Press Release/Communiqué Grand Prairie-Trumpeter Swan Site Recognized as Globally Significant Important Bird Area at 2nd Annual Swan Festival April 30, 2000 For Immediate Release Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, AB— The Grande Prairie-Trumpeter Swan Important Bird Area (IBA) has received international recognition today as a globally significant IBA, joining BirdLife International's global network of IBA sites. The site dedication is part of the 2nd Annual Swan Festival at Saskatoon Island Provincial Park. "By identifying sites of national importance to Canadian bird populations, the Canadian Nature Federation, through the Important Bird Areas program, is engaging communities to protect birds and their habitats for the new millennium," said the Honourable Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Government of Canada's millennium initiative. "I am delighted that the community of Grande Prairie is taking part in Natural Legacy 2000, which receives a contribution of $10 million nationally through the Government of Canada's Millennium Partnership Program." The Important Bird Areas program is being delivered in Canada by the Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada, and in Alberta by the Federation of Alberta Naturalists. As part of the Natural Legacy 2000 initiative, the program has received $1.25 million from the Canada Millennium Partnership Program (CMPP). The partnership program funds up to one third of the eligible costs of projects that meet its criteria, giving people in the community and in the private sector the opportunity to participate in projects by providing at least two thirds of the financial assistance. CMPP-supported projects promote our history, our youth, our arts and culture, our environment and the development of our communities. "The lakes of the Grande Prairie - Trumpeter Swan IBA support significant numbers of breeding and staging Trumpeter Swans, as well as very large numbers of staging ducks." said Leah de Forest, IBA Conservation Biologist at the Canadian Nature Federation. "Over 1 percent of the estimated global population of Trumpeter Swans, and approximately 10 percent of the Rocky Mountain population nest and stage in the Grande Prairie area". Several lakes have also recorded over 20,000 staging ducks during fall migration, suggesting that the Grande Prairie area hosts many tens of thousands of ducks in most years. Over 500 nature and wildlife enthusiasts from the surrounding communities are expected to turn out for the Festival, which is located 25 km west of the city of Grande Prairie in northwest Alberta. "The Festival is an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate and appreciate these incredible birds." says Margot Hervieux, President of the Peace Parkland Naturalists. The 2nd Annual Swan Festival will be held from 12:30 to 5:00 P.M. at Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, and includes bus tours, guided hiking tours within the park, and activities for children. George Newton, Important Bird Areas Community Conservation Planner for the Federation of Alberta Naturalists is working with local communities to develop IBA conservation plans for a number of Important Bird Areas in the province, including the Grande Prairie - Trumpeter Swan IBA. The Federation of Alberta Naturalists, the Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada will continue to work with the surrounding communities to develop appropriate action strategies to ensure that bird populations remain healthy into the next millennium. Presentation of the Grande Prairie - Trumpeter Swan IBA dedication plaque will take place at 12:45 this afternoon at the Saskatoon Island Provincial Park amphitheatre. -30- For more information, please contact: Christie Chute Canadian Nature Federation (613) 562-8208 ext. 245 Andrea Barnes Saskatoon Island Provincial Park (780) 766-2636 George Newton Federation of Alberta Naturalists (780) 422-5582 Marcel Gaumond Millennium Bureau of Canada (519) 943-3239 Web address: Important Bird Areas program: www.ibacanada.com Canada Millennium Partnership Program: www.millennium.gc.ca