Manitoba Habitat Heroes Recognized as Ducks Unlimited Canada Celebrates 65 Years

Brandon, Man., August 12, 200—Kendall Heise of Isabella, Man., will tell you everything you want to know about winter wheat especially if you’re a farmer thinking about growing it. Heise is a core grower in Ducks Unlimited Canada’s winter wheat program. He is one of 35 winter wheat producers in Manitoba who have been hand-picked by DUC to encourage other farmers to grow it. On average, it provides greater economic returns to landowners. DUC supports its growth because research has shown that a duck nest is usually found every eight to 10 acres in winter wheat crops compared to every 50 to 250 acres in spring seeded crops.

“DUC is very attuned to working with landowners and finding mutually beneficial practices for waterfowl and farmers,” Heise said. “Growing winter wheat is an excellent example of that. Farmers are well aware that they own most of the landscape that wildlife is raised on. We feel we’re an important part of the process.”

This year marks 65 years of conservation for Ducks Unlimited Canada. In celebration of this anniversary, DUC is featuring landowners like the Heise all across Canada. These people form a network of more than 16,000 Canadian landowners who voluntarily participate in programs that have saved or improved 1.6 million hectares (4 million acres) of habitat in prime waterfowl habitats targeted by DUC.

According to DUC agrologist, Kelly Bell, who directs the winter wheat program from Brandon, producers like Heise are a valuable part of the DUC program team. They provide producers with chances to see how economically beneficial land use can coincide with wildlife friendly farming.

“We need them to become champions for growing winter wheat,” Bell said. “Hopefully, by their lead those around them take up the torch and become winter wheat growers too.”

Across Manitoba, more than 2,400 landowners have helped DUC conserve, restore and protect a total of 1,023,756 acres (414,297 hectares) of lands that are critical to the survival of waterfowl and other wildlife. That’s almost the size of Riding Mountain National Park!

Ever since DUC started conserving habitat in 1938, it has recognized that people’s land use decisions influence the extent and quality of wildlife habitat. DUC’s habitat conservation programs for landowners are targeted to important waterfowl areas and designed to minimize habitat loss, maximize sustainability and reward landowners economically for adopting habitat friendly land uses.

“Conserved lands provide all of us with improved water quality, better protection from severe floods and droughts and greater natural diversity in plants and animals,” said Morley Barrett, DUC’s director Prairie Region operations. “These contribute to our enjoyment of the outdoors. They are the rewards landowners give us when they choose to conserve habitat on their land. Landowners in turn should be rewarded for practicing good stewardship.”

DUC conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.