Wetlands — Ducks Unlimited Canada Skip to main content
  • Discover Conservation in Canada

By Province

By Region

By Impact Area

By Program

By Approach

Become a Member Your membership is an investment in Canada’s wildlife, water quality and environment.
  • Get Involved

Attend an Event

Be a Donor

Be a Volunteer

Be a Partner

Shop DUCGear Show your support for conservation and wear it with pride
  • Be Informed

News & Media

Resources

Sign-up for our newsletter Keep up-to-date on conservation projects, research, education programs and more!
  • About Us

Who we are

What we do

Resources

Ducks Unlimited Canada in the news You can’t talk about conservation without Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Impact Area

Wetlands

A natural defence system for drought, floods and climate change.

Working hand-in-hand with Canadians, we are conserving our remaining wetlands.

What is a wetland? Get the story

What is a wetland?

Read now

We have a lot to show for more than 85 years of conservation work. But it is far from done. We are building on the momentum of our successes—working with our supporters to protect and restore our natural defense systems.

Our understanding of wetlands is growing, but they continue to decrease. In settled areas of Canada, up to 70% of our wetlands have already been destroyed or degraded. As they continue to disappear, so too do the many benefits they provide.

They protect us from flooding, drought and climate change. They protect wildlife by providing hundreds of species with safe places to eat, sleep and raise young. They give us natural places to play, learn and explore. They also clean the water we enjoy at beaches, lakes and rivers.

Together, we can restore our wetlands.

Years in the making for record-breaking conservation project
Biodiversity, Hannotte, Landowners, Landowners, Prairie Canada, Prairie Pothole Region, Provincial, Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan

Years in the making for record-breaking conservation project

Read now
Boreal wetlands
Boreal wetlands © DUC

Taking Action

Wetlands are like nature’s well-oiled defense system, formed over millions of years.

Hooked on making a difference Get the story

Hooked on making a difference

Read now
Canada’s wetlands are diverse. They take the form of marshes, bogs, fens, swamps and open water. They appear on the prairies, in the boreal forest, along coastlines and even in the tundra. Every type helps to keep our communities healthy and safe. Right now, we’re working on projects that:
  • Restore wetlands that have already been lost. Drainage, urban expansion and resource extraction are the biggest threats. Our work has resulted in more than 11,826 completed habitat projects, 6.4 million acres of secured habitat and 201.8 million acres of positively influenced habitat.
  • Our research and best practices will be shared with industry and government to help them be sustainable. It has driven positive change in these sectors across Canada.
  • Improve the quality of our waters by fighting invasive species. Turning back invasive species takes science, engineering and commitment.

See Nature as Something New

Perched on the edge of your sea
Wetlands

Perched on the edge of your sea

Canadians are flocking to the coast for its natural beauty. Yet, we’re still learning how to share the shoreline with nature. Each step towards conserving, mapping and protecting salt marshes is a step away from the edge of unsustainable coastal management.

Amazing feats of nature!
Conservator, Wetlands

Amazing feats of nature!

The amazing feats of nature are everywhere in the form of wetlands acting as purifiers, forests serving as classrooms, and ecosystems reviving at surprising speeds.

Transforming the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre: A Hub for Education and Conservation
Education, Philanthropic, Science, Wetlands

Transforming the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre: A Hub for Education and Conservation

We are excited to announce the public phase of the fundraising campaign for the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh. With almost 75% of the required funds already raised, we are inviting the community to join us in this final stretch to secure the remaining $2 million needed to complete this project. 

Room for reptiles: Building a home for threatened species in B.C.
Biodiversity, Invasive Species, Pacific Coast, Pacific Interior, Wetland restoration, Wetlands

Room for reptiles: Building a home for threatened species in B.C.

A team of field staff from Ducks Unlimited Canada have been creating ideal habitat for the turtles.

Yacking Ducks make a splash with land donation in Ontario
Landowners, Waterfowl, Wetlands, Wildlife

Yacking Ducks make a splash with land donation in Ontario

Sporting group leaves a legacy with land donation on the Beaver River.

Fish and waterfowl flock to new habitat
Wetlands

Fish and waterfowl flock to new habitat

We offer a turn-key approach to habitat restoration projects that are required as a condition for development project approvals; handling everything from finding the site, to project design, approvals negotiation, permitting, implementation and monitoring. 

Selwyn-area family gives back to nature with wetland
Landowners, Wetlands

Selwyn-area family gives back to nature with wetland

Ontario landowners say "if you build it, they will come."

Winnipeg high school students earn Ducks Unlimited Canada prize for Wildfire Management Solution
Boreal Forest, Education, Wetlands

Winnipeg high school students earn Ducks Unlimited Canada prize for Wildfire Management Solution

Fort Richmond Collegiate students take home first place in Ducks Unlimited Canada's national research competition.

More ecosystems where we are making an impact

Our conservation efforts impact diverse areas across the entire country—including your community.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Boreal Forest

Boreal Forest

Grasslands

Grasslands

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence

Stay informed

Receive the latest news from Ducks Unlimited Canada and learn more about conservation efforts that are helping protect species and create a healthier world.

Sign-up today