P.E.I. Habitat Heroes Recognized as Ducks Unlimited Canada Celebrates 65 Years

Charlottetown, PEI, August 12, 2003 – When livestock owner John Sutherland of St. Peters Bay wanted to do something to protect the environment on his farmland, he contacted Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). Today, he enjoys the beauty of two restored small wetlands on his property that are teeming with wildlife. Other farmers interested in restoring wetlands are contacting him.

“I knew there were some things I should be doing to protect the environment,” he says, “but I couldn’t afford to do them on my own, so I called Ducks Unlimited Canada and asked for a description of what they did and how they did it.”

From this call, Sutherland learned of DUC’s small marsh program. This program focuses on restoring habitat for wildlife on wetlands that have been altered through drainage, ditching and other forms of land use. By restoring these wetlands and creating open water, DUC is able to increase diversity of habitat. With a quality wetland on site, wildlife species such as frogs, tree swallows, sora rails, waterfowl and muskrats begin to emerge. And in the winter, frozen ponds make great places to skate.

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

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 recognize landowners for adopting habitat friendly land uses.

“Conserved lands provide all of us with improved water quality, better protection from severe floods and droughts, mitigation of climate change and greater natural diversity in plants and animals,” says Tom Duffy, DUC Atlantic Canada policy specialist. “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 if we wish to continue down a path of sustainable land use.”

On PEI, over the past 30 years, Ducks Unlimited Canada, in cooperation with the province and the private sector has worked to conserve, construct, repair or enhance more than 300 wetlands. It has partnered with more than 400 landowners and is managing 3,700 ha (9,200 acres) of habitat that are critical to the survival of waterfowl and other wildlife.

DUC conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitat for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. If you would like to learn more about PEI’s wetlands, DUC’s conservation efforts, or how you can join our winning team, call Ducks Unlimited Canada at 1-902-569-4544.