Environment and Conservation
May 26, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation:

Minister Acknowledges Work of Stewardship Association of Municipalities

I rise in this Honourable House today to speak about the Municipal Stewardship Program. Unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, the program is a result of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture program - a partnership of governments, conservation organizations and local residents implementing the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. It encourages municipalities and local residents to recognize the value of wildlife habitat found in and near municipal planning boundaries and to implement ‘wise use’ principles as outlined within a conservation plan. The initiative 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 Department of Environment and Conservation, through the Wildlife Division, administers the program and provides an annual contribution of $40,000 as well as in-kind support to Eastern Habitat Joint Venture activities. This funding also helps leverage external revenue from various sources including Environment Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Mr. Speaker, municipalities that sign stewardship agreements have the opportunity to participate in the non-profit organization known as the Stewardship Association of Municipalities Inc. This past Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the association’s Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Town of Flatrock.

The Stewardship Association of Municipalities is a key driver in reinforcing municipalities commitment to wildlife habitat conservation. Supporting the association in its work to protect wildlife habitat in this province aligns closely with my department’s mission of reducing the adverse impacts of human activities on the environment such as climate change and contributes to the overall health of our ecosystems.

The Department of Environment and Conservation was pleased to directly provide the association with approximately $28,000 in funding last fiscal year to support its important work in the area of wildlife habitat conservation.

Of this funding, $10,000 was a contribution to the newly established Stewardship Association of Municipalities’ Conservation Fund, to be used in support of annual scholarships for post-secondary students who demonstrate academic excellence and intend to pursue a career in environmental conservation.

Mr. Speaker, my department values its close relationship with the member municipalities on wildlife habitat conservation and is supportive of the association’s overall conservation efforts. Currently, 33 municipalities province-wide, including the Town of Flatrock, have signed stewardship agreements and I look forward to visiting a number of municipalities over the summer to announce further agreements, thereby expanding the network of environmentally-responsible towns and communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2015 05 26                              1:55 p.m.