STONEWALL, MANITOBA — (Marketwire) — 03/12/13 — Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recognizes the significant milestone achieved yesterday with negotiations on devolution between the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Government of Canada.
This is a historic moment for northern residents,” says Greg Siekaniec, CEO of DUC. “We hope the devolution of lands and resource management responsibilities offers opportunities to continue to work together with our northern partners to conserve areas of ecological and cultural significance to all Canadians.”
As a leader in wetland conservation, DUC has been a long-term conservation partner in the NWT, as well as a partner in the NWT Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) as part of DUC–s boreal conservation initiatives.
Kevin Smith, national manager of boreal programs for DUC says: “The PAS process is critical to land and resource management because it brings Aboriginal communities, government and other stakeholders together under a common goal of sustainability through conservation and resource planning.”
A vast wetland-dominated landscape rich in natural resources and cultural diversity, the NWT is a critical area for North America–s waterfowl with millions arriving every spring.
Nearly 60 years of continental waterfowl surveys have consistently shown the NWT as one of the –right places– to conserve waterfowl habitat.
Moving forward, we must build upon the investments, partnership and consensus that have been achieved in partnership with aboriginal peoples, federal and territorial government, industry and ENGOs to ensure that areas of ecological significance are protected for future generations. DUC looks forward to working with the GNWT in their new mandate for land and natural resources.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at .
Contacts:
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Kevin Smith
Manager of Boreal Operations
Office 780.930.1262 or Cell 780.952.4772