Madam Chair and members of the committee, Ducks Unlimited Canada has been working to restore wetlands on 19 of the 54 national wildlife areas in Canada.
This partnership extends back to the beginning of the national wildlife area program where the federal government secured lands, and Ducks Unlimited invested in the restoration of the wetlands on the properties.
Since Ducks Unlimited started working on national wildlife areas in the 1970s, we have restored 20,000 acres and have invested $15 million on those properties. The results have been healthy, functional wetlands, where people can enjoy these critical habitats and where a multitude of waterfowl, amphibians, birds, and fish make their homes.
We also note that these wetlands are important components of successful species at risk recovery strategies. Restoration often involves built infrastructure, like dikes and water control structures. These all have finite lives. This infrastructure is in serious need of new investments.
Ducks Unlimited has been doing its part with investments of over $1 million last year alone in Ontario's national wildlife areas, but more is needed. Where the maintenance of wetland functions are core to the value of a national wildlife area, a failure to invest in the infrastructure will mean a failure of the protected area to meet its conservation objectives, and would also raise liability issues for the federal government and for Ducks Unlimited.
Ducks Unlimited supports the active management of national wildlife areas in those areas that are of highest priority for waterfowl populations and under the highest threats.
The Green Budget Coalition, a group of 20 non-government organizations who yearly compile recommendations for the federal budget, had submitted two recommendations in 2016 for federal efforts related to protected areas.
Ducks Unlimited Canada contributed significantly to these recommendations, and recommended $30 million be dedicated annually to better manage national wildlife areas and migratory bird sanctuaries.
As the committee studies what is needed to expand protection of Canadian lands and waters, we urge you to consider the allocation of adequate funding for the management of the whole network, especially national wildlife areas and migratory bird sanctuaries.