cktimes.ca Archives for Ecowrappin'
Ecowrappin'
Even small ponds are big in importance
Thursday, October 17, 2002
There are no shortages of issues to talk about, but by way of introduction, I thought I would start with my job and why Ducks Unlimited Canada has me doing it.
Historically, DUC's main presence in our area has been at the large coastal marshes along Lake St Clair, Western Lake Erie, and lower Detroit River area. The importance of protecting and restoring those few remnant marshes was immense. On a landscape that in pre-settlement times was dominated by its wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and forested wetlands, we now have the most intensively drained and farmed region in Canada.
The reality is that we have drastically altered the landscape so that it suits our needs better. We now have to ensure that enough of the natural functions of land and waterways remain in order to sustain what we have built. We can no longer consider nature as something to fill a void while waiting for development. If homes and farms and stores and factories are important to us, we must also have equal regard for our remaining natural areas.
To put it in a nutshell, my job is to work with farmers and other landowners to build, restore, and enhance natural areas, especially wetlands. The Ducks Unlimited vision has not changed, but it has expanded to recognize that small pairing ponds dotted across the countryside are also an important compliment to reaching our conservation goals.
These small ponds are important for many creatures other than waterfowl too. Many other species live in or near the water. The list of animals that benefit from ponds is large and diverse, but to give you an idea, it includes white tailed deer, wild turkey, bob white quail, cottontail rabbits, herons, terns, and a variety of raptors, reptiles, and amphibians.
Aside from private landowners and farmers, I am also working with industries, municipalities, parks and others to help them develop their holdings with minimal effect on their operation while maximizing the natural functioning of their land.
I see signs of a developing "nature ethic" in everyone I meet. In some people it has consumed their lives, and they are driven to restore their property to a natural state. In many people it is an appreciation for wildlife and desire to share it with future generations. In a few people it is a reluctant willingness to "allow nature on the property as long as it doesn't cost me anything".
That last statement may signal that there is still lots of work to do, but it is also a recognition that not all areas can be or should be developed. Next time I will tell you about the new program we have developed to help with pond creation.
Darrell Randell works for Ducks Unlimited Canada as a Conservation Programs Specialist in South West Ontario. Before that he was a Lambton County Pork Producer for 25 years. He served 2 terms on Sombra Township Council, 1994-2000, and is currently a councillor in St Clair Township. He is a past president of the Lambton County Federation of Agriculture. He was a founding member of the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network and served as chairman of that group from 1995-2003. He and Nancy have 3 grown children, each of whom they are extremely proud.
