A Waubaushene man is being fêted by Duck Unlimited Canada for his volunteer contributions.
Craig Lalonde was recently named as the organization’s volunteer of the year in Ontario “for his selfless dedication and hard work.”
Like many people who get involved with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Lalonde was first introduced to the organization through his father, Leonard, who brought him to several DUC conservation dinners beginning when he was just six years old.
“There, he learned about the work of DUC and the importance of conserving Canada’s wetlands,” a story from the organization’s website states.
Lalonde eventually became involved in various efforts in his hometown of Dunnville, including enlisting the help of his peers to build and install nest boxes and remove the invasive purple loosestrife from what is now the Thompson Creek Eco Centre. They also built a pavilion and planted trees at the site.
When he was 16, he won a DUC trivia and essay contest that included a trip to the organization’s headquarters at Oak Hammock Marsh near Stonewall, Manitoba.
“The trip cemented his connection to nature, wetlands, waterfowl and conservation,” the organization say, noting that experience inspired Lalonde to pursue post-secondary studies in fish and wildlife technology.
Now living in Waubaushene with his wife Kerrie and their two sons, Caleb, 10 and Cameron, 6, he is well-known in the community as “the DUC guy.”
Lalonde, who is one of 800 DUC volunteers across the province, spends much of his time with his 12-member Midland chapter organizing conservation dinners, securing donations and getting his boots dirty in wetland projects wherever he can.
“I’ve always enjoyed the fundraising events,” he tells Ducks Unlimited Canada. “After a few years, I started emceeing our hometown events and I always see the same people every year. Everyone remembers your story and you remember theirs; you build a good connection with them.”
An avid birder and hunter of waterfowl, deer and moose, Lalonde supports the work done by DUC to conserve and restore wetlands in Canada, as well as educating the broader public about its mission.
Despite his lifelong dedication to the organization, being honoured for his volunteer work came as quite a shock.
“Being awarded means the world to me,” Lalonde says. “I’m still overwhelmed, but so touched I was chosen. DUC is my passion and I believe in what this organization stands for. When you consider the scope of the work done and the benefits of that work, you can’t help but respect DUC. I’m so honoured to be a part of the DUC community.”
Last fall, Lalonde visited Oak Hammock Marsh with his father, brother Chris and oldest son. It was a full-circle moment for him as he returned to the place that had lit the DUC flame 25 years earlier.
He adds: “The things that always get to me are the nostalgic fall smells of mud and swamp that take me back to being a kid out with my Dad.”
