MILTON, Ont. -- November
20, 2009 -- On behalf of Canada’s Environment
Minister Jim Prentice, the Honourable Lisa
Raitt, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources,
Member of Parliament for Halton, joined
representatives from the Niagara Escarpment
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 Niagara Escarpment Biosphere
Reserve with $285,000 over five years.
"This government
is committed to conserving our biodiversity
and to protecting the environment that in
so many ways defines our nation and its
people, "said Minister Raitt. ‘’With
its rich forests, wetland complexes, cliff
faces, slopes and aquatic ecosystems, this
area contains more than 300 bird species,
53 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians,
90 fish and 100 varieties of special interest
flora including 37 types of wild orchids."
“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 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.”
“Investment in the Niagara
Escarpment Biosphere Reserve is received
with great appreciation,” stated Moreen
Miller, Chair of the Niagara Escarpment
Biosphere Reserve. “The federal government
and Environment Canada are to be commended
for their recognition of Canada’s biosphere
reserves as exceptional places and organizations
to deliver on a wide range of sustainability
initiatives.”
The Niagara Escarpment
Biosphere Reserve was designated as a biosphere
reserve in February 11000 by UNESCO (United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization). The biosphere reserve area
follows the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area,
stretching 725 km from Lake Ontario, near
Niagara Falls, to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula,
between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. It
consists of the provincially adopted Niagara
Escarpment Plan Area of 190,270 hectares
including two national parks. The area covered
by the Niagara Escarpment Plan is located
within portions of eight counties or regions,
which include 22 local municipalities.
Biosphere reserves are
areas designated and recognized internationally
by UNESCO 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.
For more information, please see attached
backgrounders or contact:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Green Christmas at the
Biosphère: recapture the Holiday
Spirit!
MONTREAL , Que. -- November
24, 2009 -- The Biosphère is inviting
everyone to come experience a greener holiday
by drawing inspiration from the activities
of the fourth edition of the Green Christmas
event, which will take place from December
4 to January 3.
Running from December
4 to 6, the Recycling-Artists Eco Fair will
bring together 52 exhibitors with the same
artistic and environmental approach. It
is a unique opportunity to find original
and handmade gifts made in Quebec from recycled
materials.Admission to the Biosphère
is free for this event.
The DIY Eco-Design workshops
will give artists at heart an opportunity
to create their own green wrapping paper,
decorations and prepared food gifts. With
a different theme for each weekend, the
free workshops are being held on December
5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 (reservation required).
Children are invited
to participate in the Eco-Elves Workshop
and to meet Green Santa, who will give them
a small green gift. The whole family will
be touched by the Sainte-Émilie Flying
Beavers story, a heart-warming tale that
combines humour and mystery and makes us
think about our modern holiday customs.On
Saturday, December 5th, the Biosphère
will welcome Laure Waridel, author of Acheter,
c’est voter : le cas du café and
L’envers de l’assiette, for two talks with
the children. Ms. Waridel also developed
a green holiday menu that will inspire visitors
of the Ecoological house during the entire
event.
The 100% design, zero
waste exhibit promotes the work of the recycling
artists who, each year, divert hundreds
of tons of materials and objects from the
landfills by giving them a new, stylish
and modern look.
With completely new
holiday decorations created by various artists
from recovered objects, Green Christmas
aims to promote responsible consumption
during this time of year when consumption
is encouraged. The complete schedule is
available at:www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca .
As an environment museum,
Environment Canada’s Biosphère has
a mandate to promote environmental action
and involvement by Canadians. In addition
to presenting special events and exhibits,
the Biosphère develops numerous educational
products for a diverse clientele throughout
the country and is a renowned forum for
environmental exchanges.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
