MEDICINE HAT, Alta.
-- August 10, 2010 -- LaVar Payne, Member
of Parliament for Medicine Hat, on behalf
of Canada's Environment Minister,
the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced
funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program
for Species at Risk. In total, $973,212
in federal funding will support environmental
action focusing on conservation and protection
of species at risk and their habitats, helping
to preserve Canada's biodiversity.
"As part of the
International Year of Biodiversity, we are
proud to celebrate the good work done to
preserve the variety and abundance of plants
and animals that make their home here in
southern Alberta," said MP Payne. "The
funding that we've announced today, almost
$1M, proves that our government is committed
to preserving these ecologically unique
areas."
"These projects
will help to protect Canada's rich biodiversity
for generations to come," said Kevin
Sorenson, MP for Crowfoot. "The Government
of Canada is proud to support these six
projects in southern Alberta through the
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species
at Risk. Your actions, large or small, will
help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
"All across the
country, a growing number of community groups,
organizations and individuals are promoting
awareness of biodiversity, and taking action,"
said Rick Casson, MP for Lethbridge. "Our
thanks go out to these hard-working organizations
for their continuing efforts to conserve
habitat in southern Alberta."
The Alberta Conservation
Association, Alberta Fish and Game Association,
Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Alberta
Native Plant Council have been working to
preserve the last stands of native prairie
in southern Alberta for many years. With
funding from the Government of Canada's
Habitat Stewardship Program, they will be
able to continue their work to secure habitat
for the endangered greater sage grouse,
the northern leopard frog and many other
species at risk.
"We have worked
with our fellow recipients on many conservation
projects throughout the years and it is
clear that we can accomplish a great deal
more together than individually. The success
that has been achieved in conservation is
because we have a common vision for the
future -- an Alberta with plenty of wild
spaces and species to value and enjoy."
states Todd Zimmerling, President and CEO,
Alberta Conservation Association.
The goal of the Habitat
Stewardship Program for Species at Riskis
to contribute to the recovery and protection
of species listed as endangered, threatened
or of special concern under the Species
at Risk Act.
Projects that will receive
funding this year include stewardship actions
to conserve habitat for plant species at
risk, negotiations with landowners to develop
voluntary Land Care Agreements, targeted
educational outreach to reduce the entanglement
of species at risk in fishing gear, and
enhancement of water quality and aquatic
habitat on private lands to benefit aquatic
species at risk. They will be undertaken
with many partners such as agricultural
producers, private landowners, and commercial
fishers. These projects will benefit many
species at risk, including the greater sage
grouse, the burrowing owl and the ferruginous
hawk.
The Habitat Stewardship
Program for Species at Risk is administered
by Environment Canada and managed cooperatively
with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the
Parks Canada Agency.
More information on
the Species at Risk Act and the Habitat
Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
can be found on the Internet at: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca
or http://www.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih/default.asp?lang=En&n=59BF488F-1.
+ More
New Member Appointed
to the National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy
OTTAWA, Ont. -- August
20, 2010 -- The Honourable Jim Prentice,
Minister of the Environment, announced the
appointment of David John Bishop to the
National Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy (NRTEE). This appointment
is effective immediately.
"I am very pleased
to announce the appointment of Mr. Bishop
to the NRTEE and I look forward to his contribution
over the next few years," said Minister
Jim Prentice. "He will bring some strong
experience and insight to the roundtable,
particularly in the area of corporate environmental
issues, that will complement the depth and
expertise of the roundtable's current members."
NRTEE's members are
drawn from distinguished leaders in business
and labour, universities, environmental
organizations, Aboriginal communities and
municipalities who offer different perspectives
on issues of environmental concern. Members
are appointed for up to three years.
NRTEE's mission is to
generate and promote innovative ways to
advance Canada's environmental and economic
issues concurrently. To achieve this, it
undertakes research based on sound knowledge,
advises governments and stakeholders on
key issues and promotes practices on sustainable
development. Results of their research and
discussions are disseminated nationally
and internationally.
