Winnipeg, Manitoba, July
18, 2007 – The Royal Canadian Mint, the
Canadian Wildlife Federation and Environment
Canada are celebrating another one of Canada’s
exceptional birds, the Red-Breasted Nuthatch
with a special coin and video presentation
at the Royal Canadian Mint’s facility in
Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Red-Breasted Nuthatch, best known for
its ability to hop down trees head first,
is featured in the newest Hinterland Who’s
Who vignette and appears on the Royal Canadian
Mint’s new painted 25-cent collector coin.
Both are to be launched at this special
event.
The Canadian Wildlife Federation, one of
Canada’s largest non-profit conservation
organizations, and Environment Canada have
been working together on the Hinterland
Who’s Who wildlife education program since
it was re-launched in 2003.
“The Hinterland Who’s Who series has and
will continue to play an important role
in wildlife and conservation education,”
said Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for
Kildonan-St. Pauls. “Canada’s New Government
is proud to partner with the Canadian Wildlife
Federation and the Royal Canadian Mint to
launch this exciting new chapter in the
series that has engaged generations of Canadians
in conserving and preserving nature.”
The Royal Canadian Mint and its employees
selected wildlife and nature as one of its
causes of choice under its charitable donations
program. This project reflects the beauty
of wildlife often depicted on Canadian coins.
“Supporting wildlife conservation efforts
is very important to employees at the Mint,”
said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of
the Royal Canadian Mint. “We are pleased
to join the Canadian Wildlife Federation
in celebrating a delightful Canadian bird
on this stunning new collector coin.”
“The Hinterland Who’s Who series is a part
of Canadian culture and for some is at the
root of their connection to wildlife;” says
Wade Luzny, the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s
Executive Vice President. “We are very thankful
for the contribution of the Royal Canadian
Mint and its employees. They, through the
release of this coin and the previously
released Ruby-Throated Hummingbird coin,
have given Canadians a wonderful way to
admire the beauty of Canadian wildlife.”
The 2007 25-Cent Red-Breasted Nuthatch
coin retails for a suggested $24.95 CDN
and can be purchased directly from the Mint
by calling 1-800-267-1871 in Canada or 1-800-268-6468
in the US, via the Internet at www.mint.ca,
or by visiting the Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa
and Winnipeg. This coin is also available
from the RCM's global network of dealers
and distributors.
About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
CWF is dedicated to fostering awareness
and appreciation of our natural world. By
spreading knowledge of human impacts on
the environment, sponsoring research, promoting
the sustainable use of natural resources,
recommending legislative changes, and cooperating
with like-minded partners, CWF encourages
a future in which Canadians may live in
harmony with nature. Visit www.cwf-fcf.org
for more information.
About the Royal Canadian Mint:
The Royal Canadian Mint, an ISO 9001-2000
certified company, is the Crown Corporation
responsible for the minting and distribution
of Canada’s circulation coins. In operation
since 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint is recognized
as one of the largest and most versatile
mints in the world, offering a wide range
of specialized, high quality coinage products
and related services on an international
scale. For more information on the RCM,
its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.
About Environment Canada:
Environment Canada's mandate is to preserve
and enhance the quality of the natural environment;
conserve Canada's renewable resources; conserve
and protect Canada's water resources; forecast
weather and environmental change; enforce
rules relating to boundary waters; and coordinate
environmental policies and programs for
the federal government.
For more information about the Federal Government
of Canada’s environmental initiatives, please
visit: http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca
Jennifer James
Canadian Wildlife Federation