News from the Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Falls, Ontario, September, 2015 – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) has launched a new public awareness campaign designed to educate visitors and local residents on the impacts created by the feeding of waterfowl and wildlife within the Dufferin Islands Nature Area.
With the arrival of fall, new informative signs have been placed within Dufferin Islands, in order to help educate and reduce the frequency of feeding before the onset of winter. This is being done now, with the hope that the waterfowl and other migratory birds will begin to undertake natural migration patterns to their traditional winter habitat locations.
Dufferin Islands has become a very popular destination for both local residents and international visitors to enjoy. Over time, the feeding of waterfowl (ducks and geese) has become a popular activity and has allowed visitors an opportunity to get ‘closer to nature’.
While visitors and residents may have the best of intentions, feeding waterfowl and wildlife items such as processed foods, bread and scraps can be very harmful. It can result in delayed migration, overcrowding, the spread of disease, malnutrition and other unnatural behaviours. Also, the feeding of waterfowl can lead to environmental issues such as added water pollution, algae blooms and shoreline erosion.
While working to educate and curb the practice of feeding wildlife items such as breads, scraps and processed foods, NPC continues to promote the use and enjoyment of Dufferin Islands.
Niagara Parks is proud to promote the area as a significant birding (bird watching) destination. Waterfowl will continue to frequent areas even if they are not fed; however, they will do so at much more environmentally sustainable numbers. Appreciating and learning about nature does not require the human interaction of feeding wildlife. Instead, the wildlife and waterfowl that make Dufferin Islands their homes, should be viewed or photographed from afar and left to be wild.
The Niagara Parks Commission is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.
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