“Help Us Help Ducks”: A simple and effective call to action from the Spruce City Wildlife Association (SCWA).
As 2025 Community Grant recipients, they were able to help waterfowl across the Prince George area through strategic placement of nesting structures. The program has enhanced waterfowl habitat, supported biodiversity, and strengthened community stewardship of local wetlands.
Many species of ducks, such as buffleheads and goldeneyes, rely on natural tree cavities for their nests. These tend to be rare, and are made rarer still by habitat loss. Among ground-nesting ducks such as mallards, nest success is typically less than 10% due to predation. The Help Us Help Ducks project delivered direct environmental and community benefits by building, installing, and maintaining two different types of structures: nesting boxes for cavity nesters and hen houses for ground nesters.
A hen house – Spruce City Wildlife Association
The first step was for SCWA volunteers to conduct habitat assessments to determine placement for the structures. Next, it was time to get to work on construction. Nesting boxes are familiar “bird house-like” structures, but hen houses are less well known. Hen houses are tube-like structures, comprised of two layers of wire fencing with straw sandwiched in between. This tube structure is then fastened to a sturdy pole, which is driven into the ground. This elevates the nesting area off the ground and away from predators. Nest success rates can rocket up to 60 or even 80%!
The HCTF Community Grant covered the cost of materials, allowing SCWA to focus on their volunteers. Volunteers gained hands-on experience, not only with practical building skills, but also in a deeper understanding of waterfowl ecology. Through building nest structures and the installation in the field, the project fostered a strong sense of ownership and connection to local wetlands among volunteers of all ages.
“A highlight was actually the number of teenagers who were ready to help with this project,” commented Project Coordinator Jesi Lauzon. “Some were from a land-based learning class that we try to work with any chance we get. Additional teens joined the building work parties in the evenings.”
While the 2025 season has been completed, with 17 nest boxes and 6 hen houses built and installed, the project is ongoing. Help Us Help Ducks hopes to keep moving forward with new locations and continued maintenance of boxes across the region.
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HCTF’s Community Grants provides small grants to organizations and individuals who have a conservation project involving volunteers in mind but need financial help to make it happen. We welcome the opportunity to help carry out conservation work in your community! Learn more here.
