An agreement to protect waterfowl habitat was officially signed today between the Town of Hawke�s Bay and the Department of Environment and Conservation. The agreement is part of the Municipal Wetland Stewardship Program, an initiative of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) which includes the Provincial and Federal Governments, and agencies such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

"Today, the community of Hawke�s Bay joins a growing community-based wetland conservation movement in the province," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "We must continue to focus on our wetland ecosystems and conserve our vitally important wetland habitats for the benefit of waterfowl in the province. This agreement places the responsibility of sustainable resource management into the hands of the people who know the land best and who have demonstrated a passion for its stewardship."

The Municipal Wetland Stewardship Program was developed to encourage municipalities to recognize the value of their wetlands and to accept a stewardship role in maintaining these areas. The success of this program has been recognized both locally and internationally, and has been heralded as a model for public policy aimed at environmental sustainability.

Hawke�s Bay Mayor Lloyd Bennett joined Minister Johnson at the signing of the stewardship agreement. "This is another example of the Town of Hawke�s Bay and its citizens becoming good stewards of the environment," said Mayor Bennett. "The signing of a wetland stewardship agreement goes hand-in-hand with other stewardship-related initiatives in the community like today�s opening of the Torrent River Salmon Interpretation Centre and Nature Park. We are looking to someday have Hawke�s Bay serve as a hub for ecotourism in the province."

"The wetlands in this area are more than a landscape form," said Wally Young, MHA for the District of St. Barbe. "They are one of the key life support systems on our planet, and a very important part of the ecosystem and economy of Hawke�s Bay. I am very pleased with the official signing of this agreement here today."

Minister Johnson encourages more municipalities to examine the notion of community-driven wetland stewardship. "The engagement of communities is critical in conserving our wetland sites, and I hope that more municipalities will become engaged in initiatives like this one and demonstrate their commitment to protecting our environment," said the minister.

The Municipal Stewardship Program serves as an important mechanism for protecting wetlands located within municipal jurisdictions. In addition to Hawke�s Bay, 17 other municipalities have signed stewardship agreements including Bay Roberts, Carmanville, Channel-Port aux Basques, Come by Chance, Gambo, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City, Spaniard�s Bay, Springdale, St. John�s, Stephenville Crossing, Torbay, Wabush, Whitbourne and Winterland.

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Media contact:
Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca