Mike Williams’ is on a mission to conserve and develop much-needed wetlands across Ontario
Q: What is your position and what are your responsibilities?
A: I’m the head of restoration services for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) in Ontario – this is our environmental consulting business line. DUC is a registered charity whose mission is to conserve wetlands and associated habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and people. Using sound science, we deliver on-the-ground habitat projects, research, education programs and public policy work to conserve, restore and manage wetlands in Ontario. Our Restoration Services program outsources our expertise to clients for projects such as aggregate pit rehabilitation.
My main responsibilities are to work with industry and developers to provide environmentally sustainable solutions for their habitat restoration needs. We work with a variety of clients including the renewable energy sector, private companies, conservation authorities, Ministry of Transportation and, of course, the aggregate industry.
Q: What is it about your job that other people wish they got to do?
A: I’ve been with DUC for over 25 years and have functioned in a variety of roles; all of which have provided their own rewards. The Restoration Services program has me working on projects that are beyond my wetland “comfort zone,” which allows me to grow both personally and professionally. Besides wetland restoration, I get to work on habitat projects involving grassland and forest establishment, fisheries compensation and reptile habitat. I’m a “one-person show” right now, which can be overwhelming at times, but also means I get to travel across the province to visit potential clients and projects. I really enjoy travelling and seeing different parts of Ontario, so I feel fortunate to be able to do that.
Q: What do you find most challenging in your work?
A: We just started up this business line a few years ago so I find a lot of people don’t know we do environmental consulting. I try to attend as many relevant events as I can, like the OSSGA AGM and rehab tour, to build awareness of the services we provide. Lots of folks recognize the green “duck head” logo and they know about our reputation for building successful wetland projects. I find that once people know that we provide these habitat restoration services, they want to work with us because we’re a well-established company with a reputation for quality work.
Q: Describe your typical day on the job and how the work you do contributes to your company.
A: There is no typical day for me due to the diversity of projects I’m working on. Basically, my job entails ensuring that we are on track with all the contracts we have in place, talking to potential clients about their projects and marketing our services to industry and developers. Since DUC is a not-for-profit organization, we depend heavily on raising the funds required to cover the costs to deliver our habitat, policy, education, and marketing and communications programs. The net revenue generated through our Restoration Services program is key to help cover these costs.
Q: How did you get interested in this work?
A: I’ve always been interested in nature and the environment and growing up in a rural setting on the Prairies gave me an appreciation for how agriculture and wildlife habitat can coexist. My dad also exposed me to hunting which gave me an early understanding of the connection between wildlife and habitat conservation. Working in the wetland conservation field has further cultivated my appreciation for nature and its resiliency. I’ve worked on wetland restoration sites that have been drained and cultivated for over 100 years. Once the drainage ditches are plugged and the water is put back on the land, the wetland seeds that were lying dormant for decades germinate and, within a year, wetland plants are growing and the habitat is flourishing with wildlife.
Q: What sort of education do you have that is relevant to your job?
A: I completed a BSc in Zoology at the University of Manitoba. Back in those days, we didn’t have courses specific to wetland ecology or waterfowl management. What really got me into this business was the experience I gained through seasonal employment with the Canadian Wildlife Service and the DUC research branch. Both exposed me to waterfowl and wetland management and laid the foundation for my career path.
You would think that after 28 years on the job I would have perfected my skill sets but I find I’m learning new things all the time, especially now that I’m working on so many types of habitat restoration projects. To help hone my skill sets, I’ve found it useful to take courses and workshops on leadership, First Nations engagement, negotiation and project management. To become more knowledgeable about market trends and be a better service provider for our clients, I also try to do as much research as possible about the industries we work with.
Q: Where do you see the industry going in the next few years?
A: It’s clear the aggregate industry recognizes the value of wetlands, as evidenced by the recently published OSSGA “Wetland Rehabilitation” report. We believe that wetland conservation activities can assist the aggregate industry in dealing with challenges the future will hold around water resources and biodiversity loss. We’re hoping that the industry puts even more importance on wetland conservation and encourages more producers to consider incorporating wetlands in their rehabilitation plans.
Q: What advice would you give to others looking for a career in the aggregate industry?
A: I can only speak to the habitat restoration side, but I would say if someone is interested in getting into the business of working with aggregate companies on site rehabilitation, there are numerous opportunities with environmental consulting firms, including DUC. DUC is often sub-contracted by other consulting firms to carry out a particular component of a project for which they are not resourced. The aggregate industry is always looking to be innovative, so if you are a creative individual interested in applying your skill sets to the rehabilitation field, then I would encourage you to consider this rewarding field.