Executive Council
Environment and Conservation
October 1, 2015

Showcasing Our Natural Wonders

Province Celebrates Completion of UNESCO Field Visit at Mistaken Point

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) completed its field visit to Mistaken Point yesterday, bringing to a close one of the final steps in the nomination process for the ecological reserve to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Joining Dr. Mohd Shafeea Leman, from the IUCN on the field mission team were representatives from Parks Canada, the Department of Environment and Conservation, and world-renowned paleontologist Dr. Guy Narbonne.

"I would like to say thank you to Dr. Mohd Shafeea Leman from the IUCN, for your diligence and consideration this week. I would also like to personally thank the members of Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc., staff of the Provincial Government, and Government of Canada, Dr. Narbonne, as well as the countless volunteers and supporters in Portugal Cove South and surrounding communities for your efforts in this endeavor. Through valuable partnerships, we have made the best representation possible to the IUCN, and I am confident that our passion and dedication to Mistaken Point has been recognized."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The field visit concluded Wednesday night, September 30, with a community celebration in Portugal Cove South, hosted by Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc. Premier Davis attended the event with the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs and MHA for Ferryland. The event included performances by Stella Maris Academy School, Baltimore Academy School, and the Youth and Adult Performers of the 2015 Concert Series.

"Mistaken Point is truly a place of outstanding universal value and I'm confident that UNESCO will agree. I, along with my colleagues, look forward to receiving the decision in July 2016. No matter what the outcome is next year, I could not be more proud of the tremendous work that has gone into this initiative."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation

The IUCN field visit examines the site, as well as community support for the nomination.

"Congratulations to Portugal Cove South and the southern Avalon community for bringing such an important site to the world stage. Mistaken Point is a source of pride not only because it offers such an important piece of earth's puzzle, but because it is a coastline that has helped shape the history and culture of this region."
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs and MHA for Ferryland

Mistaken Point is the first provincially-managed site to be nominated as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"Communities in the region, local organizations, the provincial and federal governments, schools and citizens, have all worked together to do something special to make this UNESCO field visit happen. We can all be proud today because it is truly something achieved by working together."
- Loretta Ryan, Chairperson, Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc.

IUCN will make recommendations to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee six weeks prior to the annual committee meeting, during which the final decision on the Mistaken Point nomination will be made. This meeting will be held July 10-20, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey.

QUICK FACTS

• The IUCN has completed the Mistaken Point field visit which is the next step in the UNESCO World Heritage site inscription process.
• UNESCO designates World Heritage Sites that have 'cultural and/or natural heritage of outstanding universal value.' This designation is highly prestigious and relatively rare, with just 1,031 World Heritage Sites worldwide.
• Should the bid be successful, Mistaken Point will be the first World Heritage Site in Newfoundland and Labrador managed by the Provincial Government.
• Further information about Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve may be found at www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/parks/wer/r_mpe/index.html

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnivey@gov.nl.ca
Emily Timmins Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca	Darlene Dunne Executive Assistant to the Honourable Keith Hutchings MHA for Ferryland 709-729-1390 ddunne@gov.nl.ca
Loretta Ryan Chairperson Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc. 709-689-8994

2015 10 01                              11:30 a.m.