Ducks Unlimited Canada President Bill G. Turnbull (left) and Executive Vice-President D. Stewart Morrison visit Frank Lake project near High River, South of Calgary, Alberta. Photograph by Tom Sadler.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I am extremely proud to have been associated with Ducks Unlimited Canada for the past 14 years and I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve as its twenty-ninth president. Being part of Ducks Unlimited is a tradition in my family. Both my father and my grandfather were avid outdoorsmen and DU supporters.

My involvement with DU has given me the opportunity to do a small part in protecting and enhancing wetlands for future generations. The tremendous success of the organization is a direct result of the passion and singlemindedness of purpose that all DU volunteers have for waterfowl, wetland and the outdoors. Last year, our energetic volunteers attracted 101,000 contributors and raised over $11 million at events from British Columbia to Newfoundland. With the essential and much appreciated support of our United States partners in conservation, DU Canada enhanced 213,000 acres of wetland and upland habitat last year.

I realize that the federal government's proposed firearm legislation has caused concern for some of our valued supporters. I would like to re-emphasize that DU values your support, and understands and appreciates individual opinions on this matter.

Our Executive Vice-President Stewart Morrison is retiring after 26 years of dedicated service to the organization. Needless to say, the job of the search committee to select a replacement was a tremendous one. However, our new leader Don Young will no doubt rise to the challenge of continuing Stew's excellent record.

Our directors in Canada have had their plates full over the past year. A new strategic plan for DU Canada and the adoption of the Continental Conservation Plan has been the result of hours of work by the directors. I thank the board for a job well done.

When I was elected president in June 1994, I vowed to attend as many volunteer functions as possible from coast to coast. I look forward to visiting the provinces still on my list to hear the thoughts and opinions of our volunteers and contributors.

To all the directors., staff, volunteers, contributors and supporters of Ducks Unlimited Canada, my thanks for a most memorable year.

Bill G. Tumbull, President.

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

It seems only fitting to close out one's career with a record year, and this past year has definitely set some records for Ducks Unlimited Canada. After almost 27 years with this outstanding conservation organization, I will always be able to say that my last was one of the best. Together, our team of members, volunteers, staff, contributors and directors passed a milestone in fund-raising, surpassed goals for habitat securement and enhancement, confirmed that DucksUnlimited is Canada's most trustworthy conservation company, and welcomed tens of thousands of young people to the wonderful world of wetlands. It is indeed a year worth remembering.

Everyone connected with Ducks Unlimited Canada has attended or at least heard of the many banquets and events that are the cornerstone of our fund-raising program. The Events Program accounts for about 80 per cent of the funds raised each year in Canada and in 1994, contributors added enough to the coffers to surpass a total of $100 million since the beginning of the prograrn. In just 15 years of fundraising in Canada, DU supporters reached a level unmatched in the conservation arena. This proves that DU members are generous and loyal, and their contributions are very much appreciated.

Last year was also tremendous for work done in the field. A total of 180,000 wetland and upland acres were secured and 213,000 were enhanced. These numbers are well beyond the projected goals and are the highest in DU's history. Our largest habitat program continues to be Prairie CARE, to which we have added Ontario Land CARE, Native Plant Materials Program, the Beaver Pond Management Program in Ontario, and similar small-scale programs in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and British Columbia. Each of these works on a unique landscape to provide more habitat for wildlife.

We were encouraged by the results of an independent, nation-wide survey that confirmed what we had suspected all along. Ducks Unlimited leads Canada's conservation movement and Canadians understand and approve of the work we do. It means we're doing a good job of teaching people about the importance of protecting habitat for waterfowl and all wildlife.

One of our greatest teaching tools is the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre in Manitoba. Last year, more than 180,000 visitors came through the doors and 32,000 of them were school children. I watched them dip their nets into the marsh and squeal with delight over their discoveries, and I couldn't help but smile when they found out what an owl pellet was. Everyone who comes through the Centre agrees it's a good thing and the Manitoba Round Table was no exception. The staff of the Centre was honoured last year with the Sustainable Development Award of Excellence for its programs and services.

In fact, throughout the nation, educational initiatives were showing people young and old just how important wetlands are. Open houses were held, project tours hosted and festivals launched with a "get to know wetlands" theme in mind. We also stepped into the ecotourism circle with seven self-drive tours in Saskatchewan and more on the way in other provinces.

Behind the scenes, staff, directors and volunteers worked hard to make the job of protecting habitat just a bit easier. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act was reauthorized by the United States Congress, giving Ducks Unlimited Canada's North American Waterfowl Management Plan programs another four years of guaranteed financial support.

A number of years ago, I set my sights on retiring at the end of 1995. Twenty-seven years at the helm of any organization is a long time and the time for change has come ... for me and for DU. Simply put, I could not have had a more rewarding or stimulating career.

During my tenure with Ducks Unlimited, I have enjoyed working with 15 presidents and their boards and I have seen first-hand the dedication of hundreds of staff throughout the years. The commitment of volunteers at all levels has been nothing short of spectacular and they have undoubtedly been instrumental in our success.

The relationships with our sister organizations in the United States, Mexico, New Zealand and recently Australia have been excellent and friends have been made throughout North America and the world. But besides the personal rewards of these new relationships, it has been waterfowl and wetlands which have benefited the most, and that is an achievement we can all share in.

D. Stewart Morrison,
Executive Vice-President.