volume 29, numBer 3, 2008

western region ( )BritishColumBiA

International wetland shines in B.C.’s Kootenays

TThe Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) covers over 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) along the Kootenay River near the town of Creston in southeastern British Columbia. It is an area of astonishing diversity – home to 265 bird, 50 mammal, 30 fish, reptile and amphibian species and many diverse plants.

This marsh complex is a vital link in a chain of wetlands stretching from the Arctic Ocean to California, sustaining a continental migration route for waterfowl such as the tundra swan and the greater white-fronted goose, and other birds such as turkey vultures and ospreys.

The CVWMA was designated as a Ramsar site in 1997 – the highest international rating for conservation areas – reflecting the global importance of this wetland gem. It was one of the first habitat conservation projects completed in B.C. by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), and is arguably our flagship project in the province.

Along with over 30 km of dikes, 31 water control structures were built in the late 1960s and early 1970s to regulate water flows for maximum benefit to wildlife. Today, those structures are at the end of their life expectancy and are in desperate need of replacement. A program to replace 25 key water control structures began in 2006, with one replace-ment completed. Three more were replaced in 2007, leaving 21 to be done over the next four or five years as funding permits.

The total cost of this extensive work will likely exceed $700,000, and efforts are under-way by both Ducks and the CVWMA society to find supportive donors.

DUC’s marketing relationship with Banrock Station Wines of Australia is producing annual revenue targeted to the CVWMA. In fact, Banrock Station general manager Tony Sharley visited CVWMA in mid-August to see first-hand how their sponsorship dollars are being allocated.

Next time you are driving through the West Kootenays, make sure you stop and spend some time at the CVWMA. It’s a world wetland treasure – right in our own backyard! S

Above: Newly-restored water control structure at CVWMA.Below: Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.

TWetland wonders of the Cariboo ChilcotinAs you have read in this issue of Conservator, the Cariboo Chilcotin landscape in B.C.’s Interior offers a diverse range of opportunities for recreational and natural enthusiasts. This region is home to 89 of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s conservation projects and a total of 276 wetlands. While impossible to showcase them all, we shine a spotlight on two wetlands that provide valuable habitat to local species of waterfowl and wildlife and offer numerous prospects to experience the great outdoors.

To the west of Williams Lake is the amazing Chilanko Marsh. Over 265 hectares (654 acres) in size (the equivalent of 503 football fields), the marsh features three separate wetland basins, including a small salt marsh. The diverse surrounding habitats include scenic Chilcotin grasslands, tall willows, aspen stands and dry conifer forests. As a conservation project in partnership with The Nature Trust of B.C., the marsh and surrounding area form a B.C. Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which was established to provide habitat for waterfowl, moose, furbearers, sharp-tailed grouse and other wildlife species. Mule deer and coyotes can also be regularly seen, and since 1984, members of the Williams Lake Field Naturalists have recorded an incredible 139 bird species.

The marsh also offers something for the history buff. Situated at the western end is a historic home site that served as ranch headquarters for a local family. Still standing today is an old ranch house built with rough-hewn timbers and dovetail joinery, as well as a sod-roofed log cabin and other outbuildings.

Access the marsh via the gravelled Puntzi Airport Road. From Highway 20, turn north at Chilanko Forks, then west onto Puntzi Airport Road. From here, two separate trails head south into the WMA; these are suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles in dry weather only. Alternatively, visitors can park on the main road and walk in or view the marsh from the road. There are few signs marking the area so it’s advisable to have a good map or air photo in hand, or ask for directions beforehand.

Wetlands like Chilanko Marsh and 100 Mile Marsh are solid proof your support of DUC is more important than ever. S

Chilanko marsh

100 mile marshNestled right in the heart of downtown 100 Mile House lies

beautiful 100 Mile Marsh. Situated on property owned by The Nature Trust of B.C., and home to a myriad of wildlife species, this marsh truly is the town’s crown jewel. On your next road trip, stop for some fresh air and stretch your legs on the short walking trail that encircles the marsh. Or bring your binocu-lars and a bird book and try your hand at birdwatching. You can pick up a bird species checklist from the South Cariboo Visitor Info Centre, which is located on the edge of the marsh. Birds commonly observed include 17 species of ducks, as well as geese, swans, grebes (pictured right), coots, rails, black-birds, marsh wrens and herons.

In 2007, a stormwater settling pond was constructed on the east side to improve the quality of water entering the marsh from the surrounding urban area. On the west side, near the footbridge that crosses the outlet stream, visitors can see the water control that maintains the marsh. This water control – a concrete weir with stop logs that allow adjustment of the water level – was rebuilt in 2004.

Access to the marsh is very easy as it is located right on Highway 97 – just turn off the highway and park at the giant cross-country skis!

Chilanko Marsh

I WIn April at Victoria’s Hotel Grand Pacific, DUC proudly hosted members of B.C.’s Legislative Assembly. In the spirit of non-partisanship, representatives from both parties gathered to enjoy an evening DUC-style and learn how their support and involvement will help wetland conservation projects in their constituencies.

The evening provided a great platform to highlight DUC’s achievements, discuss challenges and restate an ongoing commitment to conserving wetlands across B.C. DUC’s executive vice-president, Jeff Nelson, provided a national overview and applauded the B.C. government’s increasing commitment to policies aimed at protecting the environment. He also praised the theme of the 2008 B.C. budget for overturning the notion that a strong economy and a healthy environment cannot coexist. “A healthy environment is a prerequisite to a healthy and sustainable economy and is central to Ducks Unlimited’s philosophy”, Nelson said.

Manager of provincial operations Les Bogdan shone light upon DUC’s impressive track record in B.C. after DUC accepted the B.C. government’s invitation to come to B.C. 40 years ago. Providing insight into Ducks’ programs, Bogdan reflected on several collaborations with the government, including the Green Bylaws Toolkit, a useful resource for municipalities when planning community growth and expansion. He emphasized the need for the renewal of the B.C. Public Trust for Lands partnership, which in its fourth year provides conservation managers like DUC with a stable pool of funds that can be leveraged to protect habitat provincewide. Bogdan reaffirmed DUC’s position as B.C.’s leading conservation organization and encouraged the province’s political leaders to look to DUC for future partnerships.

With the theme of “Partners in Conservation,” DUC volunteers from across B.C. gathered at Harrison Hot Springs for the annual volunteer convention. In addition to enjoying the local surroundings, delegates listened to presentations from several distinguished guests, partners, DUC national directors and staff.

Ray Schultz, assistant deputy minister of the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range, offered insight into potential impacts that the mountain pine beetle will have on hydrology, range and future forests around the province. As an industry partner of DUC, EnCana Corporation's Richard Dunn, vice-president of EHS and external relations, discussed EnCana’s expanding operations in northern B.C. and identified projects in which his company and DUC are working together. The Honourable Barry Penner, B.C. Environment Minister, welcomed delegates to the Fraser Valley and spoke of the many successful programs the provincial government and DUC have jointly undertaken.

The convention was highlighted by a presentation to retiring senior director George Reifel in recognition of his long-standing commitment and support to the ducks. Tribute was also paid to Rob deGrace, a former provincial council member, who had recently passed away, and Ron Boychuk, a former DUC employee who went missing while flying an aircraft across the mountains in October 2007.

The convention wrapped up with project tours to Cheam Lake and the Chehalis River estuary led by DUC biologist Dan Buffett. Many of the delegates remarked that the weekend provided a tremendous opportunity to make and renew acquaintances, get inspired by DUC’s conservation activities and be energized to lead their local chapters. Mark your calendars for next year’s event in Salmon Arm! S

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Celebrating our partners in conservation

Ducks unlimited Canada B.C. mlA Dinner B.C. volunteer Convention

Ducks Unlimited Canada values partnerships with all levels of government, industry and non-governmental organizations. These relationships are critical to achieving DUC’s conservation vision. DUC partnerships were celebrated at two events this past spring.

Bob Clark, B.C. provincial council vice-chair and government liaison, with Deputy Premier Shirley Bond and MLA John Rustad.

Les Bogdan, B.C. Provincial manager of operations (right), lends a helping hand as DUC biologist Dan Buffett (left), leads a project tour at Cheam Lake, a DUC conservation project in the eastern Fraser Valley, for conference delegates.

TThis summer, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has been working to restore and maintain wetland projects across B.C. One of these restoration projects is Lakemount Marsh, located just east of Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley.

The marsh is the sole remnant of Sumas Lake, which was drained and diked in the 1920s for agriculture. The draining (over 10,000 hectares) represented a major his-torical loss of waterfowl habitat in this region. DUC has been working with the private landowners, Lakemount Farms Ltd., since 1982 to ensure that this piece of wetland remains intact and available to waterfowl and other wildlife. This year, Ducks will extensively upgrade the existing water control structure and further work to restore habitat in the marsh.

Along the Fraser Valley, segmentation and urbanization makes Lakemount Marsh an extremely important part of the landscape. This 105-hectare (260-acre) wetland provides critical habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl species including trumpeter swan, wood duck, mallard, American wigeon, northern pintail, canvasback, green-winged teal, ring-necked duck, gadwall, bufflehead and more. Winter survey counts have estimated as many as 1,600 waterfowl in one day, with up to 600 trumpeter swans. Great blue herons, bald eagles, and many species of mammals and amphibians also are abundant and contribute to the biodiversity of the marsh. Adjacent to Sumas Mountain Regional Park, Lakemount Marsh also acts as an extension of this parkland by buffering against outside development. Animals such as deer and bears frequently travel between the marsh and nearby mountains.

DUC is committed to maintaining important habitats like Lakemount Marsh by investing in the reconstruction of the water control structure. The structure that DUC installed in 1982 has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be extensively upgraded. Without upgrades, this structure would not be able to maintain adequate water levels. DUC staff will carry out this rebuild to ensure that this control structure can sustain this marsh for another 20 to 30 years.

Additionally, DUC and Lakemount Farms Ltd., with funding assistance from Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, are working together to improve and restore habitat. Over time, the cattails in the marsh, which are mostly afloat, have expanded to extensive stands and reduced the amount of open water. The floating cattails are difficult to manage because they cannot be controlled by changes in water levels as with sedentary cattails. This restoration work will employ an excavator to remove portions of the cattail in tar-geted areas. Reducing the cattail will provide wetland benefits for fish and other wildlife, increasing the open water and the complexity of wetland vegetation. S

Rebuilding Lakemount Marsh

The Flyway newsletter is published by Ducks Unlimited CanadaOak Hammock Marsh Conservation CentreP.O. Box 1160, Stonewall, ManitobaR0C 2Z0 tel (204)467-3000 fax (204)467-9028toll-free 1(800)665-DUCK

Please direct your inquiries to the following:Eastern Region Atlantic: Kelly MacDonald Quebec: Bernard Filion Ontario: Lynette MaderWestern Region Prairie-Western Boreal: Marci Dube British Columbia: Wendy Fister

Flyway production staffDirector of Communications and Marketing:Madeleine ArbezEditor: Duncan MorrisonAssistant: Deb MenardArt Director: Tye GreggGraphic Designers: Lindsay Pikta-Marie, Aquila Samson, Jeope Wolfe

© Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2008 Printed in Canada on 100% recycled paper including 100% post-consumer fibres

Area ContactsDirector of Regional OperationsIan Barnett, Edmonton (780) 602-3221

Manager of Provincial OperationsLes Bogdan, Surrey (604) 592-5000

Manager of Conservation ProgramsBrad Arner, Kamloops (250) 374-8307

Marketing and CommunicationsWendy Fister, Surrey (604) 592-5004

FundraisingRory Brown, Victoria (250) 652-5090

Major Gifts and Feather SocietyGordon Stewart, Surrey (604) 592-5008

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western region ( )BritishColumBiA