Duck Programs

DUC programsWith more than 70 years of experience and 8,400 established habitat projects across the nation, DUC is Canada’s leading expert in wetland and waterfowl conservation.

Guided by science
Our conservation efforts are guided by cutting-edge science and environmental and wetland research. The Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) is the scientific research arm of DUC.

More than a dozen scientists and technologists at the IWWR work with DUC regional staff and university partners to conduct research that helps guide, evaluate and adapt DUC's conservation programs. This blending of science and conservation is unique among Canada’s private conservation organizations. It gives DUC a major strategic advantage and helps target our efforts.

We have focused our scientific priorities on:

  • Conducting research to ensure DUC’s conservation investments are effective and efficient,
  • Finding answers for species and ecosystems in trouble,
  • Establishing the values that wetlands and their associated habitats hold for society, and
  • Nurturing the next generation of conservation scientists.

With science as our guide, DUC has developed conservation programs that will help save our wetlands and waterfowl for tomorrow.

Programs that work
DUC works hard to ensure:

  • Our habitat retention and restoration programs focus on areas with the greatest potential to attract breeding waterfowl and provide successful nesting sites.
  • Our conservation programs emphasize permanent protection of native and naturalized habitats.
  • We work cooperatively with landowners and land-users to improve the productive ability of entire landscapes for waterfowl.
  • We preserve or restore, where possible, the ecological function of landscapes.
  • We develop conservation initiatives that contribute to the overall health of the land and provide benefits to both people and wildlife.
  • Our habitat programs minimizing long-term management costs.
  • We remain committed to the constant evaluation and adaptation of conservation through scientific research, new information or circumstances.