Long-standing partnership continues to expand; bring the whole family to enjoy DUC’s B.C. convention!; aging infrastructure drives conservation efforts; celebration of wetland conservation at Shelter Point Farms; Rice leads by example on volunteer front
A cairn at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary commemorates Fred Auger former DUC president and founding member of the B.C. Waterfowl Society. VOLUME 32, NUMBER 2, 2011 WESTERN REGION ( ) BRITISH COLUMBIA I In 1961, a diverse group of B.C. businessmen, scientists, academics and wildlife managers formed the British Columbia Waterfowl Society (BCWS). e group was established to conserve critical habitat for waterfowl with a focus on the Fraser River Delta. Key among the group of founding members was a new resident of British Columbia, then DUC president Fred Auger. In 1963, the group established the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary through a 30-year lease with George H. Reifel on a large portion of upland habitat adjacent to Crown-owned tidal flats. Reifel leased the land to the BCWS for just one dollar a year. In 1972, George H. Reifel giſted the area to the federal government on two conditions: first, that the property stays a waterfowl refuge in perpetuity and second, that it remains named aſter his late father. In 1969, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) was invited to assist with the creation and enhancement of the many wetland habitats at the sanctuary. e Southwest Marsh project within the sanctuary was DUC’s first conservation project on the B.C. coast and gave DUC a high-profile presence in the Lower Mainland. is was the start of a long-standing relationship based on a common goal to conserve waterfowl habitat in B.C.’s coastal region. “From creating and enhancing valuable habitat at the sanctuary 40 years ago, the relationship has expanded to a multi-pronged approach to conservation in the Fraser River Delta,” says George C. Reifel, former DUC president and grandson of the sanctuary’s namesake. Having contributed over $800,000 to date, the BCWS has been a major funding partner for DUC’s education, habitat management and research programs. “BCWS and DUC are like-minded organizations,” explains Reifel. BCWS is a volunteer-based organization whose primary focus is the management and use of the sanctuary and the adjacent landscape for the long-term benefit of waterfowl. DUC has professional staff with the expertise and the ability to manage projects and programs. “BCWS is able to assist DUC programs with the use of the sanctuary facilities and financial resources while DUC is able to leverage BCWS funding and provide the oversight to maximize the benefit to waterfowl”, says Reifel. “It has been a win-win situation for both organizations.” S Long-standing partnership continues to expand
Transcript
A cairn at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary commemorates Fred Auger former DUC president and founding member of the B.C. Waterfowl Society.
volume 32, numBer 2, 2011
western region ( )BritishcolumBia
IIn 1961, a diverse group of B.C. businessmen, scientists, academics and wildlife managers formed the British Columbia Waterfowl Society (BCWS). The group was established to conserve critical habitat for waterfowl with a focus on the Fraser River Delta. Key among the group of founding members was a new resident of British Columbia, then DUC president Fred Auger.
In 1963, the group established the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary through a 30-year lease with George H. Reifel on a large portion of upland habitat adjacent to Crown-owned tidal flats. Reifel leased the land to the BCWS for just one dollar a year. In 1972, George H. Reifel gifted the area to the federal government on two conditions: first, that the property stays a waterfowl refuge in perpetuity and second, that it remains named after his late father.
In 1969, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) was invited to assist with the creation and enhancement of the many wetland habitats at the sanctuary. The Southwest Marsh project within the sanctuary was DUC’s first conservation project on the B.C. coast and gave DUC a high-profile presence in the Lower Mainland. This was the start of
a long-standing relationship based on a common goal to conserve waterfowl habitat in B.C.’s coastal region.
“From creating and enhancing valuable habitat at the sanctuary 40 years ago, the relationship has expanded to a multi-pronged approach to conservation in the Fraser River Delta,” says George C. Reifel, former DUC president and grandson of the sanctuary’s namesake. Having contributed over $800,000 to date, the BCWS has been a major funding partner for DUC’s education, habitat management and research programs.
“BCWS and DUC are like-minded organizations,” explains Reifel. BCWS is a volunteer-based organization whose primary focus is the management and use of the sanctuary and the adjacent landscape for the long-term benefit of waterfowl. DUC has professional staff with the expertise and the ability to manage projects and programs. “BCWS is able to assist DUC programs with the use of the sanctuary facilities and financial resources while DUC is able to leverage BCWS funding and provide the oversight to maximize the benefit to waterfowl”, says Reifel. “It has been a win-win situation for both organizations.” S
Long-standing partnership continues to expand
MMany people can identify Ducks Unlimited Canada's (DUC) work by the water control structures located at the outlet of conservation projects. These structures were put in place to maintain optimum water levels in the wetland and provide habitat for waterfowl and many other fish and wildlife species. Without these man-made water controls, many wetlands would either be lost completely to drainage or become much less productive.
DUC has more than 700 water control structures at some 568 conservation projects across British Columbia. The first structures were built in the late 1960s, with construction peaking in the late 1970s to mid-1980s. Originally made of steel, these water controls were designed to last 25 to 30 years.
DUC engineering staff frequently check all structures and forecast maintenance and replacement needs. Over the years, they have learned that many structures lasted or outlived their designed life but a significant number were deteriorating at a faster rate due to the corrosive nature of some water systems. With the average age of the water controls now approaching 30 years, a large number have reached their designed life and must be rebuilt or removed.
Each year a significant portion of DUC’s annual budget is allocated to water control inspection and maintenance. Costs of materials and labour continue to rise. And construction methods have changed. While concrete and plastic have replaced steel as the materials of choice and are contributing to an increased life expectancy of 30 to 50 years, the costs associated with rebuilding are significantly higher than when these water controls were first constructed. Nowadays rebuilds must be prioritized and planned to ensure sufficient funding is in place.
DUC is faced with the challenge of rebuilding the existing wetland infrastructure so these productive conservation projects and the habitat they provide are sustained well into the future. During the coming years, there is a good chance that you will see staff either planning for future rebuilds or overseeing construction at projects on Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, the Kootenays and the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.
Funds raised through community dinners and other initiatives across the province help to offset some of the costs for rebuilds. With your support, the waterfowl and wildlife habitat legacy that Ducks Unlimited Canada has created will continue for years to come. S
Aging infrastructure drives conservation efforts
This newly constructed water control is expected to sustain this wetland’s productivity for the next 30 to 50 years.
Signs of deterioration plagued this steel water control. Rebuilding water controls such as this will drive much of DUC’s conservation efforts in B.C. in the near future.
Bring the whole family to enjoy Ducks Unlimited Canada's B.C. convention!July 7-10 Courtenay Fish & Game ClubComox Valley
The event holds something for all ages, with archery, trap and skeet shooting, cowboy action shooting, fishing, kayaking and many other activities.
Our business sessions will offer a host of helpful information while providing a chance for you to socialize with fellow Ducks volunteers from across the province.
Register at www.ducks.ca/bcconvention before May 31 for your chance to win a $350 cash prize!
Thanks to our 2011 Convention Sponsors: Great Blue Heron Framing CompanyLafargeThe Nature Trust of British ColumbiaRoyal Bank of CanadaTimberWest
w e s t e r n r e g i o n ( B r i t i s h c o l u m B i a )
OOyster River on Vancouver Island’s east coast is a key stopover for migrating waterfowl. Thanks to a combination of land donation, conservation covenant and purchase, Ducks Unlimited Canada and partners have made significant progress in protecting the local watershed, including 520 acres of wetlands, farmland and forest at Oyster River, between Campbell River and Courtenay.
While much of this project and its tremendous wildlife values were shared in the winter 2011 issue of the Conservator, this photo montage captures some of the highlights of the official public event which also marked World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 at Shelter Point Distillery. S
Celebration of wetland conservation at Shelter Point Farms
A packed house at Shelter Point Distillery gathered to listen to Les Bogdan recap DUC’s storied history at Shelter Point Farms and the farms’ value to trumpeter swans, wigeon, snow geese and other waterfowl.
Terry Tebb of the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF). The PSF and DUC have joined forces on many initiatives over the years as much of B.C.’s coastal estuaries offer prime migratory areas for both our feathered and finned friends.
A strong environmental ethic runs through the blood of Evans family members who came out in full force to celebrate the Oyster River conservation projects.
Patrick Evans and local MLA Don McRae joined guests to take a quick helicopter tour to see Shelter Point Farms and the Oyster River watershed.
UUndoubtedly Shawn Rice, chair of the Prince George Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) spring fundraiser, was more than deserving of his nomination for Prince George Citizen of the Year in 2010.
A DUC volunteer for 16 years, Rice’s involvement in the Prince George community includes an impressive list of organizations. His activities include everything from being co-chair and marketing director for the World Baseball Challenge to president of the Prince George Minor Hockey Association.
Volunteering with a whole host of organizations in his community benefits DUC, explains Rice. “We have created a bit of a volunteer family here where we help each other out.” Known for his active recruitment of committee members, Rice admits that the latest additions to the committee are people he met through his other volunteer work. One such example is Rice’s co-chair for the World Baseball event. When Rice asked him to get involved with DUC, he could hardly say no. And Rice knows that a large committee can get more work done and raise more money for DUC.
A large 20-member committee is only one benefit of all his networking. “The relationships made through my other work help to sell tickets and to increase donations,” says Rice. As he meets people through other volunteer activities it is easier to approach them to support DUC.
And all of this adds up to one very successful committee. The Prince George event had its best fundraising effort in 23 years in 2010. But Rice isn’t satisfied with maintaining the status quo. His next goal is to make the event one of DUC’s Top 100.
Ken Ferris, fundraising manager for northern B.C., agrees that Rice is not one to rest on his laurels and says he is constantly trying to improve the event. “He is very dedicated and driven to support DUC and he inspires others to do the same.”
Rice confesses to being a busy guy and he is quick to mention that he couldn’t do it without the support of his wife. In addition, he humbly admits to using every spare moment to volunteer including much of his annual leave from work, evenings and weekends. Rice says, “I love the outdoors and the people I volunteer with. It is a great committee.” And that, he believes, makes all the effort worthwhile. S
The Flyway newsletter is published by Ducks Unlimited CanadaOak Hammock Marsh Conservation CentreP.O. Box 1160, Stonewall, ManitobaR0C 2Z0 tel (204)467-3000 fax (204)467-9028toll-free 1(800)665-DUCK
Please direct your inquiries to the following:Eastern Region Atlantic: Krista Elliott Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Joanne BarbazzaWestern Region British Columbia: Wendy Thatcher Alberta: Anh Hoang Saskatchewan: Tom Jordens Manitoba: Karli Reimer
Flyway production staffCommunications and Marketing Director: Sandy GousseauEditor: Duncan MorrisonAssistant: Deb MenardManager Creative Services: Lindsay Pikta-MarieGraphic Designers: Christa Edwards, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe
