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Coldwater Teen Wins Outdoor Ducks Unlimited Canada Adventure in Manitoba 
Oak Hammock Marsh, Manitoba, August 8, 2002 -When students returning to school are asked how they spent their summer holidays, only Nora Niddery of Coldwater will be able to say she travelled to Manitoba to band ducks and songbirds, catch monster catfish and ride an airboat. Niddery is this year's provincial participant in the Ducks Unlimited Canada Great Greenwing Adventure.
Greenwing is Ducks Unlimited Canada's environmental education program for youth. The annual Great Greenwing Adventure, August 10 to 16, first started in 1995 to reward keen, young naturalists with hands-on learning experiences that solidify commitments to wetland conservation. This year, 10 young Canadians are participating in the adventure. It's a chance of a lifetime for 15-year-old Niddery.
"Dad is a member [of Ducks Unlimited Canada]. He encouraged me to sign up. It sounded like it would be an incredible adventure and lots of fun," Niddery said. "It would be good to meet people who love nature as much as I do."
To win the contest, Niddery had to write why she should be selected to participate. She stated: "I have always loved the great outdoors. My home is close to Matchedash Bay which is an important wetland on Georgian Bay in Ontario. I have helped put up duck boxes and an osprey nest on my property."
After a follow up interview and a check of references, Niddery became one of this year's flock of ecoadventurers. Once she arrives in Winnipeg, she'll travel 20 minutes north of the city to Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, previously 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. Niddery is looking forward to duck banding.
"We can spot ducks its right in front of my house," she said, adding that she's able to identify the species near her home. "I'm hoping to learn more." Soon to enter Park Street Collegiate her favorite classes are geography and music. She hopes to one day teach kindergarten teacher or work in the environmental field.
According to Rick Wishart, DUC's education manager, Niddery is about to embark on an influential experience that will provide life long memories.
"Many of our past winners said they had the best time of their lives at our camp," Wishart said. "For some, it has sparked an interest in pursuing advanced studies and careers 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 Canada's Greenwing youth education program has been running for over 20 years. Almost 3, 700 youths in Ontario are enrolled in the program that has a national membership of 24,300 children up to age 17.
