Jason Power – Volunteering with DUC – The Perfect Fit

Jason Power of Canning, N.S. has always been interested in wildlife conservation and is set on making it his career. As a student at Acadia University, volunteering with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is an ideal fit for Power. Not only is he gaining valuable experience for his future vocation, he is also giving back by volunteering in his community. Currently, Power sits on the DUC Kentville fundraising committee – something he has been doing for the past five years. He has recently widened his volunteer commitment as a representative on the Nova Scotia DUC Provincial Council – playing a role in DUC initiatives and issues that affect the entire province.

Power got involved with DUC because he was looking for something tangible where he could lend his time. He discovered the work of DUC and has not looked back. Along with his work on various DUC fundraising committees, Power recently assembled a group of volunteers to build wood duck nest boxes that were installed at local marshes. The nest boxes will be monitored for occupancy every spring. Power and his group of fellow volunteers are now eagerly awaiting the results.

“I really enjoy my volunteer work with DUC,” says Power. “Not only am I seeing a difference on the ground through our nest box project, I also see the increasing level of interest in DUC within my community.”

“Jason has been a great volunteer for the Kentville committee,” says Jamie Young, DUC fundraising manager in Nova Scotia. “He is always willing to help out in any way that he can and he brings a whole new perspective to the table because of his wildlife conservation studies at Acadia.”

“National Volunteer Week is our chance to honour our nearly 7,000 volunteers across Canada, and in particular, our young volunteers who are introducing a whole new generation to DUC,” says Loraine Nyokong, DUC national director of fundraising and membership. “Volunteers like them are the ‘rising stars’ of our organization. The fact that they recognize the importance of wetland conservation and are spreading the word is fantastic, not only for DUC, but for all Canadians.”

“I like that DUC works locally and yet is affecting Canadian and continental waterfowl populations,” says Power. “It is a great feeling and makes me proud to be a DUC volunteer.”

With the support of volunteers like Power, DUC recently completed its Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign – the largest conservation fundraising campaign ever undertaken in North America. Working alongside Ducks Unlimited, Inc. in the United States and Ducks Unlimited Mexico, DUC contributed to waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation, water quality as well as recreational and learning opportunities for people of all ages.

DUC could have not achieved these conservation goals without the generous support of its volunteers and supporters. Power and other conservation-minded individuals like him from across Canada will continue to be the driving force behind ongoing efforts to stop wetland loss.