Recognition of the Quatse Estuary

Port Hardy, B.C.—Partners who will look after a new Wildlife Management Area in the Quatse estuary unveiled a new sign for the project on Friday.

The Quatse estuary is considered one of the top 10 estuary habitats on Vancouver Island, providing critical rearing and spawning habitat for Pacific salmon as well as wintering habitat to thousands of migratory birds.

“Whenever we can protect a critical piece of critical habitat for future generations it is always a good news story,” said Brad Arner, Manager of Provincial Operations for Ducks Unlimited Canada.

In 2013, the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations designated 157 hectares of the estuary as the Quatse Estuary Wildlife Management Area. Going forward, the BC Ministry will manage the area through a partnership of organizations called the Vancouver Island Conservation Land Management Program, which consists of the Province of British Columbia, Environment Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and The Nature Trust of British Columbia. Along with funding from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, these partners secure and conserve wetlands and other habitats on Vancouver Island.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment.

Contact Information

Dan Buffett
Head of Conservation Programs – BC Coast
604-329-8237
d_buffett@ducks.ca