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From left to right: Neil Downey, President, DUC; Chris Manderson, Natural Parkland Management Specialist, The City of Calgary Parks; Anne Charlton, Director, The City of Calgary Parks; His Honour, The Honourable Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Her Honour, Mrs. Mary Kwong.
Award honours Calgary’s vision for wetland conservation 
The Lieutenant Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award recognizes city’s outstanding contributions to wetland conservation in Alberta
Edmonton, AB, May 14, 2008 — The Honourable Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, and Neil Downey, President of Ducks Unlimited Canada, presented the second annual Lieutenant Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award to The City of Calgary for its commitment and leadership in conserving wetlands.
Awarded annually and sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), the Lieutenant Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated leadership in an activity that has contributed to the public awareness of wetland conservation in Alberta and/or individuals and groups demonstrating outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation.
“Wetlands are an important part of the Alberta landscape,” said the Honourable Norman L. Kwong. “It is nice to see that a major city like Calgary recognizes the valuable role of wetlands for both wildlife and people and has made significant efforts to conserve them.”
In 2004 Calgary adopted the Wetland Conservation Plan, the first of its kind for a major city in North America. It is a comprehensive plan that provides procedures for the protection of priority urban wetlands. The plan, which continues to be used today, was developed in collaboration with various levels of government, non-government organizations, and conservation agencies.
“As a rapidly growing city we place a high value on protecting natural environments within the fabric of the city,” said Anne Charlton, Director, City of Calgary Parks. “Wetlands are important to Calgarians and we want to protect and restore wetland habitat as the city develops. The Wetland Conservation Plan has played a key role in raising awareness and bringing about change.”
Wetland conservation is a community effort and DUC recognizes the many people and organizations, like The City of Calgary, who have made significant contributions to this effort. “The Lieutenant Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award plays a significant role in raising awareness for wetland conservation in Alberta,” said DUC President, Neil Downey. “Our wetland habitats are being lost at an alarming rate, up to 70 percent in settled areas of Canada. This is our way of thanking and supporting those who are helping to make a difference in wetland conservation at the local and provincial levels.”
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private, non-profit, Canadian organization. Since 1938, DUC has conserved, restored and managed millions of acres of wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl, wildlife and people.
For more information contact:
Anh Hoang, a_hoang@ducks.ca
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel : (403) 827-8762
