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Students from James Robinson Public School in Markham join (background) DUC Ontario DUC Director and Ontario Provincial Volunteer Chair Gary Down, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Executive Director Mary Desjardins and longtime DUC volunteer Geoff Taylor, whose sponsorship through Project Webfoot provided the opportunity for the class to attend the Kortright Centre event.
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Ducks Unlimited Canada surpasses $300,000 in funding for wetland conservation and environmental education projects from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation 
Kortright Centre event recognizes community partnership contribution
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., June 15, 2009 —A wetland classroom explored by curious, excited children, was the fitting backdrop today for a special presentation by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) in recognition of TD FEF’s many community partnership contributions. Since 1992, TD FEF has contributed to DUC’s conservation and education programs, helping to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and wildlife and giving young people a chance to experience nature first-hand.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is a non-profit partnership that funds local initiatives that protect the environment, help young Canadians get involved in environmental activities and enhance partnerships among environmental organizations. To date, TD FEF has donated over $300,000 to DUC to fund a number of wetland conservation initiatives and enroll 400 classrooms and 10,000 students in the Project Webfoot program, a curriculum-based wetland education program that teaches students about the tremendous value of wetland habitats. Students enrolled in Project Webfoot through TD FEF are provided with exciting and engaging in-class learning materials, as well as wetland field trips.
In 2008, TD FEF contributed to the Peterson Project in Saskatchewan to restore previously drained wetlands. Once restored, the Peterson Project will provide critical habitat for the production of waterfowl as well as attract other wildlife such as pheasants, raptors, white-tailed deer and a wide range of grassland birds.
The Foundation’s generous donations were acknowledged by Ontario DUC Director and Provincial Volunteer Chair Gary Down as he presented a Legacy Sponsor plaque to TD FEF representatives who had gathered at the Kortright Centre north of Toronto to watch a Project Webfoot class enjoy a wetland field day.
“Educating Canadian youth about wetlands is a key part of DUC’s wetland conservation mission,” Down said. “The support from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has been critical to us in helping students and teachers across Canada learn about the many threats that wetlands face, the tremendous environmental and economic values they provide and actions people can take locally to help conserve these endangered spaces. These kids are tomorrow’s leaders and decision-makers, so TD FEF’s support is making a big difference in ensuring wetlands will be conserved for future generations.”
“Ducks Unlimited’s involvement with wetlands conservation and environmental education projects goes back over 70 years,” said Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. “We commend their efforts to protect some of the most critical and precious wetlands across Canada and beyond.”
Down added that the Foundation’s support of non-profit organizations like DUC is helping address environmental challenges like wetland loss, water quality issues and global climate change. “With over 90 local chapters across the country, TD Friends of the Environment is continuing to make a very important difference in the health of our environment at a national level.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private, non-profit organization that conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided $49 million in funding to over 18,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2008, TD FEF provided more than $3 million in support of over 800 projects in local communities.
For more information, contact:
Leigh Patterson, l_patterson@ducks.ca
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (204) 467-3306
Gregory Harrison
TD Bank Financial Group
Phone: 416-308-8597
E-mail: gregory.harrison@td.com
