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Check out a map of the urban wetlands identified by the project in Québec City. (JPEG image, 859 Kb)
Recognising the Value of Wetland Conservation in Urban Areas: Planning Sustainable Communities 
Quebec City, May 3, 2005 — The future of Quebec City’s many urban wetland areas has never looked better thanks to a forward-thinking partnership.
Promoting the principles of sustainable development, a project using cutting-edge map technology to support the conservation of wetlands throughout the territory of the Quebec Metropolitan Community (QMC) was announced today by the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks, Mr. Thomas J. Mulcair, Mayor of Quebec City and President of the QMC, Mr. Jean-Paul L’Allier, the director general of the Quebec Sustainable Development Action Fund (QSDAF), Ms. Claire Boulé and Mr. Bernard Filion, director of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Quebec.
“Our aim is to be proactive. Knowing where our wetlands are allows us to make clearer decisions, based on a broader perspective. The project is motivated by the need to have as complete a picture as possible of the territory in terms of natural resources, in this case wetlands,” said Filion. “Furthermore, we intend to increase public awareness and encourage a sense of ownership among young people and residents towards their local environment.”
Based on aerial photographs, satellite imagery and photo-interpretation, DUC’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team will produce a series of highly detailed maps showing the exact location of the metropolitan community’s wetlands. The QMC and Quebec City will then be able to use this inventory - a valuable land use planning tool - to conserve wetlands. Site visits will be conducted this summer to collect further data that will be published when the project comes to an end in December 2005.
Quebec City , and nearby areas, host a multitude of wetlands (marshes, swamps and peatlands) that should be deemed essential for society as a whole, as well as for wildlife. As providers of natural capital, these wetland areas are invaluable.
As such, it is vital to conserve our wetlands and the goods and services that they provide. They act as natural filters, purifying surface water and thus ensuring quality drinking water. Wetlands re-stock groundwater and waterways. They are a natural sponge, reducing erosion and risks from flooding. By conserving these natural functions, municipalities can reduce the need to invest in costly infrastructures. Last, but not least, wetlands in urban areas provide a unique opportunity for recreational and leisure activities.
"The project will place wetlands high on the agenda and thereby encourage a more sustainable approach to urban development,” said Filion. “With the creation of these maps, we will be able to integrate wetland conservation into urban planning and thus protect top quality habitat.”
The $270,000 project has been made possible through the contributions made by each partner, including a grant of $150,000 from the QSDAF. DUC will work in cooperation with the QMC and the Quebec City municipality in order to identify and conserve these valuable wetlands throughout the region.
DUC, Canada’s Conservation Company, is a private, not-for-profit organization with the mandate to conserve wetlands and associated uplands for the benefits of waterfowl and to promote a healthy environment for wildlife and people. There are 9,000 members in Quebec, 500 of whom are active volunteers, largely involved in fundraising activities. DUC works towards the objectives set out in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Recently, DUC has started to work with municipalities with the aim to extend the understanding of this vital natural resource and thus promote a positive attitude towards wetlands.
For more information:
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Mr. Bernard Filion, b_filion@ducks.ca
(418) 623-1650 ext. 15
Ms. Judith Kirby, j_kirby@ducks.ca (Project leader)
(418) 623-1650 ext. 23
Information: Thierry Audin
Optimum Public Relations
(418) 521-3727
