2016 Accomplishments from DUC’s conservation community

1. Wetlands

Waterfowl and other wildlife live, feed and breed in wetlands, but humans also depend on them for improved water quality, flood protection, erosion reduction and greenhouse gas reduction.

With your help, Ducks Unlimited Canada is bringing wetland restoration to new urban frontiers: cities are adopting wetlands as natural infrastructure for stormwater retention and naturalized golf course water features are helping wildlife, water quality and recreational experiences.

Throughout 2016, we’ve worked hard to protect existing wetlands across the country. DUC volunteers and partners battled invasive species like European water chestnut or invasive phragmites head-on.

2. Grasslands

Up to 75 per cent of native grasslands in Prairie Canada are gone, but we’re making improvements to nurture a working landscape that benefits wildlife and people alike.

We’ve formed strong relationships with farm families to help conserve the most from their land. We’ve partnered with producers through innovative forage programs that help feed livestock while providing waterfowl with critical nesting habitat.

3. Boreal Forest

The boreal forest covers more than half of Canada. There are an estimated 1.2 billion acres (485 million hectares) of intact forest and wetlands in the region. Fifteen million ducks nest in and around its wooded wetlands.

Thanks to your support, our dedicated boreal team spent 2016 balancing conservation and development by performing groundbreaking waterfowl research, guiding innovative industry practices and building meaningful relationships with indigenous communities.

4. Water

Water is our lifeblood, but it can also cause havoc without mitigation from wetlands.

In 2016, DUC researched the ecological and economical benefits of wetlands and their waters. We’re performing long-term research to understand how watersheds can impact our communities. We’re measuring how they help mitigate effects of climate change by storing greenhouse gases. We’re spreading the word about the importance of water to help more Canadians understand the need to protect it.

5. Waterfowl

Dedicated supporters like you have helped DUC become the authority on wetlands and waterfowl.

In 2016 we celebrated the Migratory Birds Convention Centennial, but there is still so much to learn about these creatures. Innovations in technology have revealed that many migratory birds fly farther and faster and take more varied routes than previously thought. DUC’s habitat conservation has helped North American duck populations hold steady. We’ve seen great population numbers for most waterfowl species in 2016, with an estimated 48.4 million breeding ducks.

6. Wildlife

We conserve habitat that allows thousands of plants and animal species to thrive.

Populations of many species of plants, animals and insects are healthy and secure, but a growing number of them are in trouble. DUC has gained insight into how habitat loss, climate change and environmental contaminants are among the reasons for their decline. We’re trying to understand ecological networks, such as the mutually beneficial relationship between wetlands and pollinators like bees, or how wetlands help us understand and prevent threats to Canada’s recreational fisheries.