OTTAWA, July 31, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, announced today $5.2 million over 3 years in additional support of 12 new North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) projects.
In partnership with Mexico, the United States of America and conservation organizations across the country, the Government of Canada helps implement the NAWMP program. The goal of the NAWMP is to conserve migratory waterfowl throughout North America; this is accomplished through protection and restoration of important wetlands and related habitat for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife.
This initiative plays an important part in the National Conservation Plan, which was launched by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in May 2014 to conserve and restore Canada's natural heritage while connecting Canadians to nature.
Partnership-based projects like these help protect and conserve wetlands and their associated uplands by securing and restoring these important ecosystems.
Quick Facts
- This announcement is in addition to the National Conservation Plan which is providing $50 million over five years to restore and enhance wetlands.
- The NAWMP is delivered in: British Columbia through the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture and the Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture; the Prairie Provinces through the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture; and Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces through the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture. Joint Ventures are public-private partnerships which have been established across North America to conserve wetland habitat and associated waterfowl species.
- Wetlands generate billions of dollars in economic benefits to Canadians each year. Wetlands also provide enormous environmental benefits to Canadians by protecting against floods, improving water quality and supply, controlling erosion and supporting a host of recreational activities.
- In Canada, more than 200 bird species (including 45 species of waterfowl) and over 50 species of mammals depend on wetlands for food and habitat. Many of these are species at risk.
- As host to thousands of plant and animal species, wetlands are second only to rainforests in the level of biodiversity supported.
Quotes
"Building on the achievements of the National Conservation Plan, our Government is working with our partners to conserve and restore waterfowl habitats across the country under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Our investments support this collaboration, which helps sustain the habitat of more than 200 bird species and one third of our species at risk in Canada."
– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council
Related Product
Backgrounder - What is the North American Waterfowl Management Plan?
Environment Canada's Twitter page
Environment Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment Canada
Media Relations, Environment Canada, 819-934-8008
Share this article