Fisheries and Land Resources
November 16, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources:

Government Highlights Benefits of Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreements

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise and inform this Honourable House about the Municipal Habitat Stewardship Program, an extremely worthwhile initiative that is creating valuable partnerships between the Provincial Government and municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

This program is administered by the Wildlife Division of the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources, and encourages municipalities and local residents throughout the province to recognize the value of wildlife habitat located within and near municipal planning boundaries. It also provides towns with access to the expertise and tools needed to take an active stewardship role in maintaining their value and integrity.

Several municipalities have successfully used support provided through this program to protect habitat for a variety of waterfowl, shorebird, seabird and songbird populations.

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes wildlife resources provide tremendous recreational, social, spiritual and economic benefit to the people of the province. Through this program, which is unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, government has established 39 formal Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreements with communities stretching from Forteau to Channel-Port aux Basques to St. John’s in a process that recognizes and incorporates stewardship and conservation into the municipal planning process.

We also plan to build upon the success of this program by entering into two more Municipal Habitat Stewardship Program agreements in the coming days.

Mr. Speaker, I extend congratulation to all participating communities for demonstrating the foresight and commitment to being involved in the Municipal Habitat Stewardship program and look forward to participation from many others in the future.

Thank you.

2017 11 16                              1:45 p.m.