WC137 JulyAug 2024 - Magazine - Page 6
FIRST DROPS
Water related news,
events, and trends
from Canada and
around the world
The site supports some of
the highest waterfowl pair
densities in the province
and provides quality
habitats for breeding,
molting and staging
dabbling ducks
6
DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA (DUC) and a
group of generous conservation-minded
individuals closed a deal in March that will
see DUC acquire 297 acres of wetland in the
Lake Simcoe watershed. The wetland property
on the Beaver River in Scugog Township will
provide a contiguous corridor of wetland habitat for migratory fowl, rare and endangered
bird species, and other wildlife.
The land, donated by multiple individuals,
will be protected in perpetuity by DUC.
“This property is an interconnected wetland ecosystem close to a busy urban centre
and close to the GTA so it is a significant
acquisition,” said Alexis Hand, a land securement and land stewardship specialist at DUC.
Hand added with increasing development
pressures in the area, securing the parcel and
protecting it for decades will be beneficial for
both people and wildlife.
Public access is not currently permitted
as there are some dilapidated structures on
WATER C AN ADA • JULY/AUGUS T 2024
the property that could pose a safety hazard.
The existing nearby Trans Canada Trail and
Beaver River Wetland trail offers people the
opportunity to get out into nature, get active,
and perhaps see some wildlife in the adjacent
wetland. The site supports some of the highest
waterfowl pair densities in the province
and provides quality habitats for breeding,
molting and staging dabbling ducks with the
most common species being Mallards, Black
Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, and Wood Ducks.
The site also provides a habitat for rare and
endangered bird species such as the Virginia
Rail, Least Bittern, Pied-Billed Grebe, Common Gallinule and Long-billed Marsh Wren.
The Beaver River land donation is a prime
example of natural or ‘green’ infrastructure.
What distinguishes natural infrastructure is its
ability to provide multiple positive outcomes,
including biodiversity improvements, habitat
protection, climate adaptation, carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Ducks Unlimited Canada
PRIME WETLAND DONATION
