News Release

Government of Canada Investing in Community Action to Preserve Local Habitat and Species at Risk on Vancouver Island

Alert Bay, B.C. -- August 11, 2010 -- The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians,on behalf of Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. In total, $588,505 in federal funding will support environmental action focusing on conservation and protection of species at risk and their habitats, helping to preserve Canada’s biodiversity.

“As part of the International Year of Biodiversity, the investments announced today ensure we are taking action to protect the marine mammals in our waterways, the Garry Oak ecosystems on our lands, and the species at risk that call Vancouver Island home,” said Minister Duncan.

“These projects will help to protect Canada’s rich biodiversity for generations to come,” said Minister Prentice. “The Government of Canada is proud to support Vancouver Island through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that is part of our natural heritage.”

Seven Vancouver Island projects are receiving funding, including the Cetus Research and Conservation Society’s Straitwatch program. Straitwatch educates Vancouver Island residents and visitors to reduce human impacts on marine species at risk. 

“Even the smallest behavioural change can make a big, positive difference on the impact boaters have on marine species,” said Nic Dedeluk, chair of the Cetus Research and Conservation Society. “This support for Straitwatch helps us continue our mission of protecting marine mammals from stresses caused by vessel traffic and associated noise.”  

The goal of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is to contribute to the recovery and protection of species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern under the Species at Risk Act.  

Projects that will receive funding this year include stewardship actions to conserve habitat for plant species at risk, negotiations with landowners to develop voluntary Land Care Agreements, targeted educational outreach to reduce species at risk entanglement in fishing gear, and enhancement of water quality and aquatic habitat on private lands to benefit aquatic species at risk. They will be undertaken with many partners such as agricultural producers, private landowners, and commercial fishers. These projects will benefit many species at risk, including the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Steller Sea Lion, the Swift Fox, and the Small White Leek.

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is administered by Environment Canada and managed cooperatively with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency. More information on the Species at Risk Act and the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk can be found on the Internet at: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/ or http://www.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih/default.asp?lang=En&n=59BF488F-1

Related documents:

Government of Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
[Backgrounder - 2010-08-11]

Contributions Under the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk on Vancouver Island in 2010-2011
[Backgrounder - 2010-08-11]

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008

Canada's Environment Minister Twitter page:
http://twitter.com/jimprentice

Environment Canada's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/environmentcan