MONTRÉAL, Que.
-- January 28,
2010 -- A new exhibition revealing the biodiversity,
complexity and splendour of Canada's aquatic
ecosystems is sure to make a splash. Canada's
Waterscapes-Yours to Enjoy, Explore and
Protect opens on February 2, 2010, at the
Biosphère.
Plunge into the study
of estuaries, lakes, rivers, oceans and
wetlands, and discover the teeming life
that depends on these habitats. Each section
showcases a specific region of Canada.
Come and marvel at the
abundance of marine life in the St. Lawrence
estuary. The diverse species range from
9 types of whales to creatures living 350
m below the surface! Meet invertebrates
capable of bringing decades-old buried pollutants
back into circulation. Learn about invasive
predatory species and find out why wetlands
are aquatic treasures sheltering remarkable
specimens. As part of the interactive hands-on
activities, create a frog chorus or your
very own ocean symphony.
Explore the work of
numerous scientists, including Kathy Conlan
from the Canadian Museum of Nature, who
examines the effects of ice erosion on creatures
living in the depths of the Arctic Ocean.
A wealth of specimens, videos, photos, illustrations
and maps round out the already abundant
content of this exhibition.
Canada's Waterscapes
emphasizes the ecological significance of
our water bodies and wetlands, and stresses
the need to protect them. The exhibition
is produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature
in partnership with Parks Canada, the Natural
Sciences and Engineering Research Council
of Canada, RBC and the Canadian Water Network,
with support from Canadian Geographic.
Presented as part of
the International Year of Biodiversity,
Canada's Waterscapes will be on display
at the Biosphère until April 30,
2010. The museum is located on Sainte-Hélène
Island in Montréal. During the winter
months, the museum is closed on Mondays.Visit
www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca for complete information
on visiting hours and entrance fees.
The mandate of Environment
Canada's Biosphère, as an environment
museum, is to strengthen Canadians' involvement
in environmental issues and spur them into
action. Besides presenting special events
and exhibits, the Biosphère develops
numerous educational and outreach products
for a diverse clientele across the country
and is a renowned forum for environmental
exchanges.
Environment Canada Invites
Youth to Participate in the Nature Matters!
Contest
GATINEAU, Que. -- January
29, 2010 -- Canada's Environment Minister,
and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada,
the Honourable Jim Prentice, invites Canadians
aged 9 to 35, to celebrate the International
Year of Biodiversity in 2010 by participating
in the Nature Matters! Contest. Until February
28, 2010, young Canadians are invited to
submit a video essay or a written essay
that answers the question, "Why is
nature important to you?"
"Enjoying and appreciating
our natural environment is definitely part
of the Canadian tradition, and by working
together, we can also make it part of our
legacy to mark this important year for biodiversity.
This contest is a great opportunity to explore
what nature means to them and to inspire
them to action to safeguard Canada's rich
diversity for future generations,"
said Minister Prentice.
+ More
The Nature Matters!
Contest will accept submissions until Feb
28, 2010.
One grand prize winner
and two runners up will be selected from
each age group (9-13 years, 14-19 years
and 20-35), in each of the two categories
(video and written essay).
Grand prize winners
will be invited to Ottawa to attend the
Grand Re-opening Event of the Canadian Museum
of Nature on the International Day for Biological
Diversity, May 22, 2010, where their achievement
will be announced.
Grand prize winning
written essays will be displayed in public
art panels outside Environment Canada's
environmental museum, The Biosphère
in Montreal. Grand prize winning video essays
will be projected for visitors at The Biosphère
in Montreal during 2010.
Grand prize winning
and runner-up essays will be published on
the website of the Canadian Biodiversity
Information Network, a shared public resource
of our federal, provincial, and territorial
governments, and will be announced through
Environment Canada's network of national
education and environment organizations,
reaching well over one million people.
The contest is open
to Canadian citizens or permanent residents
of Canada only, submissions will be accepted
in either French or English.
For full contest details,
please visit:
http://www.cbin.ec.gc.ca/nature/concours-contest.cfm?lang=eng
For more information
on 2010 International Year of Biodiversity,
please visit:
•www.cbin.ec.gc.ca/
•www.cbd.int/2010
For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Environment Canada
