Haliburton Hunters Wetland Waterfowl Interpretation Program 2008-09

Sir Sandford Fleming College students installing floating nesting islands within the 3 ponded wetlands recently restored at the Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association, Haliburton County (Photo courtesy of Leora Berman, Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association)

Goals and Objectives

• Increase wetland stewardship and conservation through:
  • • influencing hunters, members and landowners by setting an example,
    • having interpretive programs and materials,
    • through highlighting best practices/wetland restoration design
    • promoting wetland evaluations and securement options (Haliburton Highlands Land Trust)
    • and promoting the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

• Increase waterfowl production through:
  • • nest box program
    • communication products, workshops and through Conservation Stamp promotions.

• Increase capacity for influence and sustainability of the association through:       
  • • increasing membership of anglers and hunters
    • extending operations and programs
    • sales of licenses
    • the creation of a state of the art interpretation facility and resource centre containing educational materials, displays, etc.
    • and by supporting staff and volunteers.

Activities

1.   Staffing: Support Project Coordinator, student outreach intern, and Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association (HHOA) operational support staff. Hire Project Coordinator to administer workshops, oversee marketing and promotions, displays, and partnerships. Hire a student intern to look after membership recruitment involving canvassing to seasonal residents and promote Conservation Stamp Program, oversee volunteer recruitment and support local interest and donations. Support staff for sales of hunting licenses and administration.

2.   Influence/Promotions/Outreach: Profile project on wetlands and waterfowl, and include promotions of NAWCA-Conservation Print and Stamp program, wetland evaluations, land trust conservation easements. Increase interest and membership through: media releases, displays, open houses, workshops, and direct approach. **Interpretive materials will include boardwalk signs outlining wetland designs that support waterfowl nesting, brood habitat nesting structures, and as well as other wetland functions and biodiversity; a DVD on wetland functions; school curriculums on wetlands and biodiversity; a pamphlet on wetland designs to support waterfowl; nesting structure designs; and NAWCA-Conservation Stamp program.

3.   Constructed Wetland/Wetland Habitat Improvement/Boardwalk: The constructed wetland will be completed this year (2008), and will include riparian/cover plantings, linking the treatment wetland to two large pocketed wetlands. Nesting structures will be placed in the pocket wetlands with interpretive signage, and a boardwalk through the 14 acre marsh-carr will be constructed and outfitted with interpretive signage. All together these will be used as a model to promote wetland stewardship and protection through showing the values of wetlands to members, hunters, visitors and the community.

4.   Tours and Workshops: targeting at least 200 landowners over the year through 3 workshops. Targeting at least 50 landowners and 3 school groups (grade 4) through open house and lead tours. Targeting at least 100 landowners through direct canvassing. All tours and workshops to highlight best management practices for waterfowl nesting and the creation of brood habitat, including nesting structure design. Tours and workshops will influence landowners to make direct wetland improvements, increase wetland protection and management as well as benefit waterfowl productivity. **Furthermore, landowners interested in conservation having wetlands on their properties will be referred to the Ministry of Natural Resources for wetland evaluations and tax benefits and to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust for donations/easements/acquisitions.

5.   Nest box launch program: workshops will include focus on nesting structures; nest boxes placed in wetlands on site (along boardwalk and with interpretive signage); nest boxes to be available for purchase; nest box designs-flyers (available through Ducks Unlimited Canada); nest boxes to new members.

6.   Waterfowl Hunting/Conservation Stamp Program/Leveraging Interest: Complete applications to become vendor of Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit, other game and fishing licenses. Promote the Conservation Stamp Program and Duck Prints through mail-outs, monthly newsletter, advertisements, auction dinners, and to be showcased at the facility; and providing WHC-NAWCA brochures at all annual events (annual Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters dinner and auction, annual Wild Game Dinner, annual fish fry).

7.   Membership: Increase membership through provision of new benefits: new workshops and interpretive materials; nest boxes/mallard tubes available for purchase and/or as a token for new members (in addition to promotion of discounted membership with Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters). Increase membership through student outreach intern activities (canvassing).

Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC’s Contributions

• 18 acres wetland directly restored/enhanced
• 300 landowners/members (hunters and anglers) influenced
• Approx 350 landowners engaged/influenced.

Actual wetland acres influenced or enhanced (through members/landowners showing interest and having wetland habitats, referred to the local land trust or Ministry of Natural Resources, involved in restoration/plantings and/or nest box installation) will be tracked and tallied throughout the project.

Benefits to Waterfowl, Wetlands-Associated Species, and/or Other Wildlife

Best practices demonstrated through workshops, interpretation facility, outreach and nest box program will influence hunters, anglers and conservationists in the area, and so will provide benefit and impact to key waterfowl and waterfowl-game and other wetland dependant game species such as: Mallard; Wood duck; Goldeneye; Common and Hooded Merganser; and Moose; Beaver; Muskrat; Otter; Mink; Fisher and Marten. Too, many fish species will benefit from the increased conservation of wetlands and riparian habitats.

Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management

This project will directly influence wetland conservation through:

• Directly influencing hunters from the county and beyond (members and visitors) through demonstrating the value of wetlands to waterfowl and other game species. Teaching brood habitat designs and nesting structure construction and placement. Promoting NAWCA and the Conservation Stamp Print Program, as well as wetland evaluations and securement options.
• Landowners (hunters and others) will be influenced through workshops, tours, and a direct approach.

The project will also have an impact on municipal planning and protection of wetlands, as the township is a partner in the project and will receive year-end reports and media releases indicating project influence, uptake and success.

School tours and other educational materials will influence future conservationists and local landowners.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has been a strong supporter and partner of HHOA. The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is also a local player: landowners and members who are interested in conservation and wetland evaluation will be directed to the Ministry of Natural Resources or the land trust, increasing the wetland protection in Haliburton County.

Project Location

The Project will provide influence throughout all of Haliburton County (permanent residents at over 7,000, and seasonal residents of over 15,000). The County is immediately south of the Algonquin Dome/Canadian Shield yet has similar landscapes characteristics, such that the soils are shallow and the many connected aquatic resources are susceptible to pollution and disturbance, and which are mostly controlled by beaver populations. Therefore wetlands and waterfowl habitat in this area benefit mainly from, and are mostly improved by riparian plantings and maintenance of cover as well as the installation of nesting structures.

Project Contact

For more information on this project, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Program Manager, Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association, Haliburton, Ontario.