Environment and Conservation
July 15, 2011
National Parks Day Helps Showcase Province’s Natural Beauty
National Parks Day 2011, celebrated July 16, will help showcase national parks, national historic sites, provincial parks, territorial parks and community and regional parks across Canada. First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an opportunity for Canadians to get involved in numerous activities taking place in every province and territory.
“We are fortunate to have an abundance of parks and reserves throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, both national and provincial, which highlight the natural beauty of our province,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “I encourage residents and visitors alike to explore our special outdoor places on National Parks Day, and take part in the various events that are taking place.”
To coincide with National Parks Day, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) and Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial parks are partnering to bring outdoor environmental education to park visitors. The MMSB has developed two youth-oriented hikes to teach park guests about the natural wonders of the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle - while exploring the earth’s natural resources.
“Environmental education has always been a major focus of our interpretation programs within the parks and incorporating the 3Rs into our programming is a great fit,” said Minister Wiseman. “We have an opportunity, through an outdoor, natural setting, to educate park visitors about how the 3Rs can be used to help keep Newfoundland and Labrador clean and healthy.”
The 3R Hike Program highlights the need to conserve Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural resources, while investigating how the 3Rs can be used to lessen the impact on resource use. The program will be delivered by provincial parks staff throughout the summer. The hikes are available at the following parks; Butter Pot, Barachois Pond, J.T. Cheesman, La Manche, Lockston Path, Notre Dame, Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, Mistaken Point and Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve.
“Partnering with provincial parks is a natural fit for the MMSB’s waste reduction and conservation messages,” said Leigh Puddester, MMSB Chair and CEO. “Parks are a perfect place to learn how nature reduces, reuses and recycles and by partnering with the parks, we have an opportunity to reach thousands of youth throughout the summer months.”
For more information about Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial parks and their interpretation programs, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/parks/index.html.
In addition to the 3R hike being delivered at provincial parks throughout the summer, the MMSB has also partnered with the Fluvarium and MUN Botanical Garden to bring the 3R hike to each of their summer programs throughout July and August. Children must be pre-registered for both of these programs.
The MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to the Minister of Environment and Conservation. The MMSB supports modern waste management practices in the province, with a particular focus on waste diversion, recycling and public education, in order to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Media contacts:
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Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Cara Pike Director of Communications MMSB 709-757-3696, 689-4795 cpike@mmsb.nl.ca |
2011 07 15 9:45 a.m.