Minister announces appointments to Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council

Minister of Environment and Conservation Tom Osborne today announced the appointment of seven individuals to the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC). The seven appointments include four re-appointments and three new appointments.

The seven individuals appointed to WERAC are:

Re-appointments:
Bill Montevecchi - Portugal Cove
Laura Jackson - St. John's
Luise Hermanutz - Portugal Cove
Tony Ryan - Port Saunders

New appointments:
Christine Doucet - Corner Brook
Bruce Porter - Lewisporte
Peter Genge - Labrador City

"I am extremely pleased to announce these appointments to WERAC, which advises government on the establishment and management of wilderness and ecological reserves within the province," said Minister Osborne. "The three new members will bring additional expertise and regional representation to the advisory council, while those members who have been re-appointed will continue to make a valuable contribution in our efforts to ensure the protection of our province�s natural heritage."

Minister Osborne said government appreciates the value and advice of the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council, which consists of 11 members who serve on the council for a three-year period. Other members of WERAC include: Phyllis Baird, St. Andrew's; Dr. John McCarthy, St. John's; Graham Wood, Grand Bank; Bill Kelly, Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The minister added that government remains committed to the preservation of our wilderness and ecological reserves and the protection of natural areas in our province.

Council members are selected based on the following criteria:

• significant training, experience or employment in the fields of natural resources;
• appreciation of the role of the WERAC and the reserves establishment process;
• interest in and commitment to the protection of our natural heritage;
• ability to work in a committee setting and time to commit to the working of the council.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575

Christine Doucet
A senior wildlife biologist with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Ms. Doucet assesses the potential impacts of human development on wildlife habitat and populations. She has extensive knowledge of caribou and black bear research and is currently involved in land use planning for wildlife values.

Bruce Porter
A retired wildlife enforcement officer from Central Newfoundland, Mr. Porter has extensive experience in wildlife management and knowledge of the province�s natural history, which is valuable to protected areas planning and conservation education.

Peter Genge
Originally an educator, Mr. Genge is currently employed with the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture program to identify habitat areas for waterfowl and negotiate stewardship agreements between various stakeholders in Western Labrador. Mr. Genge is also a contributing editor for 53 North Magazine - a Labrador journal with significant natural history content.

Dr. Bill Montevecchi
A biology professor with Memorial University�s St. John�s campus, Dr. Montevecchi�s studies have focused on interactions between seabirds and fisheries, and landbirds and forestry. He has conducted extensive field work on many seabird ecological reserves including, Cape St. Mary�s, Baccalieu Island and Funk Island.

Laura Jackson
Ms. Jackson is the executive director for the Protected Areas Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her effective voice and dedication to protected areas planning have resulted in countless conservation goals for the province. Ms. Jackson�s conservation spirit is respected province-wide and throughout Canada.

Dr. Luise Hermanutz
A biology professor with Memorial University�s St. John�s campus, Dr. Hermanutz specializes in conservation biology (plant ecology), protected areas strategies and climate change effects on boreal and arctic ecosystems. A great deal of her fieldwork has been conducted on the Northern Peninsula�s limestone barrens, especially within the Burnt Cape and Watts Point Ecological Reserves.

Tony Ryan
Mr. Ryan is a fisherperson from the Northern Peninsula. As a fisherperson Mr. Ryan has a strong connection with the marine environment and a high conservation ethic, which is critical to the development of protected areas planning. Mr. Ryan is also the mayor of Port Saunders.

2004 07 15                                        11:05 a.m.