Bear River farmers honoured by Lieutenant Governor

Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman, Joe, Kay, Kevin & Erica MacIsaac Lieutenant Governor's Greenwing Conservation Award

Charlottetown, PE, May 21, 2008 – Today at Government House, The Honourable Barbara A. Hagerman, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, presented the Lieutenant Governor's Greenwing Conservation Award to Lily Pond Farm for its contributions to wetland conservation. Lily Pond Farm, owned and operated by Joe MacIsaac and sons Kevin and Blair, grows 600 acres of potatoes along with hay and grain. Recently the farm has diversified its crops with soybeans and canola. Tom Duffy, manager of Atlantic operations for Ducks Unlimited (DU) Canada read the citation during today's ceremony and talked about why Lily Pond Farm was named this year's winner. The MacIsaac family are interested in sustainable agriculture and they work toward that each day by striving to protect and enhance the soil, planting trees, constructing diversion terraces and grassed waterways in areas with high erosion and runoff and by restoring wetlands on their property. "The MacIsaac's understand that practicing sustainable agriculture means showing concern for all living organisms in the ecosystem," Duffy said. "With this in mind they partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada in 2004 to restore a pond on their farm property. Today this pond provides a home for a number of duck species like black ducks and green winged teal that use the site for nesting purposes. The wetland also provides a home to many species of amphibians, mammals and plants." Upon accepting the award Kevin MacIsaac said his family was humbled and thanked DU Canada both for the award and for the work the non-profit company does every day. "The organization has a tremendous scope," he said. "It's amazing what they do across this country. They're a great organization to work with. Years ago we would have thought about draining that pond, today that is not even a consideration." DU Canada often works with farmers like the MacIsaacs as well as provincial agencies such as the PEI Departments of Agriculture and Environment, Energy and Forestry, federal departments such as Agriculture Agri-Food Canada and farm organizations such as the Federation of Agriculture to implement practices that contribute to enhanced biodiversity on farms. These programs also provide agricultural benefits such as clean water for livestock, soil conservation and less expensive nutrient management options.

The Lieutenant Governor's Greenwing Award, sponsored by DU Canada, recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated leadership in a project or activity that has contributed to public awareness of wetland conservation, or individuals and groups demonstrating outstanding volunteer service in assisting organizations that benefit wetland conservation. The winner is chosen from a field of nominees by an independent selection committee.

About Ducks Unlimited Canada:

DU Canada (www.ducks.ca) is a national, private, non-profit organization that has been committed to wetland conservation for 70 years. DU Canada conserves wetlands and their associated habitat for waterfowl, other wildlife and people. DU Canada is working to achieve a mosaic of natural, restored and managed landscapes capable of perpetually sustaining use by people and wildlife without endangering the amount or functions of natural lands.

Kelly MacDonald, Communications Coordinator Phone: (902) 667-8726 ext 226.

Copyright
Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation

All pictures appearing on this site or its associated flickr account are the property of the photographers and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
They may not be copied without permission of the photographer and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.