Environment and Conservation
October 20, 2015

Protecting Our Natural Heritage

Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement Expansion Recognizes Environmental Leadership in Torbay

The Town of Torbay demonstrated its continuing commitment to protecting valuable habitat for wildlife today by officially signing an expansion of its Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement with the Department of Environment and Conservation. The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, was joined by Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape St. Francis, and Ralph Tapper, Mayor of Torbay, at the official signing ceremony.

"The Town of Torbay demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability by seeking to conserve additional wildlife habitat found right in the heart of the community of Torbay. The attitudes and actions of communities who share these areas with waterfowl and other wildlife play a vitally important role in the sustainability and conservation of these species."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation

The Municipal Stewardship Program is unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, and was developed to encourage municipalities to recognize the value of wildlife habitat found in and near their municipal planning boundaries and to promote their role as stewards in maintaining environmental integrity. The success of this program has been recognized both locally and internationally and heralded for its innovation.

"Congratulations to the Town of Torbay on their commitment to conserving and enhancing local wildlife habitats. Your environmental contribution will ensure these wetlands remain a central source of pride today and for future generations."
- Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape St. Francis

The Municipal Stewardship Program serves as an important mechanism for protecting wildlife habitat located within municipal jurisdictions. The Town of Torbay originally signed a Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement in 1997. In addition to Torbay, 34 other municipalities have signed stewardship agreements. A list of these municipalities, along with further information is available in the backgrounder below.

"This agreement represents an expansion of the town's commitment to habitat conservation. Today's signing allows the council to focus on environmental stewardship and the importance of environmental sustainability in municipal planning."
- Ralph Tapper, Mayor, Town of Torbay

QUICK FACTS

• The Town of Torbay officially signed an expansion of its Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement with the Department of Environment and Conservation.
• This expanded agreement will result in the conservation of additional wetland areas found within planning boundaries to those included in its original 1997 agreement.
• Unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, the Municipal Stewardship Program was developed to encourage municipalities to recognize the value of wildlife habitat found in and near their municipal planning boundaries and then to accept a stewardship role in maintaining their integrity.
• In addition to Torbay, 34 other municipalities have signed stewardship agreements.

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Media contacts:

Emily Timmins Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca	Ralph Tapper Mayor Town of Torbay 709-437-1260 rtapper@torbay.ca
Barbara Cadigan Constituency Assistant to Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape. St. Francis 709-729-6979 Barbaracadigan@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
The Municipal Habitat Stewardship Program

In 1986, in light of drastic declines in North American waterfowl populations and in an effort to effectively reverse the trend, the governments of Canada and the United States signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) with a goal to return waterfowl populations to levels of the 1970's by actively conserving wetland and upland habitat. In 1994, Mexico also signed on to the NAWMP, making it a truly continental initiative.

To implement and advance the goals of NAWMP, joint ventures were established across North America. The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) was established in 1989. Partners include the six eastern Canadian provinces, Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador component of the EHJV is administered by the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation. Its primary habitat management tool in Newfoundland and Labrador is the Municipal Stewardship Program.

Town of Torbay joins 34 other municipalities that have signed stewardship agreements: Bauline, Bay Roberts, Burgeo, Bonavista, Carmanville, Cartwright, Channel-Port aux Basques, Come by Chance, Deer Lake, Frenchman's Cove, Flatrock, Flower's Cove, Gambo, Gander, Garnish, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Hawke's Bay, Labrador City, Mary's Harbour, Portugal Cove-St Philip's, Port au Choix, Red Bay, Spaniard's Bay, Springdale, St Anthony, St. John's, St. Lawrence, St. Lewis, Steady Brook, Stephenville Crossing, Wabush, Whitbourne and Winterland.

2015 10 20                              1:20 p.m.