ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- June
26, 2009 --Under its partnership with Environment
Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada
announced today at an event in St. John's
the future conservation of 8.5 hectares
of the Brooms Brook property, located in
the Grand Codroy
Estuary in southwest Newfoundland and Labrador.The
purchase marks another achievement under
the Government of Canada's $225-million
Natural Areas Conservation Program.
"The Government
of Canada is proud of the results achieved
through the Natural Areas Conservation Program
since its inception two years ago, because
they greatly benefit our country's biodiversity,"
said Canada's Environment Minister, the
Honourable Jim Prentice. "Prime Minister
Harper announced the creation of a partnership
with non-government conservation organizations
such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Today, as part of this partnership, we celebrateyet
another important conservation project that
will continue to provide vital support for
species in the largest and most significant
wetland system in Newfoundland and Labrador."
The Grand Codroy Estuary
supports large numbers of geese and ducks,
including approximately 3,000 Canada Geese
during fall and early winter, upwards of
1,000 black ducks in late September, as
well as pintail, green winged teal, American
wigeon and greater scaup. The area is well
known as a provincial hotspot for songbirds
and is the only part of Newfoundland where
the ruby-throated hummingbird is known to
occur. The Estuary is also home to 25 rare
vascular plants including marsh horsetail
and pale St. John's wort.
The Brooms Brook property
is located on the eastern side of the mouth
of Brooms Brook as it enters the Estuary.
The site is located opposite land already
acquired by Nature Conservancy of Canada
and forms part of its ongoing land assembly
in the Estuary. The site protects over 300
metres of Brooms Brook shoreline and over
100 metres of the Grand Codroy Estuary.
This shoreline, together with a small inlet
on the Brooms Brook property, is well used
by waterfowl.
"Today's announcement
is just one more example of how our Government
is taking real action to protect Canada's
natural treasures with the help of partners
like the Nature Conservancy of Canada,"
said Minister Prentice. "The lands
of Brooms Brook will continue to provide
a healthy habitat where species can thrive."
The Government's Natural
Areas Conservation Program is an important
on-the-ground initiative that takes real
action to preserve Canada's environment
and conserve its precious natural heritage
for present and future generations. Since
its inception in 2007, the Program has allowed
the conservation of over 336 properties
totalling 103 hectares, protecting habitat
for over 74 species at risk
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Minister Toews Announces
$1.1 Million for Projects to Clean Up Lake
Winnipeg
WINNIPEG, Man. -- June
25, 2009 -- Treasury Board President and
MP for Provencher Vic Toews, on behalf of
Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice,
today announced $1.1 million in funding
for fourteen projects under the Lake Winnipeg
Basin Initiative
"The Government
of Canada is investing in projects that
will help ensure a healthy future for Lake
Winnipeg. As the sixth largest lake in Canada,
Lake Winnipeg is an important environmental,
economic and recreational resource,"
said Minister Toews.
Environment Minister
Jim Prentice said, "The Lake Winnipeg
Basin Initiative is working on a number
of fronts to promote the long-term sustainability
of the Lake and provide a new model for
how the Government of Canada can support
integrated basin-wide watershed management
elsewhere in Canada. These funds are part
of the $18 million that this Government
committed to the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative
under the Action Plan for Clean Water. In
addition to the millions of dollars to support
stewardship projects, we are investing millions
more to implement a comprehensive science
program for Lake Winnipeg using Canada's
world class federal scientific expertise."
"This project funding
represents an important federal contribution
towards helping improve the health of the
Lake Winnipeg watershed," added James
Bezan, MP for Selkirk-Interlake. "It
will help provide clean water for generations
to come."
Minister Toews also
announced the appointment of a Public Advisory
Committee to provide advice to the Minister
of the Environment on future Lake Winnipeg
stewardship project proposals.
The newly appointed
committee members include:
Marlene Cook, Deputy
Mayor for the City of Selkirk;
David Crate, Chief of Fisher River First
Nation, and a former commercial fisher;
Robert T. Kristjanson, a fifth-generation
commercial fisher and supporter of Manitoba's
fishing industry for the past 61 years and
member of the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship
Board;
Allan Kristofferson, Managing Director of
the Lake Winnipeg Consortium;
David Tomasson, a Manitoba Interlake fisher
with past involvement in the Hecla Village
Harbour Authority and the Freshwater Authorities
Advisory Council;
Garry Wasylowski, a cattle producer, former
Reeve of Armstrong, Manitoba and lifelong
resident of Manitoba's Interlake.
The committee members have a wide range
of knowledge and experience, as well as
strong linkages and commitment to the communities,
industry and issues associated with cleaning
up Lake Winnipeg and its watershed.
The Government of Canada
is committed to ensuring that all Canadians
have access to clean, safe and healthy water,
that there is a reliable and secure supply
of water, and that our water resources are
used wisely, both economically and ecologically.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
