The Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) is one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world. Crossed by four major mig- ratory flyways, it is among the most important waterfowl nesting and staging areas in North America. In 1982, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature designated the delta as a Ramsar wetland of international significance.
While 80 percent of the PAD is protected within Wood Buffalo National Park, it is still vulnerable to many outside factors such as the effects of upstream industrial develop-ment. Flow regulation on the Peace River, along with a natural drying trend, has reduced seasonal flooding that is important in maintaining the deltaic ecosystem. Residues from upstream industrial developments have the potential to impact water quality of the delta.
Recognizing the importance of the PAD, DUC is part of the Peace Athabasca Delta Environmental Monitoring Program (PADEMP) steering committee. The committee includes representatives from First Nations, federal, provincial and territorial governments, and other non-government organizations. The PADEMP is producing a Vulnerability Report that will outline areas that need environmental
monitoring to help direct action to sustain the delta. “It’s important to work with all partners involved in the
area, including First Nations, government and industry, to identify potential impacts of development activities including hydro and oil and gas,” says Eric Butterworth, manager of DUC’s western boreal forest program. “These industries will leave a large footprint across this, and other important boreal waterfowl habitat.”
The Alberta government recently announced the Lower Athabasca Regional Land Use Plan, which protects the remainder of the PAD from industrial development. DUC was also a part of the Regional Advisory council to the Minister that worked on this government plan.
“Being able to be a part of committees like the PADEMP and regional advisory councils gives us direct input on policies and is one of our greatest opportunities to make a difference in conservation of the PAD, and other areas at risk,” says Butterworth.
The Vulnerability Report is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
DUC partnering to protect a delta of global significance
Congratulations Nature Conservancy of Canada on 50 years of conserving our natural heritage.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to be your partner in conservation.
Congratulations Nature Conservancy of Canada on 50 years of conserving our natural heritage.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to be your partner in conservation.
35Conservator | fall 2012
During Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) visit to Parliament Hill for the annual “Day on the Hill” event this past June, Wayne Pritchard, British Columbia’s provincial volunteer council chair, called on Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May to make a difference in conservation efforts in Canada. May mentioned she had never visited any DUC projects on Vancouver Island, so Pritchard did what any good host would do: he arranged a tour.
On August 15, May accepted the invitation to tour some of DUC’s projects on Vancouver Island. Accompanied by Pritchard and Dan Buffet, DUC head of conservation for the B.C. coast, May experienced not only the beautiful, but highly important wetland habitat around the island.
“It was a pleasure to visit so many of DUC’s projects in an area that is very close to my heart,” says May. “Conservation has always been important to me, so it was exciting to see the great work that’s being done.”
The helicopter tour left the Victoria airport and headed north to the Cowichan Estuary and Chemainus Estuary, which reportedly averages 1,000 waterfowl sightings per day during the migration and wintering periods. Great blue herons, bald eagles and many species of mammals are also abundant here. Nanaimo Estuary and the Nanoose Estuary, where common year-round residents include bald eagles and California quail, completed the first leg.
The return trip covered one of DUC’s newest projects, Buttertubs and West Marsh, which is home to great blue
herons, mallards and ring-necked ducks. The last pass was over Ford Lake on Salt Spring Island, a DUC project within May’s constituency of Saanich-Gulf Islands.
The wide range of projects on the tour gave May a chance to experience the diversity of project types, from acquisitions to conservation agreements, and different habitat types including farmland, freshwater wetlands and tidal wetlands. Another highlight was the diverse partnerships that DUC is part of in delivering these projects, such as the province of British Columbia, different cities and municipal districts, the Can- adian Wildlife Service and the Nature Trust of B.C.
“It was great to show her the work we do,” says Pritchard. “Her thinking is very much in line with the work of DUC. She is already very proactive in conservation and had an interest in what we do.”
Green Party leader tours coastal DUC projects
There are select people in this world who make a difference through a special combina-tion of passion and determination. Tom Sterling is one of them.
On July 18, British Columbia’s Environment Minister Terry Lake, along with representatives from Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), presented the former DUC biologist with the Premier’s Award for Conservation in recognition of his dedication and commitment to wetland con- servation in British Columbia.
In the 1960s, Sterling played a pivotal role in encouraging DUC to expand its operation into B.C. At the time, DUC was largely focused on wetland conservation in the Prairies. Sterling established key working relationships with wildlife personnel and identified prime migra-
tory areas where DUC continues to direct its conservation efforts. Sterling’s mentorship and leadership propelled the careers of many DUC waterfowl biologists.
“Tom was a founding leader for DUC in British Columbia and a mentor for many staff,” says Brad Arner, manager of provincial operations for DUC in B.C. “As a result of the passion and effort from individuals like Tom Sterling, DUC has conserved over 400,000 acres of habitat and raised the awareness of the benefits wet- lands provide for fish, wildlife and the residents of B.C.”
“For a long time, the province has relied on DUC to do some important work on behalf of the people of B.C., and be a steward of the land and conservation values that we hold
dear,” says Lake. “We owe much of this to Tom Sterling.”
The award was presented on behalf of the province and DUC, and recognizes British Columbians who are leaders in raising aware- ness for wetland conservation and demonstrate outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that conserve wetlands.
Honouring a DUC trailblazer
Left to right: Wayne Pritchard, DUC B.C. volunteer committee chair, Minister Terry Lake, award recipient Tom Sterling and Brad Arner, DUC manager of B.C. provincial operations.
Above: Vancouver Island’s Chemainus Estuary is one of the most important stops on the B.C. coast for migrating and wintering waterfowl.
