Canada opens new migration monitoring station in the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area in Ontario Français
MILFORD, ON, June 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians love and depend on nature. Nature is the source for the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Nature conservation can also provide over 30% of our global climate solutions. That's why Canada is doubling the amount of nature protected on land and in our oceans.
Yesterday, the Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, Neil Ellis, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced the opening of a new migration monitoring station in the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.
The new station will be leased to the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, a volunteer organization that conducts bird banding activities and teaches visitors about bird migration. The station is solar powered with anti-collision glass windows to prevent bird collisions and features a large viewing window where visitors can see the bird banders at work.
The National Wildlife Area is home to several species at risk, and is one of the busiest and most productive bird banding stations. Every spring and fall thousands of migratory birds pass through the Prince Edward National Wildlife Area.
Quotes
"This new migration monitoring station is an excellent example of partnership. We have an environmental non-governmental organization supporting ECCC to deliver important conservation outcomes. I commend the dedicated volunteers who manage the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and give of their time to improve our understanding of these species and conserve our natural heritage. Together with ECCC they are helping to educate and inspire Canadians of all ages to get outdoors, learn about migratory birds and connect with nature. I encourage Canadians to take advantage of our national wildlife areas and interpretation programming, like that which is offered at the Prince Edward Point NWA."
– Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte
"For over 20 years, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory has enjoyed partnering with the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) to monitor spring and fall bird migration through the National Wildlife Area. Thanks to CWS's generous support, this volunteer run research station is contributing to the knowledge and conservation of bird populations."
– Peter Fuller, President, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
Quick facts
- The Prince Edward Point NWA is part of the Connecting Canadians to Nature initiative that helps Canadians connect with nature and improve visitor services and programming, such as the new bird migration monitoring station.
- Prince Edward Point was one of the ten NWAs across Canada that was identified as being suitable for increased opportunities for nature interpretation activities.
- Additional funding was announced for the Connecting Canadians to Nature initiative through Budget 2018 under the historic Nature Legacy investment of $1.3 billion, to support expansion of NWAs and other protected areas.
- The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO), was established in 1995 to monitor, report and promote the analysis of bird migration for the South Shore of Prince Edward County.
- PEPtBO run spring and fall bird banding every year, collecting data as part of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
- Prince Edward Point NWA is 518 hectares located along Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County. It was established as a NWA in 1978 to protect the large number of migratory birds that use it as stopover or breeding habitat.
- Located between Belleville and Kingston, the Prince Edward Point NWA is part of ECCC's network of protected areas, which includes 55 national wildlife areas and 92 migratory bird sanctuaries.
Associated links
- Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area
- Canada's Nature Legacy: protecting our nature
- Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
- Mission Monarch
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Sabrina Kim, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-743-7138, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]
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