The town of Cartwright made a commitment today to protecting the habitat of the common eider duck habitat in Cartwright by officially signing a coastal stewardship agreement with the provincial government.
"This program is designed to foster co-operation among the town, local residents, interest groups and the partners of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, and help ensure the sustainability of eider duck populations," Environment Minister Charlene Johnson stated in a news release.
"The signing of a coastal stewardship agreement in Cartwright is a testimony to the community's dedication to conserving this species and its habitat, and I congratulate them on their efforts."
In 1986, in light of a drastic decline in North American waterfowl populations and in an effort to effectively reverse the trend, the governments of Canada and the United States signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) with a goal to return waterfowl populations to 1970s levels by actively conserving wetland and upland habitat. In 1994, Mexico signed on to that agreement making it a truly continental initiative.
To implement NAWMP, joint ventures were established throughout North America. The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) was established in 1989. Partners are the six eastern provinces, Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Newfoundland and Labrador division of the EHJV is administered through the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
"I am very pleased to participate in the signing of this stewardship agreement and enhance awareness around the importance of conserving coastal waterfowl, which has special relevance for the residents of Cartwright," said John Hickey, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, who attended the signing on behalf of Johnson.
Cartwright Mayor Rosetta Holwell said the agreement is of great importance to Cartwright, as well as the larger Table Bay ecosystem and the sea duck populations using it.
"This is a wonderful initiative that highlights our focus on environmental stewardship," she said.
Coastal Stewardship agreement signed in Cartwright
-
Published on
July 13, 2010
- Published on July 20, 2010
-
Staff ~ The Telegram
- Rate
- Top of the page
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
