SKIDEGATE, BC, November 13, 2009--On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. John Duncan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, British Columbia, today announced a Government of Canada investment of over $2.3 million in visitor experience and environmental protection projects for Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. This investment is another demonstration of Canada’s international leadership in the area of ecological management and restoration.
As part of this investment, the Government will spend over $1.4 million on large-scale rat eradication, with an ultimate goal of restoring historic seabird nesting colonies, including those of the Ancient Murrelet, a species at risk.
“National parks protect the environment and biodiversity for future generations so Canadians have an opportunity to experience, enjoy and understand these special places,” said Mr. Duncan. “This project will correct an imbalance that will allow seabirds and other creatures to return to their natural homes and thrive and is a significant step toward re-establishing a healthy ecosystem.”
In addition, the Government will invest close to $900,000 to restore salmon spawning and rearing habitat on Lyell Island, the site of the Haida-led protest against logging that resulted in the creation of Gwaii Haanas as a Haida and federally-protected area.
“Restoring the salmon streams on Lyell Island, the birthplace of Gwaii Haanas, by restoring the forests around the streams inspires us all to look at the inseparable link between land and sea,” said Mr. Duncan.
Today’s announcement is part of Parks Canada’s Action on the Ground Program, a nation-wide initiative to engage Canadians in a range of conservation activities that promote the ecological integrity of Canada’s national parks.
“I am delighted to see these Action on the Ground projects rallying public support in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site,” said Minister Prentice. “Protecting the environment is our shared responsibility. These are exactly the types of projects that yield long-lasting results and have the potential to encourage visitors to do their part to help protect the environment.”
Speaking about the abundance of life that impresses visitors today and how it pales in comparison to former years, Guujaaw, President of the Haida Nation said, “Human activities have had its toll. Having moved from conflict to peace in Gwaii Haanas, we have given the lands a chance to heal, everything we can do now to restore the natural order around us is to the benefit of the planet."
Canada’s national parks resonate for Canadians as a significant symbol of our natural heritage. National parks and other protected areas provide opportunities for Canadians to experience, discover, understand and appreciate their natural heritage. They help conserve biodiversity for generations to come; they generate economic benefits to adjacent communities all across the country; and they can serve as living laboratories to help us to understand the state of our ecosystems.
Information:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Drue Kendrick
Gwaii Haanas National Park
Field Unit Office
Parks Canada
250-559-6306
