The hard work of a Courtenay organization, passionate about protecting local wetlands and devoted to restoration efforts, has earned it a prestigious conservation award.

The Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association is the winner of the Province of British Columbia and Ducks Unlimited Canada Conservation Award for 2014-15. The award recognizes the dedication and contributions of an organization for all of its conservation work.

The non-profit community organization is made up of approximately 2, 500 members dedicated to conservation, restoration and wildlife management. Members help run a hatchery to re-stock the Trent River, lead habitat restoration projects in local streams and every spring, clear an average of 8,000 kilograms of garbage from the roadside - that’s the equivalent weight of about five mid-sized cars!

Association members also monitor fish stocks in local lakes, help trap and relocate Roosevelt elk throughout Vancouver Island and award two $1, 000 bursaries to local high school students each year. Members are also B.C. Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education Program instructors, teaching conservation principles to the public.

Their wide range of conservation and education efforts, including their outstanding volunteer service and understanding of wetland ecosystems and their benefits to waterfowl, wildlife and people, made them the top choice for this year’s award.

The Ministry of Environment and Ducks Unlimited Canada are proud to honour the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association, which embodies the environmental practices that inspire others to conserve wetlands in B.C. and across the country.

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment -

“I applaud the hard work of the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association to help preserve wetlands and restore fish and wildlife habitats for future generations to enjoy. Wetlands are one of the most important life support systems on Earth, and preserving them is critical. In B.C., wetlands are an essential habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. Wetlands also help keep the environment healthy - from filtering our water to maintaining stream flows.”

Brad Arner, B.C. provincial manager of operations, Ducks Unlimited Canada -

“Wetlands not only help the environment, but they also do a lot of great things that benefit human health and communities. We encourage everyone to take action to help protect our wetlands, and the leadership role embraced by the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association is something we hope can inspire others to get involved in wetland conservation.”

Quick Facts:

• In B.C., wetlands make up approximately 5.28 million hectares - or about 5% - of the land base.
• Most wildlife use wetlands at some point in their lives, including many threatened species that depend on wetlands.
• Conservation efforts are needed to help reduce wetland losses, as well as to protect, maintain and restore wetlands.
• The Province of British Columbia and Ducks Unlimited Canada Conservation Award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, commitment and achievement by individuals or organizations to promoting public awareness of the value of conserving wetlands and associated habitats.
• Ducks Unlimited Canada is a registered charity that works to conserve wetlands across Canada. In B.C., Ducks Unlimited Canada manage 565 wetland projects, conserving 370,000 hectares.

Learn More:

Find out more about wetlands and Ministry of Environment conservation efforts in B.C.: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/wetlands/

Learn more about the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association: http://courtenayfishandgame.org/

View other conservation projects with Ducks Unlimited Canada http://www.ducks.ca/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834

Peter McCartney
Communications Coordinator
Ducks Unlimited Canada
604 492-5006