D

volume 30, number 4, 2009

eastern region ( )Quebec • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia

• Prince Edward Island • Newfoundland and Labrador

Quebec/atlantic

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) was pleased to partner with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) when they presented an island along Nova Scotia’s eastern coast as one of this year’s Gifts to Canadians.

Situated at the eastern tip of Martinique Beach, approximately 30 kilometres from Halifax, Bayers Island is a 79-acre archipelago of three main islands within Musquodoboit Harbour Outer Estuary that are connected by barrier beaches. It is a continuation of Martinique Beach’s tidal-cobble beach-dune habitat complex.

These diverse coastal habitat types support huge congregations of Canada geese (8,000 geese during spring migration). They are also a fall migration stop for over 3,000 green-winged teal and host a winter population of over 2,000 American black ducks, which represents one per cent of the global population. The endangered piping plover also nests and breeds on Martinique Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Nova Scotia.

DUC and NCC have a history of partnership spanning from the mid-1980s. Other partners for this land acquisition include the EJLB Foundation, ExxonMobil Canada Ltd., Fred and Elizabeth Fountain, the Government of Canada, Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust, The Shaw Group and other individuals.

The 4,756-acre Musquodoboit Harbour Outer Estuary was designated as a Ramsar site in 1987. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty signed by 155 countries enlisted in a global effort to ensure the conservation of world-class wetlands.S

DUC, NCC give a Nova Scotia Gift to Canadians

IIt’s not uncommon anytime you drive by the Brookfield Wetlands and Nature Trail in Nova Scotia to see people out enjoying the trails. This wetland in the heart of the community has indeed captured the community’s heart.

The project, a partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Lafarge Canada Inc., was officially opened on July 18. It began two years ago and has resulted in over 18 acres of restored wetland and the protection of 20 additional acres of natural area, which is owned by Lafarge. For 42 years the Lafarge Brookfield cement plant and its 80 employees have been active in the Pleasant Valley community and are continually working toward cleaner and greener operations.

Thanks to the close link between Lafarge and the local community, the need for a walking trail in the community was identified during the early stages of this project. As a result, berms were built to create 1.8 km of groomed trails for walking and biking. There are benches along the trail that were made by the Grade 10 Options and Opportunities class at South Colchester Academy, using materials donated by several local businesses.

The project was named through a community contest that received over 250 submissions from community members of all ages. The winning name, the Brookfield Wetlands and Nature Trail, was revealed in an unveiling ceremony at the opening. The winner of the contest, Sam Devlin, a Grade 7 student at South Colchester Academy, was presented with a gift voucher for a new bicycle.

“This will be a great project for waterfowl and the people of Brookfield,” says Deanne Meadus, DUC’s manager of conservation programs. “Projects like this, that provide many community and environmental benefits, are

particularly exciting. In addition, mutually beneficial partnerships with environmentally conscious corporations such as Lafarge enhance our ability to reach our wetland conservation goals.”

DUC has been working with Lafarge since 2003 to conserve wetlands and related habitats on Lafarge-owned lands and on private land in the Brookfield area.

“The long-standing relationship between Lafarge and DUC has been, and will continue to be, a very productive one that provides long-lasting benefits to the local community and the environment,” says Josh DeCoste, environmental engineer at Lafarge’s Brookfield facility. “This project exemplifies Lafarge’s commitment to protecting the environment and conserving nature, and the most satisfying result has been the great response from the community. It’s exciting to see how many community members are taking advantage of this chance to get close to nature right in their backyard.”

The Lafarge Group is a world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete and Gypsum. With 84,000 employees in 79 countries, the Group posted sales of 19.0 billion euros in 2008. Lafarge North America Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“Lafarge North America” or “Lafarge”), is a Lafarge Group company, and is the largest diversified supplier of construction materials in the United States and Canada. Lafarge Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Lafarge North America Inc., owns and operates the Brookfield cement plant. S

Community’s heart filled with wetlands

Josh DeCoste, Lafarge Canada; Deanne Meadus, Ducks Unlimited Canada; Contest winner Sam Devlin and James Kirkpatrick, Lafarge Canada, show off the sign at the newly opened Brookfield Wetland and Nature Trail.

T

O

e a s t e r n r e g i o n ( Q u e b e c / a t l a n t i c )

The Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Vél’Eau Tour 2009 for the benefit of the wetlands, which took place on Aug. 14-17, was a huge success. Marie-Claude Audet, a professional cyclist who has won acclaim at numerous national and international events, was its spokesperson. Here are her impressions of the experience:

It was with more than a little sadness that I left the group of participants in the Vél’Eau on Aug. 17, 2009, four wonderful days cycling along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. I believe this first tour was a great success. Impeccable organization, exceptional technical support and incredible people, whom I got to know during these four days. And to top everything, Mother Nature provided sun and warmth to keep us company. Who could ask for more? I was also able to share my passion for cycling and pass on some tips to my companions and it was great to see them improve throughout the ride thanks to this advice.

I would like to thank everyone involved in making this cycling premiere possible. We were treated like pros – it could have been the Tour de France! A big thank you to all the main sponsors and to those who came on board at the last minute: we greatly appreciated the delicious “Ficellos” and smoothies, as well as the bottles of water, snack bars and nectarines kindly provided by Parmalat and Métro Chevrefils at our breaks.

La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services is proud to be associated with this cause which blends in well with the company’s values. As a mutual, La Capitale is a company that works closely with people and

listens to them, and for which health and the environment are priorities. This is reflected in the company’s daily activities and in its products and services.

Next year, this great adventure will continue, and I have enthusiastically agreed to act as patron for the second Vél’Eau cycling tour, this time in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. For myself and on behalf of DUC, I encourage you to turn out in large numbers to pedal for this important cause, the preservation of our wetlands. S

On June 8, 2009, the Steering Committee of the Quebec Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) presented the 2008 Black Duck Awards. The award ceremony took place at the Pavillon de l’île du Refuge faunique Marguerite-d’Youville in Châteauguay.

The Black Duck Award has three categories:The Individual category acknowledges a volunteer or salaried

employee who has made an outstanding, sustained commitment to the plan’s goal in Quebec. This year’s recipient is Guy Lépine, senior biologist and project co-ordinator at the Fondation de la faune du Québec (FFQ).

The Long-term contribution category acknowledges the substantial contribution of an individual or organization based on its overall long-term achievements. The award goes to Héritage Saint-Bernard, a non-profit organization founded in 1987 with a mandate to oversee the management, protection and conservation of flora and fauna habitats on Île Saint-Bernard, Ruisseau St-Jean, Parc de la Commune and the Fernand-Séguin Ecological Centre.

The Organization category acknowledges the significant contribution of a non-profit or for-profit organization to the plan’s goal in Quebec. The award goes to the Comité des citoyens de Pointe-Fortune, which manages the Ruisseau à Charrette and Baie Brazeau sites, where it provides recreational and educational activities

for the general public and, more especially, students aged 10 to 14. S

The Vél’Eau Tour: An experience worth repeating!

2008 Black Duck Awards

From left to right: André Martin, CEO, FFQ; Carole Fournier, manager, Comité des citoyens de Pointe-Fortune; Nathalie Zinger, VP, Nature Conservancy Canada; recipients: Colette Barbeau, treasurer and co-ordinator, Comité des citoyens de Pointe-Fortune; Luc L'Écuyer, general manager, Héritage Saint-Bernard; and Guy Lépine, FFQ; Jean-Pierre Laniel, director, Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs ; Nicole Perreault, director, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune; Bernard Filion, director, DUC-Quebec; and Raymond Sarrazin, director, CWS, and EHJV co-ordinator.

AAn Amherst farming family that has been a great partner with DUC was recently honoured with the 2009 Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor’s Greenwing Award.

Francis and Pauline Verstraten were presented with the Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) sponsored award.

“The Verstraten Farm is a great example of a successful long-term conservation partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada,” said Gren Jones, provincial director for DUC.

The partnership began in 2001 when the Verstratens approached the non-profit organization to do some conservation planning on the farm. Francis was looking at options to protect the quality of the water by fencing cattle and creating remote watering systems. This soon turned into creating a wetland system to clean run-off from the farm and yet another wetland to increase biodiversity. The site has been established as a DUC demonstration wetland and has hosted tours including those for government officials. In addition, the Verstratens host an antique tractor show every year which profiles their wetland projects. They also donate space for DUC to have a booth at the event as well.

“We want to thank all of our partners that helped us along the way. We wouldn’t be here without your help because we couldn’t do this alone,” Pauline Verstraten said. “We believe that care of our land is paramount to our success. We try to farm as environmentally soundly as possible because this is the legacy we will be passing on to our children.”

The Honourable Mayann Francis presented the Verstratens with the award certificate and medal.

“In working closely with Ducks Unlimited, Mr. and Mrs. Verstraten have shown a commendable enthusiasm for conservation and have been true leaders in establishing an environmentally sound and sustainable agricultural operation: an operation that impinges minimally upon the area surrounding their farm,” Her Honour stated. “Your participation in the Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation plan and serving as a national demonstration site has shown a high degree of leadership and responsibility that brings credit to all Nova Scotians.”

During the ceremony, Her Honour also commended the good work that DUC does.“Yes, your organization is about waterfowl. But these wetlands are home to a wider array

of creatures and plants. Wetlands also act as natural filters, improving local water quality and the environment. And often, local economies, especially in rural areas, receive a boost. Your actions, then, become like ripples in a pond, spreading far beyond the original source.”

The Lieutenant-Governor's Greenwing Award recognizes those who have demonstrated leadership in a project or activity that has contributed to the public awareness of conserving wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl, wildlife and people. S

Ducks Unlimited Canada honours farmers eastern region ( )

The Flyway newsletter is published by

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Oak Hammock Marsh Conservation Centre

P.O. Box 1160, Stonewall, Manitoba

R0C 2Z0

tel (204)467-3000

fax (204)467-9028

toll-free 1(800)665-DUCK

Please direct your inquiries to the following:

Eastern Region

Atlantic: Kelly MacDonald

Quebec: Bernard Filion

Ontario: Lynette Mader

Western Region

Prairie-Western Boreal: Marci Dube

British Columbia: Wendy Thatcher

Flyway production staff

Director of Communications and Marketing:

Madeleine Arbez

Editor: Duncan Morrison

Assistant: Deb Menard

Art Director: Tye Gregg

Graphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie,

Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe

© Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2009

Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper

including 100% post-consumer fibres

Quebec/atlantic

area contactsManager of Provincial Operations, AtlanticTom Duffy (866) 903-8257 ext.234

Manager of Provincial Operations, QuébecBernard Filion (800) 565-1650 ext.15

Fundraising Manager, QuébecJocelyn Landry (877) 551-5757

Fundraising Manager, New Brunswick Barry Burke (888) 920-3330

Fundraising Manager, Nova ScotiaJames Young (888) 557-5554

Newfoundland and LabradorKelly Sandoval (877) 243-8257

Fundraising

Québec (West)Pascal Desmedt (877) 547-9494

Greenwing LiaisonKim Votour (888) 920-3330 ext. 3

publication agreement #40064849

Pauline and Francis Verstraten receive the Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor’s Award from Her Honour, The Honourable Mayann E. Francis.