Media Advisory - International Science Symposium on Quebec's Plan Nord

Government, scientists to set path for boreal ecosystem protection

MONTREAL, April 24, 2012 /CNW/ - "Planning the conservation of Quebec's northern ecosystems: the challenge of a decade" will bring scientists and other experts together to determine solutions for the government of Quebec's ambitious land planning commitment in its Plan Nord region. Legislation to codify these protections was introduced in the National Assembly April 17.

Symposium attendees will include top international and Quebec scientists, aboriginal and non-aboriginal experts in community and land use planning, and natural resource conservation and management, key government officials, and conservation organizations. Expected outcomes are a series of questions and practical recommendations to the Quebec government. To read the full list of participants, see www.scienceqc.ca.

WHEN:	Symposium takes place April 25-27, 2012. Key media opportunities are: Opening cocktail: Wednesday, April 25, 2012: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Closing events: Friday, April 27, 2012:
		Plenary session: 3:30 p.m. Speech by Minister of Sustainable Development, Pierre Arcand: 4:45 p.m. Media availability: 5:00 p.m.
WHO:	Government officials, Aboriginal and NGO reps, and leading scientists, including: Pierre Arcand, Minister, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) Didier Babin, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity Norman Barichello, Ross River Dena First Nation Patrick Beauchesne, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) Stephen Kakfwi, former Premier of the Northwest Territories and former Grand Chief of the Dene Nation James Levitt, Director, Program on Conservation Innovation at the Harvard Forest, Harvard University Nik Lopoukhine, International Union for the Conservation of Nature Brendan Mackey, Director of the Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University, Australia Mike McKenzie, Vice-chief, Uashat mak Mani-Utenam David Schindler, Professor of Ecology, Biological Sciences, University of Alberta Norman Sterriah, Ross River Dena First Nation
WHERE:	Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre and the Montréal Botanical Garden 4101 Sherbrooke St. E. Montreal, Quebec

SPONSORS: Government of Québec, Canadian Boreal Initiative, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

PARTNERS: International Union for Conservation of Nature, First Nations of Québec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute, Ducks Unlimited Canada, The Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre, Space for Life, Montréal Botanical Garden

 

 

Mathew Jacobson
Pew Environment Group, International Boreal Conservation Campaign, Quebec
202-277-8463

Suzanne Fraser
Canadian Boreal Initiative
613-232-2530 or 613-552-7277
[email protected]