Regina, Sask., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,' is the theme for World Environment Day on June 5th. All around the world, people are encouraged to consider, “if you can’t reuse it, refuse it.” On April 1, 2018, plastic bags were banned from Saskatoon recycling bins. In Moose Jaw, a group of students are actively lobbying the mayor and council to implement a citywide ban on plastic bags. All across Saskatchewan, people are consciously choosing reusable bags over plastic and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) applauds their efforts.
“Wind can carry plastic bags from open garbage bins or landfills into neighbouring marshes and wetlands,” says Lauren Rae, national conservation biologist for DUC.
“Most of us are familiar with how devastating plastic can be to ocean life, but many people overlook the fact that plastic bags in a wetland can be harmful to wildlife and waterfowl,” adds Rae.
Individual birds and mammals can get tangled up in plastic, which could prevent them from feeding or breeding normally and make them an easier target for predators. Waterfowl and shorebirds can accidentally eat bits of garbage, or consume tiny plastic particles that have been eaten by their insect prey. On land, plastic bags choke the ground underneath of sunlight and oxygen, which degenerates waterfowl nesting cover and food supply.
Healthy wetlands are valuable to society because they provide many ecological goods and services. They clean and filter water, provide flood and drought protection, sequester carbon and provide habitat for waterfowl and wildlife.
“Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet,” says Rae, “and picking up plastic and other garbage is a simple and effective way to keep wetlands clean and healthy.”
DUC invites the public to visit our local urban wetlands, and while you are there, we encourage you to pick up and recycle any plastic bags you see.
- In Regina, visit McKell-Wascana at 12001, Wascana Cir, Regina.
- In Saskatoon, visit Hyde park at Slimmon Road or Chappell Marsh located in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park, immediately adjacent to the southwest boundary of the City of Saskatoon
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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.
For more information, or to arrange an interview with one of our wetland experts, please contact:
Chelsea Manz Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan 306-356-2233 c_manz@ducks.ca
