding and dollars raised by individuals from Louisiana have helped conserve critical waterfowl habitat in Saskatchewan, which has the highest waterfowl production potential of any province or state in North America. "We're talking significant dollars here," Thiele said. "Contributions last year and this year from Louisiana's Friends of the Ducks and from the State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, have been matched by North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) funds. The result is nearly $7 million directed to our conservation work here in Saskatchewan."
DU's association with Louisiana stems from the migration patterns of the ducks themselves. Based on band recoveries in Louisiana from 1970 to 1996, mallards, northern pintails, gadwalls, American wigeon and blue and green-winged teal ducks all wing their way in large numbers between Saskatchewan and the state of Louisiana. On average, more than half of those duck species produced in Saskatchewan wind up in Louisiana.
DU's "Les Amis Des Canards" project is an example of the collaborative efforts of DU, the State of Louisiana and Louisiana sponsors. The project is a 640-acre parcel of prime waterfowl habitat, consisting of 113 acres of protected wetlands and 89 acres of grassland and shrubs. The remaining 438 acres of adjoining upland has been restored to native grasses. "This is a showpiece project that highlights the type of conservation work currently underway in Saskatchewan," Thiele said.
A cairn and plaque will be unveiled at the dedication. Those expected to attend the ceremony include Dr. L.J. Mayeux, DU Inc. president; Mel Belich, DU Canada president; Randy Meyers, Program Manager, Land Acquisition, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as well as representatives from Louisiana who helped sponsor the project.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private, nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to conserving wetlands for the benefit of North America's waterfowl, other wildlife and people.
Directions to "Les Amis Des Canards" Project:
From the town of Avonlea, proceed south along Highway 334 for 22 km. Turn west and proceed for 3.2 km on the grid road, then south for 3.2 km and east for 1.2 km to the dedication site.
