News Release

Happy Birthday Last Mountain Lake - 125 Years and Going Strong!

SASKATOON, Sask. - July 6 2012 - For more than 125 years, Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary has been a safe haven for more than 300 bird species and resident wildlife.

"We are proud to recognize our conservation successes in Saskatchewan," said the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister. "Last Mountain Lake is a very special place of international significance for migratory birds, some of which are species at risk, and recognized internationally for its significance".

Last Mountain Lake is located between Regina and Saskatoon in the heart of Canada's prairies. With over 15,000 hectares protected, this is clearly a place of ecological value. "The number of geese during the fall migration is staggering," says Environment Canada biologist Kerry Hecker. "A whirlwind of Snow Geese spiral up into the air, it's almost deafening." In just one day of observations, Hecker recorded over 450,000 Snow Geese, 200,000 ducks and innumerable song and shore birds.

The sanctuary is also important to a quarter of Canada's vulnerable, threatened, or endangered bird species, like the Whooping Crane, who rest there during the long journey from their wintering grounds in Texas to their summer nesting home in Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta.

Established in 1887 by Sir John A. MacDonald, Last Mountain Lake is North America's first federal bird sanctuary, and an example of Canada's legacy of conservation.

For more information, please contact:

Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

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