Continuing 75 years of preservation

Times Contributor

 

Wheatland County is rich in ponds and wetland areas. Within a 160 km radius of Strathmore, there are 182,850 acres of wetland and upland habitat, with 171 projects under Ducks Unlimited Conservation (DUC) care. Each season, a unique variety of migratory birds pass through this area. Residents enjoy taking a walk on the wild side, to watch wild birds feeding or in flight. 

DUC knows that preservation of wetland areas requires vigilance. They estimate that every 24 hours, up to 80 acres of wetlands, the equivalent of about 45 soccer fields, are lost in Canada. 

In a move to slow some of that loss, DUC recently purchased Buffalo Hills Ranch, located in the Milo area. Milo is about 1 hour southeast of Strathmore. 

Dan Buell, Conservation Program Specialist for DUC, is excited about the project. 

“It is pretty unique. It is all native prairie, never been broken up. If you look at it from the air, it is virtually an island surrounded by cropland,” said Buell.

Buell said that DUC knew if they didn’t purchase the land, its native prairie habitat would not have remained. DUC is beginning with plans for wetland restoration on the site and examining appropriate grazing programs, as the land will continue to be a working ranch. The public will be able to visit the ranch and Buell said the ranch will open sometime in June. 

To control further loss, it is also important that existing DUC sites be maintained. Buell said there are a lot of older DUC sites that need infrastructure improvement. Weather always plays a part in breeding success. The local areas are a bit dry this year, with wetter areas appearing closer to rivers. For the canvas back ducks, which return to birthing grounds to lay eggs, it may affect their numbers. He also said there are concerns around the declining number of Northern Pintail and American Widgeon. For more DUC information, see www.ducks.ca 

DUC receives funds from multiple sources: Government grants, private donations, investments, shared US/Canada partnership funds, and funds from fundraising dinners. They are asking residents to help with preservation efforts, by supporting their fundraiser that will be held on June 1 at the Strathmore Civic Centre. It is DUC’s 75th Anniversary and the 31st annual banquet in Strathmore. Over the years, this area has raised $1,148,827, to support DUC’s important work.

“If you love the outdoors and want to have a fun, social evening while supporting a good cause, mark your calendars and buy your tickets for our 31st annual event, ” says Art Harris, DUC’s Strathmore committee chair. “It’s a great opportunity for people in the area to get together in a really fun way and raise money for DUC’s wetland conservation work across Alberta. The entire event is put on by local DUC volunteers and is generously supported by many local businesses. The live and silent auctions are the highlight of this event, and there are some really great items such as wildlife prints, all types of gear for the outdoor enthusiast, carvings and sculptures, plus many items donated by local businesses.” 

The event will be at the Strathmore Civic Centre on June 1 and tickets can be purchased by calling Shorty Setliff at 403-934-3118, or purchased online at ducks.ca/event. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call Janet Shmorong at 403-644-2420, or email janetshmorong@figment.ca.