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(l-r) Rick Andrews, DUC, Christine Melnick, Minister of Water Stewardship, Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation and Tim Sopuck, MHHC

DUC receives $300,000 from Province to restore two large marshes in Manitoba

Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., October 2, 2009 — Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) received a grant of $300,000 from the Government of Manitoba as part of a $1 million investment to protect and restore wetlands including the province’s largest marshes: Netley-Libau Marsh on Lake Winnipeg and Delta Marsh on Lake Manitoba.

"Ducks Unlimited Canada is pleased to join the province, the University of Manitoba, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and other partners to begin the restoration of our two great coastal marshes, Netley-Libau and Delta marshes," said Bob Grant, manager of provincial operations for Ducks Unlimited Canada. "Water purification, carbon storage, fish, waterfowl and other wildlife habitat are just a few of the important services that have been lost or degraded in these areas over the years."

In addition to the $300,000 grant to DUC, more than $500,000 will be directed this year to the Wetland Restoration Incentive Program for the permanent restoration of lost wetlands through the purchase of Conservation Agreements. Another $200,000 will be used to support the province's overall wetland protection program including development of new policies and protection measures.

"As part of our comprehensive strategy to restore and protect the province's wetlands, we are providing Ducks Unlimited Canada with a grant of $300,000 to restore Manitoba's two largest marshes," said the Minister of Water Stewardship Christine Melnick. “Restoring two of the largest marshes of their kind in North America will add another dimension to our government's commitment to ensure the health of Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba."

"The cost of restoring our internationally significant wetlands is small compared to the tremendous benefits they provide by improving the water quality of our great lakes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing wildlife habitat and wildlife-related recreation opportunities," said the Minister of Conservation Stan Struthers. The Delta and Netley-Libau marshes are historically significant because early human populations relied on the wildlife living there. It's just another reason why wetlands form a critical part of our protected areas network."

Restoration of the Netley-Libau and Delta marshes is being guided by a working group led by Manitoba Water Stewardship and with representatives from Ducks Unlimited Canada, the University of Manitoba, Environment Canada, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Manitoba Conservation.

"Large coastal lake marshes help to filter out excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and studies conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development have shown that restoring the Netley-Libau Marsh could reduce nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg by as much as six per cent," said Henry Venema, director of the institute's Sustainable Natural Resources Management Program.

Netley-Libau and Delta marshes are both world-renowned lake marshes. Netley-Libau Marsh is designated as a Canadian Important Bird Area and is also a candidate for designation as a Manitoba Heritage Marsh by the provincial government. Delta Marsh is a Canadian Important Bird Area, a Manitoba Heritage Marsh and a site of international significance under the Ramsar, Iran, Convention on Wetlands.

Lake Winnipeg's Netley-Libau Marsh has declined in size and lost much of its normal complement of plants. Sediment levels have also increased in the marsh's water. Lake Manitoba's Delta Marsh suffers mainly from damage caused by the common carp, a species introduced from Europe by early settlers, which destroys underwater plants critical to the marsh's function.

This year's work on the large marshes will focus on undertaking biological and engineering studies necessary to develop scientifically-sound plans to guide restoration efforts.

For more information, contact:

Karli Reimer, k_reimer@ducks.ca
National Communications Coordinator
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 204-467-3279