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Government of Canada and Atlantic Provincial Governments commit to wetland conservation 
Fredericton, N.B., May 22, 2009 — Today the Government of Canada made a funding announcement to the Atlantic Habitat Partnership Initiative. With this announcement, the partnership between the federal and provincial governments, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and private funders is ready to roll for wetland conservation in the Maritime provinces.
Commitments have been secured from the Governments of Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to invest in a new initiative called the Atlantic Habitat Partnership Initiative. The Premier of New Brunswick, Shawn Graham was the first to announce a commitment of $1.5 million on March 12, 2009 and on May 22, 2009 the Honourable Greg Thompson on behalf of Environment Canada Minister Jim Prentice announced a federal commitment of $3.0 million. Through the Atlantic Habitat Partnership Initiative a Wetland Sustainability Fund of $9 million will be created to protect and conserve over 100,000 acres of significant wetland habitat on 1,000 sites across Atlantic Canada.
“We congratulate these governments on their leadership in providing funding to protect Atlantic Canada’s wetlands,” says DUC’s executive vice-president Jeff Nelson. “Wetlands provide many environmental benefits to Canadians and DU Canada is pleased to have this recognized and supported by the Government of Canada and Provincial Governments in Atlantic Canada. This significant investment and commitment to this partnership illustrates that our conservation work is important. It says that wetlands and the environment are valued by all Canadians.”
“Our funding will help to ensure the conservation and protection of a biodiversity of native and migratory birds and many other types of wildlife in the Atlantic provinces for many years to come.” said Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) Keith Ashfield. “Our government’s investment will co-fund five years of infrastructure construction projects in wetland areas that will provide jobs and stimulate local economies.”
This commitment to wetland protection is an investment to the key environmental issues Canadians care about: clean water, carbon sequestration and storage, air quality, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. Wetlands also aid in times of weather fluctuations, helping to mitigate the effects of droughts, floods and climate change. In addition to the numerous direct benefits to the environment, wetlands provide beautiful natural areas for recreation year-round.
“These are tremendous investments by Governments during these tough economic times to sustain our valuable natural resources” says Mac Dunfield, Senior Atlantic Director. “Government leaders have to make difficult budgetary decisions on a wide spectrum of issues and we appreciation their support for wetland conservation.”
For more information, contact:
Kelly MacDonald, k_macdonald@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (902) 667-8726 ext 226
