Hilliardton Marsh Research and Education Center

HMREC was created in 1993 and is 1800 acres (2890 hectares). Shortly after the marsh was created there was fervent wish that one day there would be a visitor center created that would allow wetland and nature education for young and old. The Hilliardton marsh research and education center was established in 2000 to carry out that dream but in the meantime a the focus of the group was to provide wetland and wildlife education by enhancing a bird banding station that had been established in 1996. Since those early days over 300,000 birds have been banded representing 156 different species. School groups and weekend visitors flock to the marsh to see birds being banded and to immerse themselves in this glorious wetland that is deemed a significant wetland due to the many species at risk it harbors. Our organization is proud to state that ground will be broken this spring in mid may to create the long awaited visitor center that will allow the goals of education and research to be taken on with more vigor and to allow more visitors to enjoy the marsh. The fact that the marsh attracts people from across Canada and around the world to learn more about bird banding and wetlands in the boreal forest makes us feel we would be a great candidate for this accreditation.