Press Release/Communiqué Delta Marsh Recognized as Globally Significant Important Bird Area (IBA) May 14th, 1999 For Immediate Release Delta Marsh, Manitoba — Delta Marsh received international recognition today as a globally significant Important Bird Area (IBA), joining BirdLife International's global network of IBA sites. The site dedication is part of the celebrations in the first annual Delta Marsh Birding Festival which runs May 13–16, 1999. An afternoon tour of the Delta Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Centre and an evening banquet featuring the IBA plaque presentation are being held today in the site's honour. "The Government of Canada is proud to support the dedication and conservation of this beautiful freshwater marsh," said the Honourable Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Government of Canada's Millennium Initiative. "Together, the local community, national groups, and federal and provincial governments are working to ensure that Delta Marsh and other IBA sites are conserved well into the next millennium." The Important Bird Areas Program is being delivered in Canada by the Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada. As part of the Natural Legacy 2000 initiative, the program has received $1.25 million in funding from the Canada Millennium Partnership Program. "Delta Marsh is one of the largest and most famous freshwater marshes in the world" said Michael Bradstreet, Executive Director of Bird Studies Canada and keynote speaker at the Festival. "During aerial surveys, up to 100,000 ducks have been recorded here, with the most abundant species being Mallard, Gadwall and Blue-winged Teal." The area also acts as a migrational corridor for landbirds like the Least Flycatcher, which concentrate along the shores of Lake Manitoba. Over 200 birders and nature lovers from communities near and far are turning out for the Festival, which is located approximately 30 km from Portage la Prairie. "It is a chance for the whole community to get out and celebrate nature," says Russ Mead of the Delta Marsh Observatory. The Delta Marsh Birding Festival features activities ranging from daily guided birding tours to photography workshops. Site dedication is the first step to long-term conservation under the Important Bird Areas Program. The Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada will continue to work with the Delta Waterfowl Research Station, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Province of Manitoba and all local partners, including the Delta Marsh Bird Observatory to conserve this vital area. Presentation of the Delta Marsh IBA dedication plaque will take place this evening at 7:30 p.m.   Backgrounder follows. For more information, please contact: Christie Chute, Canadian Nature Federation (613) 562-8208 ext. 245 Russ Mead, Delta Marsh Birding Festival (204) 857-8637 Danielle Thibault Millennium Bureau of Canada (613) 995-2154 Web address: IBA Program: http://www.ibacanada.com Delta Marsh Birding Festival: www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/science/delta_marsh/festival/ Canada Millennium Partnership Program: www.millennium.gc.ca     © 2002 IBA CANADA