Islanders took to an event aimed at preserving P.E.I.’s wetlands like a duck to water on the weekend.
Ducks Unlimited returned to Charlottetown to bring the second annual Duck Day to Charlottetown’s Farm Centre on Saturday to show Islanders the importance of practising conservation and preserving natural habitats.
Jana Cheverie, head of habitat, retention and planning with Ducks Unlimited Atlantic Canada, said the event has been taking place around the Maritimes for several years and that she was glad to bring it back to Charlottetown.
Events like Duck Day, which included activities such critter dipping, nest box building, face painting, live music and a barbecue, are a good way to engage and inform the public, said Cheverie
“They bring awareness to conservation and the work that not only Ducks Unlimited, but other conservation organizations, do here on the Island,” she told The Guardian.
“We just want to make people aware of how they can conserve water and conserve electricity and energy. We’re just trying to get our conservation message out to folks.”
Cheverie said despite last year’s rainy day, the event was a success, with more than 400 people in attendance.
Kerri Walton, who works with Ducks Unlimited in Amherst, N.S., said she’s pleased to see the event grow.
“It’s just getting bigger, like people want to be part of it, so it’s really good,” she said. "I think it’s great to bring the public out to see what we do and all of the wonderful programs that we offer.”
A number of Island groups joined forces to host Duck Day, including Island Nature Trust, Ellen’s Creek Watershed and the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture.
“(There are) wonderful partnerships that we have with everyone,” Cheverie said. “It’s not just us by ourselves, we work with so many different groups and other non-profit organizations. It’s just fantastic.”
Ducks Unlimited will hold another Duck Day later this summer in Nova Scotia.
For more information about Ducks Unlimited Canada, or about conserving Canada’s wetlands, visit Ducks.ca.
