Press Release/Communiqué
Communities
Take Action on International Migratory Bird Day
Saturday May 12, 2000
For Immediate Release
Ottawa,
ON --What do Firefighters from Pomquet Beach, Nova Scotia
have in common with a group of cattle breeders in
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and a naturalist club in
Squamish, British Columbia? The answer is for the
birds
This Saturday
(May 13) is International Migratory Bird Day, and
the Canadian Nature Federation is celebrating by supporting
the work of 47 communities across the country who
are all helping in their own original way to protect
the places that birds call home. Whether protecting
Piping Plovers' beach habitat in the Maritimes, educating
British Columbians about the wintering grounds for
one of our greatest concentrations of Bald Eagles,
or using cattle grazing in Ontario to restore the
short-grass habitat conditions of the Loggerhead Shrike,
these communities are turning their passion for birds
into meaningful action.
Each spring,
as more than a billion birds migrate to Canada, people
across the country are pulling out their binoculars
to catch a glimpse. Bird watching is one of the fastest
growing recreational activities in Canada (the other
is golf); a 1991 survey suggests that over half of
the $5.6 billion that was spent on wildlife activities
in the year was bird-related.
And while
passion for birds is growing, their habitat is not.
The future of many of Canada's 600 bird species depends
on the protection of their migration stops and breeding
grounds. This is where the Canadian Nature Federation's
Important Bird Areas Program is making a difference
by funding the work of dozens of community organizations
in their unique, creative, and determined measures
to conserve bird habitat.
"The
Important Bird Areas program celebrates the enthusiasm,
commitment and knowledge of thousands of dedicated
stewards and recognizes the fundamental role they
play in conserving Canada's birds and their habitats
into the future" noted Julie Gelfand, Executive
Director of the Canadian Nature Federation.
The Important
Bird Areas (IBA) Program is an international initiative
operating in over 100 countries that works to identify
and conserve a network of the most important bird
habitats in the world. In Canada, the Canadian Nature
Federation and Bird Studies Canada have so far identified
250 IBAs, and conservation planners in seven regions
of the country are working with local communities
to identify and put into place measures to ensure
the long-term conservation of these sites. The Community
Action Fund, being launched by the CNF on International
Migratory Bird Day, is an integral component of the
IBA Program that provides financial support to communities
that are working to conserve birds and their habitat.
"Thanks
to the Important Bird Areas Community Action Fund,
communities across the country are taking steps to
protect birds and their habitats on sites that are
identified and dedicated to this cause," said
the Honourable Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister responsible for the Government of Canada=s
millennium initiative. AThis initiative is being carried
out through the Canadian Nature Federation as part
of Natural Legacy 2000, to which the Government of
Canada is contributing $10 million nationally through
the Canada Millennium Partnership Program. Out of
this amount, the Canadian Nature Federation receives
$1,250,000."
The partnership
program funds up to one third of the eligible costs
of millennium projects that meet its criteria. With
communities, non-governmental and governmental organizations
and the private sector, it supports initiatives that
raise awareness of our history, support our youth
and our arts and culture, and enhance our environment
and the development of our communities.
To find
out more, please contact:
Christie
Chute IBA Outreach Coordinator Canadian Nature Federation
1 Nicholas St., Suite 606 Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7 (613)
562-8208 ext. 245 www.ibacanada.com
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