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80,000 Snow Geese carry the message about farmland habitat in Delta 
Delta, B.C. October 27, 2005 —As thousands of Snow Geese escape the cold Artic in record numbers to converge on farmlands of the Fraser River delta this winter, the message that farmland is a precious resource for people and wildlife hits home.
The arrival of these stunning migratory birds heralded the kickoff of the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust’s (DFWT) Farmland Awareness Campaign today—launched with the financial support of Vancity Savings Credit Union. The Farmland Awareness Campaign will offer farm/wildlife tours, signage, and a new website.
“Farmland has always been both a critical habitat for wildlife, and a vital food source for people,” says wildlife biologist Markus Merkens of DFWT. “Winter is one of the most difficult challenges for migrating birds. The loss of farmland resources on the Fraser River delta would have significant consequences not only for the Snow Geese, but also for the 300 other bird species that live on or travel through the delta during annual migration.”
Dan Buffett, a waterfowl habitat specialist for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), has also been working with farmers to adopt sustainable practices that maximize farmland benefits both for producers and migratory birds—millions of which use farmlands to feed and rest on their long distance migrations.
“Since the 1930s our approach at Ducks Unlimited Canada is to work with individual farmers to improve wetland and farmland conditions,” says Buffett. “Sometimes this means installing a dam or coming up with a long-term plan that helps both agriculture and wildlife. Other times we purchase land or make agreements with landowners to ensure natural habitat is conserved.”
“What we need to do now is increase the public’s knowledge about this issue, and hopefully expand farmland conservation throughout the region, says Merkens. “Now it’s up to the public to make it an issue worth supporting.”
In addition to Vancity’s grant, DUC, Choices Market, Lower Mainland Vegetable Distributors, and Friesen Equipment supported the Farmland Awareness Campaign kickoff.
For more detailed information on Delta Wildlife and Farmland Trust go to www.deltafarmland.ca
For more information:
Ellen Baragon e_baragon@ducks.ca
Ducks Unlimited Canada, Surrey, BC
(604) 592-5004
