50 Years of Action for Quebec’s Wetlands

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is celebrating a major milestone this year: 50 years of presence and advocacy in Quebec. Five decades of commitments, partnerships, and real achievements in support of the wetlands, these ecosystems that are essential for biodiversity, clean water, and our quality of life!

The roots of our lasting commitment

Founded in 1938, DUC’s initial efforts focused on the Canadian Prairies, the heart of the continent’s waterfowl breeding grounds. However, in the 1960s, the work of visionary researchers—including DUC’s chief biologist, William Graeme “Bill” Leitch—highlighted the importance of migratory stopover sites in Eastern Canada to the survival of waterfowl in that area. This led to DUC expanding its operations and opening an office in the Maritimes in 1971, followed by one in Quebec five years later. A new era is born.

While the wetlands of the boreal forest were then relatively undisturbed, those in southern Quebec had largely disappeared or are severely threatened, requiring immediate attention. The riverbanks and floodplains of the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River became priorities, not to mention many other regions that also benefited from important interventions.

Protecting and managing wildlife habitats

For the past 50 years, wetland conservation has been at the heart of DUC’s work in Quebec. Our efforts have resulted in the conservation of more than 350 locations across the province, representing more than 40,000 hectares of high-quality habitats for waterfowl and a wide variety of plant and animal species.

Discover our protection team’s vital work by viewing this story map.

Beyond the protection of wetlands, DUC has developed marshes, built levees, and regulated water levels to create excellent conditions for waterfowl reproduction and high-quality migratory stopover sites.

The very first wetland restored by DUC in Quebec—in Thurso in the 1970s—marked the beginning of a long series of initiatives. Now part of Parc national de Plaisance, this marsh was the pioneer of a long-term vision. Other marshes followed suit along the Ottawa River, forming a network of increasingly interconnected and vibrant habitats.

Lac Saint-Pierre, with its vast floodplain and exceptional biodiversity, also greatly benefited from DUC’s interventions. Iconic sites in the Lavallière bay, in Saint-Barthélemy, and on the islands of the Sorel archipelago illustrate the scope of these efforts, not to mention major projects carried out in the Montreal, Montérégie, Estrie, and Abitibi regions.

Explore the various Quebec wetlands that you can visit..

Over the decades, DUC has developed cutting-edge expertise in the ecological restoration of wetlands. Thanks to this rare expertise, we can revitalize degraded environments and restore them to their full potential. This expertise is now put to work on a larger scale, particularly through the efforts of Conservation Pro, a DUC division that provides advisory services to the private sector and municipalities for the creation and management of sustainable ecosystems.

Influence for better protection

Beyond fieldwork, DUC’s influence has played a key role in shaping public policy on conservation.

DUC contributed to the creation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) in 1986, a major initiative involving Canada, the United States, and Mexico, which is the largest international partnership for the conservation of waterfowl and their habitats.

DUC has been an engaged participant in major public consultations in Quebec, including those related to the Sustainable Development Plan in 2005 and the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water adopted in 2017, which set an ambitious objective of no net loss of wetlands.

More recently, DUC has continued its advocacy work by contributing to the discussion on Bill 81, which aims to amend the legal framework governing wetlands and bodies of water. Finally, in a memorandum submitted as part of Bill 86 on the long-term preservation and vitality of agricultural land, DUC highlighted the positive role of wetlands in agricultural areas. These ecosystems help address climate challenges, including flooding and water management. DUC also emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the agricultural sector and conservation organizations to ensure sustainable agriculture.

Find out how we helped accelerate the conservation of wetlands in southern Quebec in this story map.

Better understanding for better action

Effective protection starts with better understanding. Since 2009, DUC and the Government of Quebec have been mapping the wetlands in the southern part of the province.

This map serves as a key reference tool for wetland conservation and leverages advanced technology and high-quality data. This data is the result of a close partnership with all conservation stakeholders, who validate the information at every step.

Available to the public, the interactive map allows citizens, municipalities, and organizations to better identify wetlands and plan actions to ensure their protection. This colossal undertaking continues to grow, with the goal of covering even more areas in the coming years.

Discover our mapping team’s work in this story map.

The power of partnerships

DUC owes its many accomplishments to its strong belief that conservation is a shared responsibility that requires the involvement of all citizens and organizations.

Over the years, DUC has forged strong partnerships and ties with governments, municipalities, conservation agencies, companies, and local communities. The international partnership with NAWMP has provided considerable resources, funding large-scale projects across Quebec.

Discover a great example of partnership with the Government of Quebec in this story map.

We must also highlight the vital contribution of volunteers and donors, who are at the heart of our organization’s success. Whether it’s organizing benefit dinners to raise funds, donating money and land, or participating in various wetland-related activities, their unwavering commitment gives DUC its legitimacy, strength, and ability to effect change.

Inspire and mobilize

Raising public awareness of the importance and benefits of healthy wetlands is at the heart of DUC’s mission. Many locations are open to the public, offering unique opportunities to discover fascinating ecosystems. There are youth-focused educational programs offered by the Wetland Centres of Excellence as well as various outdoor activities.

Other activities for people of all ages are organized at various locations to help the public enjoy exciting, nature-focused experience and, above all, learn more about and appreciate the wetlands.

The high turnout for the duck nest box program across the province demonstrates the commitment of our volunteers who manage such initiatives, giving them the opportunity to educate others about the importance of healthy ecosystems where waterfowl can thrive.

DUC continues to pursue its efforts to engage citizens, landowners, and professionals to accelerate the restoration and creation of wetlands. Thanks to a provincial initiative aimed at enhancing wetland restoration and creation efforts across Quebec—which is funded by the Blue Fund as part of the National Water Plan, under the Quebec Water Strategy—DUC shares its expertise and supports local initiatives to develop restoration projects. DUC is building a provincial network of volunteer ambassadors who are trained and supported to lead awareness-building initiatives and contribute to restoration research projects. This initiative strengthens our collective efforts and encourages everyone to become an agent of change.

Looking ahead to the future

Over the past 50 years, Ducks Unlimited Canada has had a tremendous impact in Quebec. Thousands of acres of protected land, developed or restored habitats, in-depth knowledge, and forward-thinking policies: our achievements are numerous and sustainable.

But our work is far from over. Wetlands remain fragile, are often highly sought after—and are all too easily disrupted.

Now more than ever, it is essential that we pursue our collective efforts. By supporting DUC, you’re helping to preserve rich, vibrant and resilient ecosystems and uphold clean water, a priceless legacy for future generations.