Ducks migrate home for the summer

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

The provincial government distribution of a generous monetary injection of $11.6 million dollars in grant funding ensured an increased amount of wetland conservation and restoration while presenting Ducks Unlimited Canada with an opportunity to set up shop in Strathmore once again.
Ducks Unlimited recently took possession of their office in downtown Strathmore, owing to the monetary boost through the Government of Alberta’s Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP) that allows the organization to build stronger relationships, and increase their presence within the rural areas.
“I think all in all we’re hoping to get into the community again and make our presence more known than maybe it is right now,” said Warren Robb, conservation programs specialist with Ducks Unlimited. “What we’re trying to do out here, our main program is restoring wetlands and we go out and we try to target areas that have drainage on them and restore historically drained wetlands back to their natural function, the natural ecosystems, that they used to be.That’s the program we’re trying to deliver and that’s kind of where our WRRD money comes into play.”
The organization’s decision to return to Strathmore, where they had been located previously, rested in part in the community’s central location. While the town is in close proximity to favourable habitats and ecosystems, strengthening these areas may add resilience when faced with floods. In response to Alberta’s devastating floods of 2013, Ducks Unlimited realized that focus is shed on engineering solutions, but also experienced a noticeable increase in recognition towards creating strong and resilient natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, to provide protection from floods.
“Strathmore is part of the prairie pothole region, so you would see lots of little small wetlands throughout and that type of habitat is really important for water fowl,” said Ashley Rawluck, conservation specialist with Ducks Unlimited Canada. “So it’s really important to restore and maintain these small prairie potholes. Strathmore is one of the target areas of what we want to work within so it just makes sense to have an office here.”
A devastating 63 per cent of wetlands have been lost in the province’s settled areas, and figures range from 80 to 90 per cent in areas adjacent to urban centres. From the remaining wetlands, one per cent continues to be lost every two years.
Ducks Unlimited is expecting the Strathmore office to contain six staff members and are planning on working together with the community to improve the surrounding areas.
“We realized too, you can talk to somebody about a program or maybe restore some drained wetlands and they may not be ready to agree to that today, but maybe [they will] six months down the road,” said Rawluck.
Having moved into their office on June 1, the group has already started on building those connections, whether by educating kids at school or through their recent 33rd Annual Ducks Unlimited Dinner and Auction that was held in Strathmore on May 30. The message from Ducks Unlimited was clear: they are here to stay.
Ducks Unlimited will be hosting an open house and barbeque at their new Strathmore location at 101, 331 Third Avenue on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone welcome to attend.