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Bringing the Country to the Classroom 
HUMBOLDT, Sask., April 14, 2005 — Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), in partnership with SaskPower, “Brought the Country to the Classroom” for Mrs. Stock’s Grade Three class at Humboldt Public School. SaskPower has long been a sponsor of the Wetland Education Program, which teaches students about wetland ecosystems and the plants and animals that use these vital resources.
“Our partnership with DUC reflects SaskPower’s response to the critical challenge of balancing environmental concerns with Saskatchewan’s growing electricity needs. SaskPower is pleased to help educate youth about wetland and environmental stewardship, because today’s youth are tomorrow’s conservation leaders,” said Dwight Hoffman, District Operator, Transmission and Distribution, SaskPower.
DUC Education Specialist Barbara Hanbidge said the education program plays an important role in helping people understand why wetland conservation is so important. “It is very important to Ducks Unlimited Canada that children have the chance to learn about waterfowl and other wildlife and to learn how important wetlands and habitat are,” Hanbidge said. “With help from SaskPower, we have been able to bring the wonder of wetlands to classes all over the province and to take many of these students on field trips to wetlands. Today we are bringing the country to the classroom – allowing these children to have a unique outdoor experience in their own classroom,” she added.
Twenty-two students in the Grade Three class from Humboldt Public School, along with their teacher, Joan Stock and principal, Linda Mattock took part in the ‘ Wetlands are Wonderlands’ presentation.
“As educators, we are always looking for avenues to expand the walls of our classrooms and connect our students to the real world,” said Mattock. “The programs available though Ducks Unlimited Canada and SaskPower do just that. Students become actively involved in their learning and are given the opportunity to explore their environment with a hands-on approach,” she added.
Since 1999, nearly 50,000 students in Saskatchewan have participated in the ‘ Wetlands are Wonderlands’ program. In addition to the youth education program, SaskPower has also supported DUC’s conservation programs including Winter Wheat variety development, rangeland stewardship and salinity seeding programs.
For over 65 years, Ducks Unlimited Canada has been conserving, restoring and managing wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
SaskPower donates over $1 million dollars annually to Saskatchewan communities in support of the environment, education and community involvement initiatives.
For more information:
Lori Gasper, l_gasper@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications
Ducks Unlimited Canada
(306) 222-3406
Toll Free: 1-800-665-DUCK
Larry Christie
SaskPower
(306) 566-3167
Toll Free: 1-888-535-0000
Toll Free: 1-866-665-DUCK
