PARKSVILLE, B.C. – September
24, 2009 –On behalf of Canada’s Environment
Minister Jim Prentice, Dr. James Lunney,
Member of Parliament for Nanaimo–Alberni,
joined representatives from the Mount Arrowsmith
Biosphere Reserve today to celebrate the
recent announcement of funding to support
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 Mount Arrowsmith
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 MP Lunney. “Canada’s
biosphere reserves are excellent examples
of community-based initiatives that protect
our natural environment while ensuring the
continued growth of the local economy in
an ecologically sustainable way.”
"The Mount Arrowsmith
Biosphere Foundation gratefully recognizes
the generous support of the Government of
Canada. This support will enable the Foundation
to continue the challenging work of understanding
our Biosphere in all its complexity,” said
Andrew Brown, president of the Mount Arrowsmith
Biosphere Foundation. “It enables us to
work collaboratively with local governments,
environmental groups and the general community
to identify and promote innovative approaches
to sustainable living and economic activity
on central Vancouver Island,” he said.
The Mount Arrowsmith
Biosphere Reserve was designated as a biosphere
reserve in November 2000 by UNESCO, and
includes the City of Parksville, Town of
Qualicum Beach, portions of the Regional
District of Nanaimo, all watersheds between
Lantzville and Dashwood, Vancouver Island,
which flow into the Strait of Georgia, and
adjacent waters in the Strait of Georgia,
including the Ballenas/Winchelsea Islands.
"Our government
is committed to supporting areas where biodiversity,
conservation and sustainable communities
are a priority,” said Minister Prentice.
‘’This biosphere reserve is a place of cooperation,
education and experimentation, where scientists
and managers can share research data to
better understand man's impact on nature,
and where local communities, environmental
groups, and economic interests can work
collaboratively on conservation and development
issues‘’.
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.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government Of Canada’s
Investment In Canadian Biosphere Reserves
Celebrated In Saskatchewan
HAFFORD, Sask. – September
25, 2009 – On behalf of Canada’s Environment
Minister Jim Prentice, Maurice Vellacott,
Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin,
joined representatives from the Redberry
Lake Biosphere Reserve today to celebrate
the recent announcement of funding to support
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 Redberry Lake 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 Maurice Vellacott.
“Canada’s biosphere reserves are excellent
examples of community-based initiatives
that protect our natural environment while
ensuring the continued growth of the local
economy in an ecologically sustainable way.”
“We would like to thank
the federal government for its financial
contribution and our provincial Members
of Legislative Assembly for their ongoing
support for preserving the biodiversity
at Redberry Lake,” said Larry Hawrysh, Chair,
Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve Association.
“This is a great example of how rural communities
and government can work together to revitalize
the rural economy and develop sustainable
economic models that include and preserve
local biodiversity.”
The Redberry Lake Biosphere
Reserve was designated as a biosphere reserve
on January 21, 2000 by UNESCO. This reservecovers
112,200 hectares of rolling prairie, dotted
with seasonal ponds and marshes characteristic
of the Prairie Pothole region. The core
area is a saline lake with several islands.
This type of habitat is often considered
the “nursery” for waterfowl production.
There are small patches of mixed prairie,
which is very rare in this highly grazed
and cultivated part of Saskatchewan.
“Our government iscommitted
to protecting and conserving the habitat
our wildlife species need to thrive. Many
species at risk can be found on the Redberry
Lake Biosphere Reserve including rare and
endangered plants and animals including
the Piping Plover, American White Pelican
and fen orchid,” said Jim Prentice. “By
fostering sustainable resource management
practices, Biosphere Reserves enhance the
conservation value of protected areas.”
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.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
