CALGARY, ALBERTA — (Marketwire) — 09/27/12 — Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is getting ready to celebrate its 75th Anniversary and to kick things off, Olympic gold medallist and five-time Canadian champion Jon Montgomery is showing his support for wetland conservation in Canada by declaring 2013 “The Year of the Conservation Champion”.
Montgomery is encouraging Canadians to –get active and –get involved– in the outdoors. Over the next year, he will share the stories of Canadians who are making a difference for Canada–s natural areas, while highlighting unique DUC conservation projects through his personal experiences shared online and in social media. To learn more about Jon Montgomery and the Year of the Conservation Champion, visit .
“Traveling around the world representing Canada in skeleton racing competitions has given me an even greater appreciation for what a truly outstanding country we live in,” says Montgomery. “From coast, to coast, to coast, we have amazing natural areas with fresh water, expansive land and diverse wildlife. In so many ways, we have the gold and it is up to us to work together as proud Canadians to keep it.”
Since 1938, DUC has conserved over six million acres of wetlands, including marshes and ponds, and has completed over 9,000 habitat conservation projects, which contribute to a healthier environment for waterfowl such as the mallard, as well as other wildlife, and all Canadians. Unfortunately, Canada loses up to 80 acres of wetlands each day. This is the equivalent to 45 soccer fields every 24 hours.
“The scary part about all of this is that wetlands are being lost faster than they can be restored or protected,” adds Montgomery. “As my father always said, –hoe to the end of the row.– I don–t give up and neither does Ducks Unlimited Canada. They have been a conservation leader for 75 years. I want to remind Canadians that conservation efforts are the key to a healthy, happy and sustainable future.”
DUC was established by conservation-minded waterfowlers who recognized the importance of wetlands. Although wetlands serve as important habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, they also offer a number of environmental benefits to all Canadians. They not only filter the water that flows into our rivers and lakes, but they reduce the effects of flooding, drought and erosion. And this is why protecting and restoring Canada–s wetlands is so important. If we continue to lose wetlands, we will continue to lose the benefits they provide as we are already seeing across Canada.
“For 75 years, Ducks Unlimited Canada has been dedicated to protecting Canada–s wetlands for the enjoyment of all Canadians,” says Tom Worden, President, DUC. “DUC is active in every province across the country and we are fortunate to have 143,000 supporters and 400 employees by our side. We wouldn–t be where we are today as an organization without their dedication and continued support.”
For more information on DUC–s 75th Anniversary celebrations and to find out how you can get involved, visit .
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 ducks.ca.
Please see attached Ducks Unlimited Canada fact sheet: .
Photos available at .
Contacts:
To arrange an interview with Jon Montgomery, please contact:
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Gillian Potvin
National Manager, Media Strategy
Cell: (204) 792-3678