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A first step towards conserving the Earth’s kidneys
Ducks Unlimited Canada launches its Regional Wetland Conservation Plans for Quebec
Quebec, October 19 2006—Mr. Bernard Filion, director of Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Quebec, has announced this morning the launch of the Regional Wetland Conservation Plans for the regions of Chaudière-Appalaches, Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec. The objective of these tools is to provide free and detailed information about wetlands greater than 1 hectare in size. The Regional Wetland Conservation Plans represent a first step towards a more holistic approach to conserving these important natural habitats with the long term goal being the completion of a wetland inventory for each of the province’s administrative regions.
Working together towards sustainable land use planning
The Regional Wetland Conservation Plans have been produced in partnership with ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, the ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife, the ministry of Municipal Affairs and Regions as well as with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada. They mark the start of an approach that will also bring together different stakeholders in land use planning.
An exceptional information tool
The Plans include an overall portrait of wetlands for each region in the form of an interactive presentation that is accompanied by a more detailed textual analysis of the wetlands at a variety of scales: ecosystem, MRC, watershed. Therefore, the Regional Wetland Conservation Plans are an exceptional tool to inform and to educate about the essential services that wetlands provide society, for example.
“With this tool, explains Mr. Filion, we are better placed to recognize that despite wetlands playing an essential role as the Earth’s kidneys, they continue to be subjected to numerous pressures that degrade or destroy them by means of drainage, infill, or loss of ecological integrity. In certain regions of Quebec the majority of wetlands have already been lost, especially the smaller ones. In some areas, it may even be necessary to restore wetlands in order to re-create these roles and develop sustainable solutions for land use planning.”
Wetlands—economic capital worth preserving
The cumulative effects of wetland loss and degradation often results in costly consequences for society. For example, spring flooding, water shortages, water quality problems, and the loss of activities related to wetlands such as wildlife observation and fishing. Therefore it is crucial that we conserve these precious ecosystems.
In order to communicate the existence of this tool and disseminate the crucial information that it contains to encourage sustainable land use planning, DUC will be holding a series of meetings with stakeholders from provincial, regional and local government, watershed groups, representatives from the agricultural and wood lot sectors and the principle groups active in wetland conservation. Everyone will be made aware of the multiple uses of this new tool.
A tool that is free and available to all
As DUC celebrates 30 years of action in Quebec, and in particular to mark the work of its volunteers, the organisation is pleased to give this free and unique wetland information to the population. The products are available for consultation on the DUC website at: canardsquebec.ca. For those stakeholders representing regional and local government the information is available via the GIS portal (SIGAT) of the ministry for Municipal Affairs and Regions.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private conservation society with the mandate to conserve wetlands and associated uplands for the benefit of waterfowl and to promote a healthy environment for wildlife and people. There are more than 150 000 DUC members in Canada, with 9 000 members and more than 500 volunteers across Quebec. Since 1976, when DUC started in Quebec, approximately 55 million dollars have been invested in the conservation of wetlands and 190 wetland sites have been enhanced or protected.
The Conservation Society works in close collaboration with partners to achieve the objectives set out in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.For more information:
Judith Kirby , Conservation Programs Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel. : 418-623-1650 p.23 or toll-free: 1-800-565-1650
Email : plansregionaux@ducks.ca
