REGINA, SASKATOON--(Marketwire - June 23, 2012) - Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Enbridge Pipelines Inc. today announced the official opening of the new Enbridge trail at the McKell Wascana Conservation Park in Regina, Saskatchewan, the city's first park dedicated to conserving and restoring native prairie and wetlands. In 2011, Enbridge contributed $65,000 to the McKell Wascana Conservation Park, part of its $215,000 commitment to wetlands conservation in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. The funds, which are part of Enbridge's Natural Legacy program, have been allotted to habitat conservation programs in Saskatchewan. One of the trails will be called the Enbridge Trail in recognition of the gift.
McKell Wascana Conservation Park is a wonderful example of a natural space that both educates and creates awareness for the importance of conserving wetlands in Saskatchewan. Originally dedicated by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in 2005, the park includes an entrance plaza and education amphitheatre, a floating dock, and approximately four kilometres of natural trails with interpretive panels and benches. The park is a unique, three-way partnership between the City of Regina, DUC and local resident Robert McKell, who contributed a portion of his land through a conservation easement.
"As a company, we cross many properties and operate near many communities," explains Lyle Meena, general manager, central region, Enbridge. "The Natural Legacy program is an opportunity for Enbridge to partner with these communities, showing our commitment to environmental stewardship, habitat remediation and protection."
"The McKell Wascana Conservation Park project is an amazing place that the entire city can be proud of. Its expansive prairie and lush wetlands are an oasis for waterfowl, wildlife and people alike," said Dr. James McHattie, a member of DUC's board of directors. "With 100 acres of native prairie grassland that have never seen the plow and 55 acres of restored prairie along Wascana Creek, it is also a great example of the work DUC is undertaking to conserve and restore wetlands and grasslands throughout Saskatchewan."
Wetlands across Saskatchewan provide residents with a wide range of ecological benefits, which include cleaning our air and drinking water, recharging ground water supplies and easing the effects of flooding and droughts.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at ducks.ca.
Enbridge Inc., a North American leader in delivering energy and one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations, operates the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas, power transmission, and renewable and alternative energy generating capacity including wind and solar energy, geothermal and hybrid fuel cells. Enbridge employs approximately 7,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada's Greenest Employers, and one of the Top 100 Companies to Work for in Canada.
Through investments in partnerships and human capital, Enbridge supports organizations such as DUC that contribute to the economic, environmental and social well-being of communities near their operations. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.
To view an article regarding the McKell Wascana Conservation Park, please visit the following link: http://file.marketwire.com/release/McKellWascanaArticle.pdf.
To view an article regarding Enbridge-funded Ducks Unlimited Canada projects, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ArticleDUC.pdf.
For more information please contact:
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Lori Gasper
Communications Coordinator - Saskatchewan
(306) 381-4535
l_gasper@ducks.ca
www.ducks.ca
or
Enbridge Inc.
Graham White
Manager, Business Communications
1 (888) 992-0997
www.enbridge.com