News Release

Official Presentation of the Hummingbird Video and Collector Coin to Celebrate National Wildlife Week

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - April 11, 2007 - The Canadian Wildlife Federation, Environment Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint are teaming up to celebrate National Wildlife Week 2007 at the Canadian Museum of Nature on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The celebrations include two exciting events featuring the ruby-throated hummingbird:

• The unveiling of the newest video in the "wildly" successful Hinterland Who's Who series, featuring one of Canada's most popular birds, the ruby-throated hummingbird.
• The Royal Canadian Mint's official launch of a painted 25-cent collector coin to commemorate this amazing little bird that weighs less than a nickel!

The Canadian Wildlife Federation, one of Canada's largest non-profit conservation organizations, and Environment Canada have been working together on the Hinterland Who's Who wildlife education program since it was relaunched in 2003. 

"The Hinterland Who's Who series plays an important role in engaging and educating Canadians in wildlife and conservation," said the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment. "I'd like to congratulate the Canadian Wildlife Federation and their partners for the valuable, on-the-ground work they do to conserve and preserve nature."

Representing Minister Baird at the event, Ottawa-Orleans Member of Parliament Royal Galipeau congratulated all the organizations who have made Hinterland Who's Who a cherished Canadian success,  "Like all the others, this new vignette gives us interesting insight into the habits and habitat of one of Canada's most beloved creatures." 

The Royal Canadian Mint and its employees selected wildlife and nature as one of its causes of choice under its charitable donations program. This project reflects the beauty of wildlife often depicted on Canadian coins.

"Supporting wildlife conservation efforts is very important to employees at the Mint," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "We are pleased to join the Canadian Wildlife Federation in celebrating one of Canada's most beautiful birds featured on this stunning new collector coin."

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is pleased to be collaborating with Environment Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint in the effort to promote wildlife conservation in Canada. "We are delighted to rekindle the connection that Canadians had with the original Hinterland Who's Who series while connecting with young Canadians and attracting new fans of the series" says Colin Maxwell, the Canadian Wildlife Federation's Executive Vice President.  "Working with Environment Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint was a logical fit because they are as much a part of Canada as the animals that are featured on Hinterland Who's Who".

About Canadian Wildlife Federation:

CWF is dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending legislative changes, and cooperating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians may live in harmony with nature. Visit www.cwf-fcf.org for more information. 

About the Royal Canadian Mint: 

The Royal Canadian Mint, an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. In operation since 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the RCM, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. 

About Environment Canada: 

Environment Canada's mandate is to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment; conserve Canada's renewable resources; conserve and protect Canada's water resources; forecast weather and environmental change; enforce rules relating to boundary waters; and coordinate environmental policies and programs for the federal government. Visit www.ec.gc.ca for more information.

Contacts: 

Jennifer James
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Communications Officer
Phone: (613) 599-9594 ext.219

Sandy Baumgartner
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Executive Director, Programs and Communications
Phone: (613) 599-9594 ext 228

Alexandre Reeves
Royal Canadian Mint
Manager, Communications
Phone: (613) 949-5777