Fisheries and Land Resources
September 27, 2017

Provincial Government, Town of Lewisporte Sign Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, and Derek Bennett, MHA for Lewisporte-Twillingate, joined outgoing Mayor Brian Sceviour in Lewisporte today to sign a Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement that will help protect valuable wetland and coastal habitats located in the community.

The Municipal Habitat Stewardship Program encourages municipalities to recognize the value of wildlife habitat found in and near municipal planning boundaries and to take an active role in maintaining their value and integrity. 

The Town of Lewisporte is the 39th community in the province to enter into a Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement with the Provincial Government. A complete list of communities participating in the program are highlighted in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“The Municipal Habitat Stewardship program offers municipalities a unique opportunity to work in partnership with the Provincial Government and to demonstrate how the sharing of ideas and resources can improve the conservation of our natural landscapes.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

“I am pleased that the Town of Lewisporte has joined the many communities across our province committed to habitat conservation and environmental stewardship. Entering into such an important agreement will ensure wetland and coastal habitats in this area are protected for residents and visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”
Derrek Bennett
MHA Lewisporte – Twillingate

 “Entering into this agreement is a significant accomplishment. It recognizes our focus on environmental stewardship and provides us with the tools and knowledge we need to incorporate environmental sustainability in the municipal planning process.” 
Outgoing Mayor Brian Sceviour
Town of Lewisporte

- 30 -

Learn more 
Municipal Stewardship -www.flr.gov.nl.ca/wildlife/stewardship/wetland/municipal/index.html

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL External Link Icon and @FLR_GovNL External Link Icon

From left, standing, Betty Clarke, mayor-elect; Derek Bennett, MHA, Lewisporte-Twillingate; Brian Sceviour, outgoing mayor, (seated) and the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, signed a Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement today in Lewisporte that will help protect valuable wetland and coastal habitats located in the community.

Media contacts
Craig Renouf
Media Relations Manager
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 709-632-8167
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

Kristina George
Communications Coordinator
Government Members Office
709-729-5306
KristinaGeorge@gov.nl.ca

Brian Peckford
Town of Lewisporte
709-535-2737
brian@lewisportecanada.com

 

Backgrounder

Communities Entered Into Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreements

Thirty-nine communities have entered into Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreements with the Provincial Government seeking to conserve wildlife habitat found within municipal planning boundaries. They are:

  • Bauline
  • Bay Roberts
  • Burgeo
  • Bonavista
  • Carmanville
  • Cartwright,
  • Channel-Port aux Basques
  • Come by Chance
  • Deer Lake
  • Frenchman’s Cove,
  • Flatrock
  • Flower’s Cove
  • Forteau
  • Gambo
  • Gander
  • Garnish
  • Grand Falls-Windsor
  • Happy Valley-Goose Bay
  • Hawke’s Bay
  • Indian Bay
  • Labrador City
  • Lewisporte
  • Mary’s Harbour
  • New Wes Valley
  • Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
  • Port aux Choix
  • Red Bay
  • Spaniard’s Bay
  • Springdale
  • St. Anthony
  • St. John’s
  • St. Lawrence
  • St. Lewis
  • Steady Brook
  • Stephenville Crossing
  • Torbay
  • Wabush
  • Whitbourne
  • Winterland.

 

2017 09 27                                                    12:30 p.m.