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Future conservationists take on a Canadian Wetland Adventure 
Local teens learn how to be green in their future careers
Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., July 29, 2010 — 17-year-old Alex Webb of Marion, Arkansas is sharpening his skills for a career in the world of science and the environment, while learning about some of Manitoba’s world-class wetlands.
Webb is one of two participants from the United States who joins 10 other Canadian teens at Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) Canadian Wetland Adventure Camp in Manitoba from August 7 to 13. He was selected from a wide range of enthusiastic teens from DUC’s sister camp in Arkansas for a Canadian wetland adventure of a lifetime to learn more about conservation.
“Conservation is important to me because it helps look after the wildlife that we like to hunt and helps protect the important habitat they live in,” says Webb.
This elite group of future conservationists will visit Oak Hammock Marsh and Delta Marsh in Manitoba this week, studying wetlands and waterfowl alongside some of the country’s top wetland biologists. And although there’s plenty of fun planned, the experience will help give Webb the skills and knowledge that will provide a great advantage for him in future studies and work endeavors.
“These 12 outdoor-savvy teens will love working with DUC scientists and interpreters to learn more about wetlands and the waterfowl and wildlife that depend on them,” says Rick Wishart, director of education for DUC. “Plus, this week’s events and activities will help the campers as they focus on their future careers in science and environmental studies.”
Throughout the action-packed week, the group will meet new friends, learn wilderness skills and wetland ecology and participate in exciting activities like duck and songbird banding, radio telemetry, invertebrate sampling, geocaching, decoy carving, wilderness survival, camping, canoeing, and much more.
“The beauty of this camp is that we’re out there creating relationships with nature,” says Nathalie Bays, education coordinator for Oak Hammock Marsh and an organizer of the Canadian Wetland Adventure. “Our goal is to raise awareness about wetland and upland conservation, but getting hands-on is the way to do it. Then, the desire to conserve just falls into place.”
As for Webb, he’s looking forward to seeing different parts of Canada and the marshes we have up here, since they don’t have marshes like we do in Arkansas. “I think attending this camp will be a great opportunity because I will be able to learn a bunch of new things in a different country and I can learn more about wetlands and waterfowl. This really is a chance of a lifetime! ,” he said.
This new camp draws on DUC’s 15 years of experience with its highly successful Great Greenwing Adventure. This new camp is designed for young people who are already on their way to becoming conservation leaders in their own communities. It provides a chance to learn first-hand about DUC’s important conservation work in a fun and interactive way with other like-minded youth from across Canada.
The Canadian Wetland Adventure Camp runs until August 13, and is based at Oak Hammock Marsh and Delta Marsh in Manitoba.
For more information, contact:
Duncan Morrison,
d_morrison@ducks.ca
National Marketing and Communications
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: 204-467-3202
