February 2, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods was in the Codroy Valley today to make a presentation to the Codroy Valley Rural Development Association on behalf of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) as part of the promotion of International Wetlands Day.

The Codroy Valley Rural Development Association has been actively promoting their wetland area and are in the process of renovating their interpretive building so it can be open to the public this tourist season.

Minister Aylward was pleased to make the presentation. "As the MHA for the Codroy Valley and Minister responsible for Wildlife, I am delighted to be here today. The Grand Codroy Estuary is the only Ramsar site in the province and I feel it is important to recognize its significance," said the minister.

More details on the Grand Codroy Estuary and International Wetlands Day are available below.

Contact: David Wells, (Communications), (709) 729-6183

BACKGROUNDER

February 2 has been declared International Wetlands Day in recognition of the conclusion of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat on February 1, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The designation of Wetland of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat draws international attention to the wetland and to the threats upon it. The designation and the sites are commonly referred to as Ramsar designations and sites after the town in which the Convention was held. The only restriction a Ramsar designation carries is that the permitted activities occuring in the wetland not destroy or alter the ecological character of the wetland. The designation is designed to support, not override provincial, state or federal legislation.

The Grand Codroy Estuary is Newfoundland's only Ramsar site. It was designated such on May 27, 1987, the twenty-second Ramsar site in Canada. Since then, great strides have been made in wetland and waterfowl conservation in the Codroy area.

The Grand Codroy Estuary was recognized by the Ramsar convention because it is an exceptionally fine example of a large coastal estuary and is the most important wetland in Newfoundland and Labrador. Flocks of Canada Geese and Black Duck numbering in the thousands use the estuary during the fall and early winter. Pintail, Green-Winged Teal, American Wigeon and Greater Scaup, various shorebirds, and even the endangered Piping Plover have been seen in the estuary along with many other species rare in Newfoundland and Labrador. Local residents recognized the significance of this estuary resulting in their 1974 successful bid to have the estuary designated a "No Hunting Zone".

The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) has maintained various projects in the Codroy area since the early 1990s. Most efforts have centered on individual landowners, helping to develop and foster feelings of good will toward wetlands among the people directly responsible for the Codroy's wetland habitat and showing them that wetlands are not wastelands. "Good will" or stewardship agreements have been signed with those who own wetlands within the estuary, and in some cases, the wetland has been purchased. The EHJV has prepared a Grand Codroy Estuary Conservation Plan that has been distributed throughout the area. A teacher at the local school has used this plan to prepare a project for his grade 9 social studies class.