Annapolis
Royal, N.S. -- August 26, 2009 -- On behalf
of Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice,
Member of Parliament for West Nova, Greg
Kerr joined representatives from theSouthwest
Nova Biosphere Reserve today, to celebrate
the recent announcement of funding Canada’s
Biosphere Reserves. The Government of Canada
is providing $5 million in funding over
five years to 14 of the 15 biosphere reserves
in Canada and the Canadian Biosphere Reserves
Association. This funding will provide the
Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve with $57,000
per year through 2013.
“This funding commitment
reflects the importance the Government of
Canada places on protecting our rich biodiversity
across the country,” said Minister Prentice.
“Canada’s biosphere reserves areexcellent
examples of community-based initiatives
that protect our natural environment while
ensuring the continued growth of the local
economy in an ecologically sustainable way.”
Biosphere reserves are
areas designated and recognized internationally
by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization) for demonstrating
practical approaches to balancing conservation
and development. Biosphere reserves are
comprised of one or more core protected
areas, a buffer area in which activities
compatible with conservation occur, and
a large area of co-operation where sustainable
resource management practices are promoted
and developed. The world network consists
of 553 biosphere reserves in 107 countries.
“With this funding,
we have been able to hire a project coordinator
and begin to address regional concerns related
to youth engagement and rural development,”
said Dr. Bob Maher, Chair of the Southwest
Nova Biosphere Reserve Association. “The
new funding will strengthen our national
biosphere reserve network and the work we
do with environmental organizations in Southwest
Nova Scotia.”
The Southwest Nova Biosphere
Reserve was designated as a biosphere reserve
in 2001 by UNESCO. The Reserve spans 1,546,374
hectares and includes the counties of Annapolis,
Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens, as
well as Kejimkujik National Park and Historic
Site, and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area.
The area contains over 30 species at risk
such as the Eastern Ribbon Snake, Southern
Flying Squirrel, Monarch Butterfly, Blanding’s
Turtle, Atlantic Whitefish, Piping Plover,
Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora and rare lichens.
“The Southwest Nova
Biosphere Reserve is an excellent example
of a community-based initiative that promotes
the conservation and protection of our natural
environment while ensuring the continued
growth of the local economy and communities
in an ecologically sustainable way,” said
Greg Kerr.
The Government of Canada’s
investment will facilitate activities and
projects within the biosphere reserve related
to conservation, sustainable development
and capacity building for research and education.
Additionally, it will help co-ordinate projects
such as youth outreach, community engagement,
promoting sustainable tourism and economic
activities, integrating community sustainability
planning with the 16 municipal units of
the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, and
raising public awareness.
Delighted by today’s
announcement, MP for South Shore - St. Margaret’s,
Gerald Keddy added, “fostering sustainable
resource management practices, the Southwest
Nova Biosphere Reserve enhances the conservation
value of Canada’s protected areas. The Government
of Canada is proud to support an organization
that shares its commitment to land conservation
and preserving biodiversity.”
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
