May 7 , 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Canadian Nature Federation and Canadian communities welcome back migratory birds with 31 community projects (Ottawa–May 7, 2003) — Each spring thousands of migratory birds return to Canada. To celebrate their journey ‘home’, the Canadian Nature Federation is announcing support for 31 community-based bird conservation projects across the country on May 10th—International Migratory Bird Day. Through its Important Bird Areas program, the Nature Canada is helping local conservation groups across Canada to work in their communities to conserve bird habitat of global importance. The projects are as diverse as an Eagle Watch volunteer education program in Squamish, B.C., to a forest habitat assessment for birds at risk in southwestern Ontario. “Each spring, over 350 species of migrating birds fill the skies, forests and wetlands across Canada on their way to northern nesting grounds,” says Julie Gelfand, president of the Canadian Nature Federation. “With our support, volunteers across the country are able to protect local bird habitats and ensure the birds have a safe place to return each year.” Over the last four years the Canadian IBA program has assisted bird conservation projects in over 130 communities with $350,000 in funding and support. This year’s projects have been made possible thanks to Nature Canada’s supporters as well as corporate partners TransCanada, Petro-Canada, Falconbridge and Noranda. “Spring is a time to celebrate rebirth and renewal” noted Gelfand, “What a better way to do so, than to recognize all the fantastic efforts taking place across the country to safeguard our precious wildlife”. —30— BACKGROUNDER For more information, please contact: Marc Johnson IBA program manager Canadian Nature Federation 1-800-267-4088 Mobile: 1-613-762-0048 The Canadian Nature Federation is a member-based non-profit nature conservation organization dedicated to protecting nature, its diversity, and the processes that sustain it. Our supporters include over 40,000 individual supporters and 100 affiliated organizations, including local and provincial naturalist groups. The Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada are Canadian co-partners in BirdLife International, a global partnership of conservation organizations and research institutions that conserve birds, habitat and global biodiversity.