• About DUC
• Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation
• How You Can Help
• DUC In Your Province
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Wetland & Waterfowl Conservation

• Value of Wetlands
• Waterfowl Conservation Plan
• Current Issues
• Canadian Priorities
• Conservation Programs
• Boreal Forest
• Native Plants
• Pintail Initiative
• Winter Wheat
• Conservation Research
• Conservation Leaders

DUC’s conservation efforts are firmly guided by cutting-edge science and environmental and wetland research. Learn more about how conservation research guides DUC’s wetland conservation.

 

DUC’s Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Programs

Canada has always been a rich area for wetlands and waterfowl habitat. In fact, these Canadian habitats have traditionally supported around 70 per cent of North America’s waterfowl production.

Unfortunately, these natural areas continue to vanish. As much as 70 per cent of Canada’s original wetlands have been lost in some areas of the country. Wetland loss and habitat loss not only affects waterfowl, but the lives of all Canadians.

Conservation Programs

That’s why Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is committed to wetland conservation. These habitats benefit both wildlife and people. DUC’s conservation programs are built upon the following principles:

• Habitat programs focusing on areas with the greatest potential to attract breeding waterfowl and provide successful nesting sites.
• Conservation programs emphasizing permanent protection of native and naturalized habitats.
• Working cooperatively with landowners and land-users to improve the productive ability of entire landscapes for waterfowl.
• Preserving or restoring, where possible, the ecological function of landscapes.
• Conservation initiatives that contribute to the overall health of the land and provide benefits to both people and wildlife.
• Habitat programs minimizing long-term management costs.
• A commitment to the constant evaluation and adaptation of conservation through scientific research, new information or circumstances.

Habitat Conservation Goals

DUC works to restore Canadian landscapes to support the annual life cycle needs of waterfowl at a national level. In order to achieve this, four major habitat goals have been embraced that broadly capture DUC’s conservation programs:

Goal 1: No loss of wetlands with value to waterfowl

Goal 2: Restore wetlands to support waterfowl

Goal 3: No loss of upland cover with value of waterfowl

Goal 4: Restore upland cover to improve habitat conditions for waterfowl

DUC’s conservation programs are designed to complement each other. This greatly improves the productivity of Canada’s landscapes to support and produce waterfowl in accordance with DUC’s conservation vision.