St. John's 
Ducks Unlimited Canada has successfully acquired a crucial urban wetland in St. John’s, Newfoundland, aiming to preserve vital green spaces amidst rapid urban development.
CNW Group/Ducks Unlimited Canada
The 4.8-hectare Empire Avenue wetland, near the popular Mundy Pond, was secured with support from the Canadian government’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and a significant donation from Nosegard Holdings Ltd., a local development company. This acquisition promises both ecological benefits and protection for the urban area’s infrastructure.
Significant Conservation Effort
- The acquisition was facilitated through collaboration between DUC, the NHCP, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Nosegard Holdings Ltd.
- The project began in 2020 when Brian Noseworthy, Managing Director of Nosegard Holdings, approached DUC with the idea of preserving this land.
- Part of the land was purchased by DUC with NHCP funding, while Nosegard Holdings donated the remainder, highlighting a significant community contribution.
Environmental and Urban Benefits
CNW Group/Ducks Unlimited Canada
The newly conserved wetland will serve as both a sanctuary for wildlife and an essential component of the city’s infrastructure.
- The Empire Avenue wetland will play a critical role in managing flooding and filtering water for the city, which is expanding rapidly.
- The wetland will protect the habitat of species such as the green-winged teal, providing a stable environment for urban wildlife.
- This acquisition enhances the nearby greenbelt, protected by the City of St. John’s, expanding the ecological corridor within the urban setting.
The Natural Heritage Conservation Program aims to establish protected areas through private land acquisition, supporting conservation efforts across Canada. With over $500 million invested by the Canadian government, and more than $1 billion matched by contributions from organizations like DUC and Nature Conservancy Canada, the program has conserved over 840,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive land to date.
As Canada’s leader in wetland conservation, Ducks Unlimited Canada works alongside governments, non-profits, Indigenous groups, and landowners to protect habitats that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife, and environmental health.
