NLIS 5
April 26, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Science will be based in Corner Brook

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Science will be based in Corner Brook. Discussions are now taking place with Memorial University to locate the institute on the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Campus.

The mandate of the Biodiversity Institute is to ensure the research and knowledge requirements of the provincial government will become a focus of the academic community within the province. Government departments, non-governmental agencies and the private sector will conduct research and Memorial University will extend its expertise on resource conservation.

"The institute will be a means to encourage research on natural resources, including research which involves students at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College and the university�s campus in St. John�s," said Minister Bettney. "By locating the institute in Corner Brook, we will be able to promote student research which will complement and enhance government�s research activity."

The institute will coordinate opportunities and activities associated with aspects of natural science, research and development pertinent to provincial interests in wildlife, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and ecosystems. By focusing these energies, it is anticipated that a core of 15-20 student projects will be dedicated annually to an improved understanding of the province�s wildlife resources.

"We have valuable resources in research and knowledge available to us at Memorial University," said Minister Bettney. "I am pleased we are able to co-operate with our academic community in expanding our capabilities in natural resource science."

Dr. Axel Meisen said the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Science would be a welcome addition to the university.

"The university is already host to a number of other outside research agencies and this new provincial government institute suggests an excellent fit, particularly for our Corner Brook campus," said Dr. Meisen. "It will be complementary to the work we are conducting at the Bonne Bay Marine and Research Centre in Norris Point. We expect the institute will encourage more collaboration between government and university scientists on important environmental issues and spur new research and teaching activities at Grenfell College. It should provide outstanding new educational and research opportunities for students, faculty and staff of the university."

The institute will be staffed by two people in Corner Brook, a program development officer and an administrative assistant. It will be guided by a board of directors representing the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and Memorial University.

Minister Bettney said funding of $2.8 million was announced in Budget 2002 to enhance stewardship of this province�s natural resources. Of this amount, $150,000 was provided to establish the institute. The majority of the funding, $2.2 million, is committed to enhance wildlife population surveys and research by the science division. The remainder is allocated to the Natural Heritage Stewardship Secretariat.

"This increased funding for our science division will result in at least eight additional scientists hired in the Corner Brook area," said Minister Bettney. "The science division will provide the necessary scientific research required by the inland fish and wildlife division and parks and recreation division to develop management plans. We are also proceeding with plans to locate the science and wildlife laboratories at the College of the North Atlantic." These labs will be housed in government�s new $2 million lab facility in Corner Brook.

Newfoundland and Labrador still retains large areas of wild land and abundant wildlife resources. The reliance on those resources is a hallmark of the way of life in this province. Government�s decision to commit funding to these initiatives strengthens its leadership role to ensure the resources of the province are protected and promoted for the benefit of everyone.

"We need to be in a position to make sound decisions on resource use and conservation," said Minister Bettney. "It is imperative that we acquire the knowledge to manage our resources sustainably in a way which reflects our social values and economic development. The actions this government is taking now will ensure there is a legacy for future generations."

Media contact:

Carmel Turpin, Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
(709) 729-0928

Ivan Muzychka, Manager
Memorial University News Service
(709) 737-8665

2002 04 26                          3:15 p.m.


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