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Katryna Benedik of Vernon, B.C.
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Young Canadians play a vital role in wetland conservation 
DUC shares wonders of wetlands with youth of all ages
Kamloops, B.C. August 12, 2006—On August 12, youth around the world will celebrate the United Nations’ International Youth Day by promoting action to further encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in decisions that affect their lives. With Project Webfoot, an interactive youth education program, now reaching over 42,000 Canadian students, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) salutes all the youth who have visited, studied, helped conserve and enjoyed our Canadian wetlands in the past year.
“Youth involvement in wetland conservation and education has always been important to DUC,” said Rick Wishart, DUC’s director of education. “Youth are our future. By putting them in touch with wetlands and nature, DUC is empowering Canada’s young people to take action on something that very much affects their lives—the health of the environment.”
Katryna Benedik of Vernon, B.C., is one Canadian youth who has taken this message seriously.
“Environmental issues are important to me, and I believe that people should realize how significant these issues are for the well-being of everyone and everything in the world,” Kartyna said.
For the past two years, Katryna, 17, has volunteered her time at the Wetland Centre of Excellence at Clarence Fulton Secondary School. She has enjoyed learning about wetlands so much that she decided to apply for a summer internship with Green Street. Katryna now works at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre, sharing her passion for nature and wetlands with visitors to the centre.
“I think it’s really important that we take care of wetlands and the environment, because we only have one earth,” Katryna explained. “Wetlands are important not just for animals but humans too. Things like clean water are very important!” she said, in reference to the many values wetland habitats provide - such as cleaning our drinking water, reducing the impact of flooding and drought, and providing habitat for hundreds of animals.
The passion and dedication of young people like Katryna remind us that the actions of just one person can make a big difference when it comes to wetland conservation. She encourages other youth to get involved in wetland conservation, saying that simple activities such as recycling, reducing waste, picking up garbage and local stream cleanup programs have a big impact overall.
“My volunteer and work experience has opened up my eyes to what's going on around me and in the community,” Katryna said, “There are a lot of people who do care about the environment, and there are many ways to get involved and help.”
Clarence Fulton Secondary School is officially a DUC Wetland Centre of Excellence. With the help of DUC and Green Street, students complete a variety of cross-curricular wetland projects and deliver hands-on outdoor environmental education programming to hundreds of younger students from their community and beyond.
There are many ways, in addition to the Wetland Centres of Excellence program to get involved with wetland conservation through DUC:
- Since 1997, more than 190,000 Canadian youth have learned about the tremendous value of wetlands – such as their ability to clean our drinking water and reduce the impact of drought - through DUC’s curriculum-based Project Webfoot program. Using interactive programs and resources, Project Webfoot makes learning fun! Cost to schools is minimal, as classes are sponsored to receive resource kits and in many cases, hands-on wetland field trips.
- Free wetland resources are available for elementary through to high school students.
- Youth age 7 to 21 can become a Greenwing member to learn more about wetlands and get involved in their conservation.
- Ten lucky teens are currently participating in the annual Great Greenwing Adventure at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba. Timed to coincide with Youth Day, this eco-adventure combines science and fun, bringing teens from across Canada together with DUC scientists and staff for a week-long experience like no other. The trip is sponsored by DUC.
- High schools interested in longer-term wetland projects can become a Wetland Centre of Excellence. With assistance from DUC and funding from Green Street, students will plan and complete wetland projects and also mentor younger generations of students in environmental education. Centres currently operate in B.C, Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Youth appreciation for wetlands has never been more important. Up to 70 per cent of critical wetland habitat has already been lost in settled areas of Canada and more continues to disappear every day. To find out more about how the young people in your life can help, call 1-800-665-DUCK (3825).
Since 1938, DUC has conserved, restored and managed wetlands and their associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl. These habitats—nature’s water filters—also benefit other wildlife and people.
For more information:
Leigh Patterson
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Ph: (204) 467-3306
