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Top (left to right): DUC manager of Territorial and Boreal operations Eric Butterworth, Isidore Manuel and Tammy Proctor of Fort Good Hope and DUC Northwest Territories manager Shannon Haszard. Above: Former Environment Minister John Baird, another DUC nominee, speaks at the event.
DUC nominates boreal winners
Project aims to benefit wildlife habitat and take action on sustainable agriculture.
January 22, 2009, Oak Hammock Marsh, Man. – The Canadian Boreal Initiative recently presented its annual Boreal Awards to a select number of boreal conservation-minded Canadians. Among conservation leaders honored with the award were Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) nominees federal Transport Minister and former Environment Minister John Baird and the First Nation community of Fort Good Hope. Both DUC nominations were for far-reaching vision, diligent work and collaborative initiatives to protect land within Canada’s boreal forest.
The boreal is one of the largest and most intact ecosystems on the planet, and is home to billions of migratory birds, some of the largest caribou herds on the planet, and many other wildlife species. It is a vital storehouse of carbon and a major reservoir of the world’s clean, fresh water.
“It was immediately obvious to our selection committee that the nominees were a true example of outstanding political leadership and individual action at the community level,” says Larry Innes, executive director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative. “We are pleased to recognize leadership and willingness to collaborate to bring about results; every success brings us closer to seeing at least half of Canada’s boreal forest protected. Through a visionary approach to land use and stewardship planning, we can ensure a prosperous future for all Canadians.”
DUC nominated Baird for his efforts as environment minister in November 2007, when together with Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, he announced the largest collective land withdrawal in Canadian history, providing long-awaited interim protection for the Ramparts River and Wetlands Candidate Protected Area, as well as for Akaitcho lands, including the expansion of East Arm National Park. The end result was the protection of over 30 million acres of pristine Canadian wilderness, ensuring that these lands and their legacy are preserved for generations to come.
The community of Fort Good Hope was recognized for their great fortitude and dedication to conservation as they worked with many stakeholders and government agencies through the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy to obtain interim protection for the 25,000-square-kilometre Ramparts River and wetlands as a future Environment Canada National Wildlife Area.
“The commitment to maintain the health of the trees, rivers, lakes, and wetlands of the boreal is deep-rooted and heavily influences the attitudes, goals and policies of the community.” says Shannon Haszard, DUC’s Northwest Territories manager. “This success demonstrates the power of communities to make decisions about how their land and resources should be managed.”
Among others receiving a Boreal Award was Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, who recently announced Ontario would protect more than 50 per cent of the province’s Far North region, spanning an area of at least 225,000 square kilometres.
For more information please contact:
Leigh Patterson
Corporate Media Relations Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (204) 467-3306
l_patterson@ducks.ca
