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DUC commends the B.C. Ministry of Environment’s announcement on April 13 designating two Fraser Valley wetlands — Serpentine Marsh in Surrey and McGillivray Slough in Chilliwack — as wildlife management areas.
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DUC praises protection of Fraser Valley wetlands 
Surrey, B.C., April 14, 2009 —Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) commends the B.C. Ministry of Environment’s April 13 announcement designating 71 hectares along the Serpentine River in south Surrey and 915 hectares of valuable wildlife habitat at McGillivray Slough, west of Chilliwack, as wildlife management areas (WMA).
“Increasing urban expansion and agricultural development have caused more than 85 per cent of Lower Mainland wetlands to be lost,” commented Les Bogdan, B.C. manager of provincial operations for DUC. “Protecting Serpentine and McGillivray Slough ensures a healthy and abundant environment for waterfowl, wildlife and people.”
Designating these wetland areas as WMAs has been the culmination of years of effort by conservation organizations. In partnership with the provincial government, DUC has co-managed Serpentine Marsh for nearly 25 years. For McGillivray Slough, DUC provided waterfowl and wetland information to guide efforts to conserve this critical habitat on the Fraser River floodplain. McGillivray Slough has been renamed the Bert Brink WMA in honour of the late Dr. Vernon Brink, one of B.C’s pioneering conservationists and the 2007 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Greenwing Conservation Award sponsored by Ducks Unlimited Canada.
The Serpentine WMA is 71.3 hectares of freshwater ponds, river marshes and managed farm fields providing critical resting and feeding areas for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife along the Pacific Flyway corridor. It is one of many protected areas along the Fraser River Delta used annually by millions of migratory birds. The complex’s agricultural lands are managed as annual forage crops which attract waterfowl and reduce crop damage on adjacent farm fields.
“Serpentine WMA is a wonderful example of agriculture and wildlife interests working together to provide long term benefits for present and future generations,” remarked Bogdan.
The importance of wetlands goes far beyond the valuable habitat they provide to hundreds of bird and wildlife species. Wetlands are valued for their vast biodiversity and role in mitigating the risk of droughts and floods, improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, helping sequester carbon dioxide emissions and providing recreational opportunities.
Ducks Unlimited Canada conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. DUC has been committed to wetland conservation for more than 70 years.
For more information contact:
Wendy Fister w_fister@ducks.ca
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (604) 312-4632
