Species at Risk Displays Launched in Airports in Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John’s NL, October 18, 2006 – Environment Canada, in collaboration with the St. John’s International Airport Authority, today officially opened the first in a series of species at risk displays that will be set up in airports throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The Government of Canada is committed to protecting our species at risk,” said Michele Brenning, Director General of Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. “This initiative has been launched in an effort to help educate people about the species in Newfoundland and Labrador that are at risk, as well as to provide information on what they can do as individuals to help make a difference.”
In addition to the display at the St. John’s International Airport, travelers will also have the opportunity to learn more about species at risk at the Stephenville Airport, St. Anthony Airport, and at the Goose Bay Airport and Wabush Airport in Labrador. These displays will be launched in the coming weeks. In addition, a species at risk display will be unveiled at the Deer Lake Airport in 2007, following that facility’s expansion.
“Endangered species need exposure and need protection,” said Keith Collins, President and CEO of the St. John’sInternational Airport Authority. “People need to know how to help protect species at risk and these airport displays are a great way to help accomplish this.”
The text of all of the displays will be in English and French, and in Goose Bay and Wabush, Labrador, they will also be in Innu-aimun and Inuttitut. They will be visually attractive and consist of a combination of taxidermy mounts, wood carvings and full-color posters.
Species that will be displayed at the airports include: Barrens Willow, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Boreal Felt Lichen, Fernald’s Braya, Fernald’s Milk-vetch, Long’s Braya, Porsild’s Bryum, Woodland Caribou, Wolverine, Harlequin Duck, Ivory Gull, Newfoundland Marten, Peregrine Falcon, Piping Plover, Polar Bear, Red Crossbill, Rusty Blackbird, and the Short-eared Owl.
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Environment and Conservation played an important role in helping make this project a success by providing technical expertise on the many species that will be profiled.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act (NL ESA) was enacted in 2001. The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) was enacted in 2003. Under these Acts, people are prohibited from killing, harming, harassing, capturing, or taking a listed species; possessing, collecting, buying, selling, or trading a listed species; and damaging or destroying the residence or critical habitat of a listed species.
Websites for more information:
For more information, please contact:
| Kim Mawhinney Environment Canada 709-772-7456 kim.mawhinney@ec.gc.ca |
