Ducks Unlimited Canada and J.D. Irving, Limited are celebrating their partnership in conservation at the St. George Marsh. 

J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has conservation agreements with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) on almost 1,250 acres of wetland on JDI properties. The agreement covers a total of 34 conservation sites in both in New Brunswick (29) and Nova Scotia (5). While DUC works with 2,000 private landowners in Atlantic Canada, JDI would have more projects and wetland area under agreement with DUC than any other private landowner.

A billboard at St. George Marsh celebrates the long-standing partnership between JDI and DUC. It’s a strong partnership that began in 1979 with the signing of the first conservation agreement. Conservation agreements like this one are signed between landowners and DUC to ensure restored wetlands are conserved and managed to support biodiverse habitat for waterfowl and other species of wildlife.

“The Town of St. George thanks Ducks Unlimited and J.D. Irving, Limited for their partnership in conservation of wetland plants and wildlife at the St. George Marsh,” said Mayor Crystal Cook. “The protection of this ecosystem is important to our community which values a healthy environment."

“Ducks Unlimited Canada are the North American representatives of wetland conservation. Wetlands are very important for both DUC and JDI. Wetlands are very productive areas. They are usually the headwater source of a lot of streams and rivers, regulating water flow, and providing a rich land scape for ducks, and all the wetlands species and rare plants.” John Gilbert, Wildlife Biologist, JDI Woodlands explains.
 
Many wetland projects that JDI is involved with are located in DUC’s Conservation Priority Areas (CPA) including: Upper Bay of Fundy, Southwest Bay of Fundy, Lower St. John River Floodplain, Northumberland Plains, and Annapolis Valley. One project in the area of the Upper Bay of Fundy is restoring poor-quality dykeland to wetland habitat for waterfowl. There are many reasons why this is important, including the breeding and staging of migratory waterfowl, including shorebirds like sandpipers.

“To make real progress in conservation, Ducks Unlimited Canada puts significant focus on partnerships with both government and the private sector. We are very pleased to work with JDI, an industry leader in the forest sector to enhance the habitat value of the forests in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,” says Tom Duffy, Manager of Atlantic Operations for DUC.

CONTACTS:

Chelsea Murray
Communications Specialist, Atlantic Canada
Ducks Unlimited Canada
902-292-2506 c_murray@ducks.ca

Mary Keith
Vice President Communications
J.D. Irving, Limited
(506) 632-5122 keith.mary@jdirving.com