HomeDucks Unlimited Celebrates World Wetlands Day in BC 
Prince George BC, Feb. 1 – February 2 is World Wetlands Day in recognition of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, on this day in 1971. The following stories identify some of Ducks Unlimited's recent activities in BC that are contributing to the conservation of the province's wetlands.
Prairie Program Gets New Life in the Peace
Prince George, BC., February 1, 2000 - The celebration of World Wetlands Day on February 2 means a lot more to the people in the Peace River Region than it did a year ago. One year has passed since a successful Prairie wetland conservation program was introduced to the Peace in the form of BC Prairie Care.
"Wetland conservation is alive and well in this region of BC,'' said Murray Clark, a biologist with Ducks Unlimited in Prince George. "The habitat around the Peace River is unique because it's very much like the Prairies. It's not surprising that BC Prairie Care has flourished in its first year.''
Over 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of key waterfowl and wildlife habitat have been impacted by the program designed to conserve wetlands and associated habitats while maintaining viable agricultural lands.
The conserved habitats will benefit the region's declining populations of waterfowl species that include lesser scaup, American wigeon, northern pintail and blue-winged teal. Over sixty red or blue listed animals and plants found in the forest districts of Dawson Creek and Fort St. John that surround the BC Prairie Care program area will also benefit.
People in the Peace River Region and beyond need wetlands too. These areas act as filters that remove pollutants and provide clean water for drinking, washing and cooking. Wetlands also act as sponges that absorb water and release it slowly to recharge groundwater levels and reduce the impacts of flooding and soil erosion.
According to Clark, there is no sign of conservation activity slowing down in the year ahead.
"We're working with private landowners right now to restore drained wetlands and sign agreements that will see more upland cover conserved for nesting waterfowl and other wildlife,'' Clark said.
Contributing to the program in addition to Ducks Unlimited are: Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration; the BC Ministry of the Environment, Lands and Parks; BC Ministry of Forests; BC Ministry of Agriculture and Foods; and Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service).
New BC Wetland Conservation Partnerships Announced on World Wetlands Day
Kamloops, BC, February 1, 2000 - Wetland conservation is taking a big step forward in BC this year on World Wetlands Day celebrated February 2. A new partnership of existing wetland conservation organizations called the BC Wetlands Joint Venture Secretariat has been formed to increase the effectiveness of wetland conservation in the province.
"This joint venture unites the wetland interests of five different programs operating in different regions of BC,'' said Ian Barnett, Ducks Unlimited's field office manager in Kamloops who will be directing the activities of the secretariat. The programs that partner under the secretariat are the Pacific Coast Joint Venture, the Intermountain Wetland Conservation Program, the Boreal Forest Initiative, the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture and the Sea Duck Joint Venture. "By working together, we can increase people's commitment to wetland conservation in our province. We can also capitalize on each other's strengths to maximize conservation across BC.''
British Columbia's wetlands provide wildlife with habitat critical to survival. These areas are also important to the people of BC. Wetlands are filters that remove pollutants and provide clean water for drinking, washing and cooking. Wetlands also act as sponges that absorb water and release it slowly to recharge groundwater levels and reduce the impacts of flooding and soil erosion. By doing what comes naturally, wetlands help to improve the quality of life for people in addition to wildlife.
The BC Joint Venture Secretariat is being funded by Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Canadian Wildlife Service. The secretariat will be headquartered in DU's Kamloops office. Currently, the secretariat is seeking additional partners and funding for upcoming conservation priorities.
