Where are the swans?
Royal swans are on the wane and DU Director Will Abel wants suggestions about getting hold of some breeding stock. Please contact Will on 06 362 6675.
More Flights scheduled
From next year, Flight magazine will be published three times a year in February, June and October. Submissions of stories, photos, story ideas and suggestions should be emailed to Alison Murray at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
DU rep appointed
Director Neil Candy has been appointed as a member of the Game Bird Habitat Trust Board, which distributes funding to develop and enhance the wetland
habitats of game birds and other wetland inhabitants. He attends his first meeting as a board member this month in Dunedin where 12 applications for funding will be reviewed.
What's on the telly
DU directors Dan Steele and Jim Law both appeared on TV in August. TVNZ's Matty McLean was given a tour of Blue Duck Station by Dan on the Breakfast show, and Jim and Marilyn Law's Palliser Ridge Station was featured on Country Calendar.
This episode can be watched online at www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/country-
calendar/episodes/s2020-e23 though you may need to sign up first (it's free).
Rainy day reading
New Zealand Geographic has an extensive online feature on wetlands. Go to www.nzgeo.com/stories/wetlands.
Ducks Unlimited Canada are celebrating 75 years of existence this month, October 20013. In a special souvenir issue put out by the Calgary Herald there is a piece that explains why Canada needs wetlands. In New Zealand we need wetlands to be looked after as well, so here are the reasons given by the Canadians. These are reasons New Zealand can also take to heart.
Ducks Unlimited Canada are celebrating 75 years of existence this month, October 20013. In a special souvenir issue put out by the Calgary Herald there is a piece that explains why Canada needs wetlands. In New Zealand we need wetlands to be looked after as well, so here are the reasons given by the Canadians. These are reasons New Zealand can also take to heart.
Wetland - like marshes and ponds are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world. They work behind the scenes, providing many important benefits to all Canadians.
Clean water: wetlands filter harmful pollutants from the water we drink and improve the health of our lakes and rivers.
Homes for wildlife: hundreds of species depend on wetlands for food and raising their young.
Flood and drought prevention: wetlands act like giant sponges, holding water during wet periods and releasing it during dry periods. Fun and recreation: wetlands are beautiful places for people of all ages to be active and enjoy nature.
Given all they do, it is shocking that wetlands continue to be lost. Every day up to 80 acres of wetlands are lost in Canada. Your help is needed. Join Ducks Unlimited, Canada’s conservation community at www.ducks.ca
The following are excerpts from another article in that Calgary Herald publication linking science with nature and wetlands. This is already happening with the work DUNZ has
instigated at Wairio Wetland in the Wairarapa. In Southland Waituna Lagoon is also
attracting scientific interest.
Science is helping to increase the knowledge about wetlands and what they do. Ducks Unlimited Canada biologist Owen Steele said: “As one of the Earth’s most productive ecosystems, wetlands are also among the most threatened.
“A lot of people don’t care if wetlands are a good place for ducks or frogs or anything else, society is so urbanised we’ve lost touch with nature. “But if their home is going to get washed away of they’re no longer able to drink their tap water because of disappearing wetlands, they are suddenly interested. “
Steele says if the river that runs through their town is going to be green, scummy and unattractive to walk by, they are going to sit up and pay attention.
Research in North America clearly shows the critical environmental benefits wetlands provide, which include clean water and habitat for wildlife, reducing flooding and erosion and lessening the impact of climate change.
As wetlands are lost so too are the benefits they provide. These include phosphorus removal - without wetlands more phosphorus will go into our lakes and rivers.
There is also the carbon stored in wetlands. The biological diversity and the social benefits of wetlands start adding up. Landscape changes that include roading, rail lines and pipelines can all affect wetlands.
Owen Steel said: “Things like our jobs, the economy and our health are all important issues; we need to figure out a way to link wetland protection and conservation to those issues.
“We still have a long way to go in prevention of wetland loss.”
In the heart of the prairies at the height of fall migration, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) celebrated 75 years of conservation
excellence with friends and colleagues from across North America.
A special Top of the Flyways convention took place on October 5, 2013, with events held at the historic Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba and at DUC’s national office and flagship interpretive centre at Oak Hammock Marsh.
Business session
Speakers from across North America shared thoughts on DUC’s past, present and future during an informative and inspiring business session. Flyway Showcase
Nearly 900 visitors enjoyed a sunny fall day at the beautiful Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre to learn more about wetland
conservation. Conservationists of all ages got a hands-on look at DUC’s work and its importance in their lives. From radio telemetry demonstrations to bird identification challenges, critter dipping stations and more, the marsh was buzzing with activity. Plus, the sights and sounds of fall migration provided the perfect backdrop.
The historic cabin that once marked the spot of DUC’s first conservation project at Big Grass Marsh was the focal point for a special donor dedication. The cabin now resides at Oak Hammock Marsh, and a new cairn was unveiled to recognise more than 200 donors who contributed to a special major gift campaign in honour of DUC’s 75th anniversary.
Glamorous Galas and Down-Home dinners
Two fantastic sold-out events capped off Top of the Flyways. a signature gala at the Fort Garry Hotel was a vision of style, while the Marsh Keepers Migration dinner under a tent at Oak Hammock Marsh provided attendees with a spectacular setting to view results of DUC’s conservation work.
Saluting leaders, honouring legacies
Throughout its history, DUC has benefited from many pioneering and visionary leaders. Thirty-eight different men have served in the important and influential position of DUC President. Thirteen of DUC’s living past presidents joined delegates at the Top of the Flyways convention, and were honoured during a special ceremony.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) pats its own back – and so they should. It has been 75 years in the making, but they say wetland and waterfowl conservation has only just begun.
DUC celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2013. That’s three-quarters of a century of work conserving critical wetlands including marshes and ponds.
Together, they have conserved 6.4 million acres (approx 2589988ha) and completed nearly 9,400 habitat conservation projects. Building on the strong foundation developed by the founders back in 1938, DUC is continuing their rich tradition of wetland conservation and writing a new chapter for waterfowl, wildlife and all Canadians.
Read more about the DU Canada celebrations here.
Ducks Unlimited Canada members Len and Pat Everett spent several months in New Zealand this year, partly to avoid winter at home in British Columbia. They visited the Whakamanu Wildlife Trust sanctuary at Manunui near Ruapehu and enjoyed helping out with a North Island brown kiwi’s health check-up. The Canadian couple visited several of our members and wetlands, and spent time fishing and playing golf, and helping their son and partner move into a home they had just bought in Wellington.
On their return home to Canada, Len was honoured with a special award at a DUC 80-50 Anniversary Celebration (80 years in Canada and 50 years in BC) for 30 years of service to DUC and the wetlands of BC.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) elected David Blom as its 43rd president at the organisation’s national board of directors’ meeting in Calgary, Alta. The Calgary businessman credits the conservation influences of family and friends for fostering his passion for water, wildlife and the environment. Blom has been volunteering with DUC for more than 30 years.
“I was raised with the attitude that we all have a responsibility to leave the land in a better state than how we found it,” says Blom. “It’s an honour to serve as Ducks Unlimited Canada’s president, and to help lead efforts that are conserving critical natural areas across the country.”
Established in 1938, DUC has been conserving wetlands for 79 years. Wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems. In addition to providing essential habitat for a host of wildlife, they also naturally filter pollutants from water, guard against flooding and drought and store carbon that would otherwise end up in the atmosphere. To date, DUC has secured more than 6.4 million acres through 10,366 habitat projects.
DUC is backed by a conservation community of more than 137,000 people who are taking action in support of wetlands and wildlife. This includes more than 5,900 volunteers who help promote the importance of wetland conservation in the lives of all Canadians. The role of president is DUC’s top volunteer position.
“David brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the presidential role,” says Karla Guyn, DUC’s chief executive officer. “His business acumen is second-to-none, but most importantly his belief in the mission will inspire others to join us on our conservation journey.”4/12
David Blom
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organisations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment.
For more information, contact:
Ashley Lewis, Communications Specialist, Ducks Unlimited Canada
204-467-3252 (office)
PO Box 1160
204-941-3097 (cell)
Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.ducks.ca.