Government releases document on Natural Areas Plan strategy

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today released a document which outlines government�s strategy on the province�s Natural Areas Plan, entitled Protecting Our Natural Heritage. Minister Furey was joined by Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Education (Acting), Dr. Luise Hermanutz, co-chair of the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) and Laura Jackson, executive director of the Protected Areas Association.

"As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we are blessed to live in a place where we can appreciate daily the beauty of our natural spaces and the outstanding diversity of our wildlife," said Furey. "The protection and preservation of natural areas and species offers exceptional benefits, enjoyment and educational opportunities for present and future generations, and the release of this document is an important step in achieving our goal of protecting our natural heritage."

Protecting Our Natural Heritage is a policy document which outlines how government intends to achieve the objective of protecting the province�s natural spaces, and is the initial step in a process which will result in the release of the Natural Areas Plan. Release of the Natural Areas Plan will occur after an extensive consultation process which will provide full opportunity for public participation and cooperation with other government and industry interests.

"In 1992, Newfoundland and Labrador was signatory to a national accord committing the provinces, territories and federal government to protecting representative examples of Canada�s natural heritage," added Furey. "With the release of this policy document, we are making an important step towards fulfilling this commitment."

"WERAC is extremely pleased that the government is bringing forward this strategy," says Dr. Hermanutz. "We look forward to the public release of the completed Natural Areas Plan because we are the last province in Canada without such a plan in place."

Laura Jackson, executive director of the Protected Areas Association was also pleased with today�s announcement. "This is going to move us towards real sustainable development in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Jackson. "If, instead of simply clear cutting an entire watershed, we conserve a significant portion uncut, we will at last truly keep a balance on the landscape between conservation and development."The news conference took place at St. Matthews Elementary School, where environmental values are promoted and advanced. "One of the main themes of the proposed Natural Areas Plan is ensuring for the youth of this province, a future which will sustain our treasured natural heritage," said Matthews. "The principle of environmental stewardship is an important one, and one which must be instilled into the minds of our youth, who are the guardians of our future. As such, a copy of this policy document will be distributed to every single school in the province."Copies of Protecting Our Natural Heritage may be obtained by contacting the Parks and Natural Areas division of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation at (709) 729-2424.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2000 10 26 1:35 p.m.