Environment and Conservation
May 31, 2013
Premier Dunderdale Participates in Municipal Wetland Stewardship Agreement Signing
The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, joined the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor today to sign the expansion of the Municipal Wetland Stewardship Agreement.
“The wetlands in our province are among the most productive and diverse of all ecosystems on earth and are critically important to local populations of fish, wildlife and plants that depend on them for survival,” said Premier Dunderdale. “I applaud the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and those who are working with them to preserve these valuable habitats.”
As a result of the expanded agreement, Grand Falls-Windsor joins a growing network of 28 other municipalities across the province that have agreed to protect wetland and waterfowl habitat within municipal boundaries.
“I’m proud of the desire the people of our province have shown to protect our environment,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “Acting as stewards of the environment now will ensure our wildlife habitats are sustainable for years to come.”
The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, and Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor Green Bay South, joined Premier Dunderdale for today’s announcement.
“I stand with the Premier today to witness the signing of an agreement which will put my constituents into an elite group of municipalities that have made a promise to make our community better,” said Minister Sullivan. “The Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association’s responsible actions and commitment to preservation have made you role models.”
The Municipal Stewardship Program is unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, and was developed to encourage municipalities to recognize the value of wildlife habitat found in their municipal planning boundaries with a commitment to protecting them.
The 20-year success of this innovative conservation program has been recognized both locally and internationally. The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor signed the original municipal stewardship agreement in 1998.
“This is a testament to the value of this program and to the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor’s commitment to habitat stewardship,” said Mr. Hunter.
Grand Falls-Windsor Deputy Mayor Anne Blackmore called the expansion of the agreement an example of the environmental values of the town.
“The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor will ensure the long-term protection and enhancement of these habitats,” said Deputy Mayor Blackmore. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Province on such a vital project for our region.”
The agreement was a goal of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
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Media contacts:
| Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Tracey Boland Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 697-3128 traceyboland@gov.nl.ca |
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Deborah Thomas Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 728-8092 deborahthomas@gov.nl.ca |
Nancy Dawe Constituency Assistant for the Honourable Susan Sullivan MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans 709-489-3409 nancydawe@gov.nl.ca |
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Debbie Robertson Constituency Assistant for Ray Hunter MHA Grand Falls-Windsor - Green Bay South 709-729-6932 debbierobertson@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Municipal Wetland Stewardship Agreement
In 1986, in light of drastic declines in North American waterfowl populations and in an effort to effectively reverse the trend, the governments of Canada and the United States signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) with a goal to return waterfowl populations to levels of the 1970’s by actively conserving wetland and upland habitat. In 1994, Mexico also signed on to the NAWMP, making it a truly continental initiative.
To implement and forward the goals of NAWMP, joint ventures were established across North America. The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) was established in 1989. Partners include the six eastern Canadian provinces, Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador node of the EHJV is administered by the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation. Its primary program seeking to conserve wildlife habitat in Newfoundland and Labrador is the Municipal Stewardship Program.
2013 05 31 10:00 a.m.