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NLIS 3
September 4, 2001
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 


Municipal Stewardship Agreement signed with the Town of Gambo

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, with Minister Tom Lush, MHA - Terra Nova, announced today the signing of a Municipal Stewardship Agreement with the Town of Gambo.

"In partnership with the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, the Town of Gambo has agreed to responsibly manage the wetlands within this area," said Aylward. "Wetlands provide essential habitat for a diverse array of wildlife in addition to performing a range of other valuable ecological functions. The economic benefits derived from protected wetlands are also significant. Each year in Canada, they generate billions of dollars in revenue by attracting birdwatchers, tourists, hunters and fishers."

The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture focuses on habitat conservation in the six eastern provinces of Canada, and its goals are to directly secure, enhance and restore important wetlands. It achieves this through partnerships between communities, governments, landowners and businesses. Through its Municipal Stewardship Program, the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture works with communities to conserve important wetlands within our province.

As a result of this agreement, Gambo will act as a steward of all wetlands within its boundaries, including the Gambo bog, Dominion Point, Black Duck Pond, and the mouths of Middle Brook, Traverse Brook and Gambo Brook, or "the bight". The signing of this agreement joins Gambo with an international network of communities working together to protect North American wetlands and the wildlife that depend on them. 

"As a cultural value, wetlands have their own unique identity which is tied to the local area through folklore and traditional usage," said Minister Lush. "This Municipal Stewardship Agreement is in keeping with much of the cultural and tourism developments that are taking place in this region of the province."

Now that a Municipal Stewardship Agreement has been signed, the staff of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture will begin the preparation of a habitat management plan specific for that town. This plan will provide detailed inventories of wildlife located within the protected areas, as well as give recommendations and advice for protecting and enhancing the wetland habitats.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2001 09 04                                               3:35 p.m.  


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