National Wildlife Week is being celebrated this week, April 5-11, to coincide with the birth date of the late Jack Miner, the founder of the conservation movement in Canada. During National Wildlife Week, provinces and territories partner with the Canadian Wildlife Federation to inform and educate the public on environmental and wildlife issues.

"This year�s theme, Our Home and Native Plants, showcases the importance of our province�s native plants and their role in keeping our ecosystems healthy," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "We must all do our part to actively help conserve our native plants, as they contribute to the biodiversity of our province and provide food and shelter for many wild animal species."

To celebrate National Wildlife Week, the Department of Environment and Conservation will be hosting a number of activities throughout the province. Wildlife staff in Corner Brook and at the Salmonier Nature Park will be launching a new environmental education outreach program to schools across the province.

Salmonier Nature Park will also hold its annual Wild About Art contest. Classes and students across the province are invited to submit art based on this year�s National Wildlife Week theme. Winners will receive prizes, including an I-pod, and the winning art will be on exhibit at Salmonier Nature Park during the 2009 visitation season. A National Wildlife Week drawing contest will also be delivered to elementary schools in Corner Brook and surrounding areas.

"The theme for our new outreach program coincides with the National Wildlife Week theme for this year, and it will focus on various plant and wildlife species and their importance to our environment," said Minister Johnson. "These presentations will be directly related to the school curriculum and will highlight the significance of these species in our provincial ecosystems."

A National Wildlife Week radio contest will be hitting the airwaves on K-Rock, starting Wednesday, April 8. During the week, questions will be asked and listeners will have a chance to call in with the correct answer. Winners will receive prize packages donated by the wildlife division in Corner Brook.

Throughout the week, the wildlife division in Corner Brook will also host a lunchtime speaker series at 177 Riverside Drive from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The following presentations are open to the public:

• April 6 Andrus Voitk: Four Labrador Mushroom Interactions with Our Home and Native Plants.
• April 7 Dulcie House: Limestone Barrens: Nature�s Rock Garden.
• April 8 Henry Mann and Ed Andrews: Northern and Southern Wildflowers of Western Newfoundland and Labrador: Why do they differ?
• April 9 Glen Knee: Native Trees of Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information on National Wildlife Week activities or to book a school presentation, please call Salmonier Nature Park at 709-229-7888 or the Corner Brook office at 709-637-2007.

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Media contact:

Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca