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"Delta Waterfowl Made A Difference" After reading through the original press release Delta Waterfowl had sent to me, titled "Delta Waterfowl Opposes Proposals To Kill Canadian Duck Stamp", I was appalled by the proposal on the table. I guess the title of that column spoke of how I felt about the proposal and the affect it would/could have had on our waterfowl seasons in the United States. At best, adopting the proposed changes would have been devastating to some of the programs offered to Canadians and put the money right in the hands of large corporate conservation interests. I felt it was a time for waterfowler hunters to come to the front lines and speak out. To support Delta Waterfowl, in a united effort, and head off the actions backed by some of the large corporate conservation interests and it paid off. While I'm almost certain there were other organizations that stood up in the fight against the proposed changes, to the best of my knowledge, Delta Waterfowl was the only waterfowl organization that sent out the press releases warning of the changes and opposing them. Since the proposals have been turned down, I would venture to say some other organizations would be jumping on the bandwagon … looking for credit. Nevertheless, we as waterfowl hunters have Delta Waterfowl to thank for standing up for what was in the best interest of their members. Here's the press release I just received from Delta Waterfowl, in it's entirety, explaining the victory: No Changes to Canadian Duck Stamp Program - Delta Waterfowl Pleased with Outcome WINNIPEG, December 12, 2007 - Canada's Environment Minister John Baird today confirmed to Delta Waterfowl that Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC), an independent, nonprofit organization, will continue to manage the Canadian duck stamp program for another three years. The program has been in place since 1984. Since 1984, Wildlife Habitat Canada has invested $52 million in habitat conservation, restoration and enhancement, particularly in wetlands and wetland-associated species. About $32 million was generated by duck stamp sales. "This is welcome news for duck hunters and the future of waterfowl conservation in Canada," said Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson. Delta officially opposed proposals by Environment Canada that would have effectively stopped the duck stamp program and radically altered waterfowl management in Canada. Delta Waterfowl wrote a letter to Minister John Baird requesting him to leave the duck stamp program intact. "Waterfowl hunters, stamp collectors, and outdoors enthusiasts all supported the program" said David Brackett, President of WHC. "Environment Canada received over 150 submissions in response to its public consultation, with over 97 percent strongly in favour of continuing the existing stamp program and arrangement between EC and WHC." "This issue illustrates what hunter- conservationists can do when they make their voices heard and get out front on an important issue," said Bob Bailey, Delta's Vice President of Policy for Canada, "it was the combined efforts of 27 provincial wildlife federations and outdoor groups that provided the national push to make sure the duck stamp remained intact." "We met recently with Minister Baird and impressed upon him the importance of the Canadian duck stamp program to wetland conservation," said Greg Farrant, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters' Manager of Government Relations and Communications. "We are pleased to see the Minister recognize the role hunters play in supporting this vital conservation program," he added. Bailey and Farrant agree that keeping WHC and the duck stamp program intact is a great first step, but there is more work to do. In a September 23 letter to Minister Baird, 27 national, provincial, territorial and regional outdoor organizations proposed a "new and improved" WHC that would include more hunters on the WHC board, a wetland priority for habitat work, promotion of the contributions hunters make to habitat conservation under the duck stamp and a guarantee of public access to areas secured or improved with WHC funds. "We are committed to ensuring that these new proposals for WHC are implemented", said Olson. "We hope this is a signal by Environment Canada that it is going to put its management focus back on waterfowl and waterfowl habitat." In the most recent year, 40 percent of WHC grants went to North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) partners, including the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, Delta Waterfowl's partner on Adopt a Pothole, the largest wetland easement program in Canada. For more information, contact Delta President Rob Olson at 204-956-7766. Delta Waterfowl (www.deltawaterfowl.org) is dedicated to the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. No matter how you look at it, the distribution system wasn't broken and while it may not have been perfect, we have seen the liberal season framework for several consecutive years. With duck numbers up again, something is working and working well. With your help and support, Delta managed to come to the front lines and stood up for us again. "Delta Waterfowl Made A Difference" and with your support they can keep on doing what they do best … representing the best interest of waterfowl "hunters" throughout North America. |
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