Major investments in the Prairie Pothole Region

Most people do their best to steer clear of potholes. Waterfowl, on the other hand, seek them out for survival. In this case, potholes are shallow wetlands that provide prime breeding habitat for millions of North America’s migratory birds. Thanks to funding accessed through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and significant support from three generous philanthropists, DUC is keeping more of these productive potholes on the Canadian Prairies.

Over the past three years, DUC accessed $15.48 million through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Funds were used to protect 29,180 acres (11,809 hectares) of prime wetland and surrounding habitat. Of these protected areas, 3,830 acres (1,550 hectares) were restored. This returns important habitat back to the landscape where it provides a host of other environmental benefits. Clean water, flood and drought prevention as well as recreation opportunities all flow from these projects.

If it seems unusual that projects in the Prairies are being funded with legal settlement money from an event that took place in the Gulf of Mexico, it’s not.

“Affected species require support at every stage of their migration journey,” says Scott Stephens, DUC’s director of regional operations for the Prairies.  “Investing in Canadian habitat that’s key to nesting populations is one of the best ways to ensure the health and well-being of North America’s migratory birds.”

Conservation supporters help access Migratory Bird Treaty Act funding

Results of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act funding will benefit waterfowl conservation for generations to come. But accessing the money wasn’t easy. Before applications could be approved, DUC needed to match the grants dollar for dollar.

“Support from our donors was the only way we could secure these all-important matching funds. Until three generous individuals stepped up, we had no way to access the funding available,” says Stephens.