Fredericton -- One year after the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) called on the federal government to create 12 new marine protected areas by December 2012, the good news is that it is making progress in designating many of them as legal entities. However, CPAWS is concerned that the conservation measures the government is proposing once these areas are designated for protection may be too weak to be effective.

Today, CPAWS is releasing a 20-page report, “Is Canada on track to create 12 new marine protected areas by December 2012?” assessing progress over the past 12 months and noting areas of concern.

“We’re giving the federal government low marks on its progress in negotiations with other levels of government, industry and local communities to designate sites in the Bay of Fundy that we’ve highlighted as potential new marine protected areas, “ says  Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS New Brunswick Chapter.

Progress on 9 of 12 sites in past year

Out of the 12 marine areas CPAWS has highlighted for action by December 2012, CPAWS has observed significant movement by the federal and other levels of government towards designating three as protected areas, some progress in creating another six, and limited or no progress on the remaining three.

Progress towards designating marine protected areas has been most significant for three sites off the coast of British Columbia – in the Southern Strait of Georgia, in Hecate Strait and surrounding the Scott Islands.  In each of these locations, the federal government has made significant advances in consultations and negotiations to establish formal marine protected areas within the past year, and is moving on to the next stages required to finalize them.

In six more locations, off Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Nunavut and Quebec, some progress towards designating new marine protected areas has been made, although more significant steps are required to move them towards completion rapidly.

No progress on protecting 3 important marine ecosystems, including Bay of Fundy

The areas where no notable progress at all has been made towards protection are in the Bay of Fundy, the South Coast Fjords off Newfoundland, and the “Big Eddy” off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

 “We are very concerned with the lack of protection in the Bay of Fundy, which stands in stark contrast to the incredible ecological richness of the Bay, and its international importance for humpback, fin and endangered North Atlantic right whales, migratory shorebirds and seabirds.  We would like to see Parks Canada come forward with a proposed National Marine Conservation Area that includes strong conservation measures to conserve these values into the future,” says Ms. Clowater.

 CPAWS has assessed progress towards protecting these sites on two sets of criteria: one for steps taken in the process to formally establish them as protected areas, the other for creating meaningful conservation measures to protect the long-term health of these marine ecosystems. The latter measures, based on leading science, include establishment of “no take zones” for fishing and rules against other forms of industrial development such as oil and gas drilling.

In all of the 12 areas CPAWS has identified, rare and important forms of sea life deserve protection, ranging from leatherback turtles, to dolphins, right whales and other types of whales, birds including puffins and Cassins auklets, and fish including cod and Atlantic wolffish.

Canada still has huge catch-up job

“We will be watching progress carefully over the next six months to see how much closer Canada gets to meaningful protection for these 12 marine areas by the end of 2012,” says Sabine Jessen, CPAWS national oceans program manager.

“This will be an important sign of how well we’ve laid the groundwork for more marine conservation in the years ahead. Canada still has a huge catch-up job to reach our international commitment of establishing networks of marine protected areas in all of our oceans,” adds Jessen.

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For media interviews, contact:

Roberta Clowater, 506-452-9902; rclowater@cpaws.org

To view CPAWS’ full progress report, executive summary and more about each of the 12 marine areas, visit www.cpaws.org/daretobedeep

CPAWS is Canada’s voice for wilderness. Since 1963, we’ve played a lead role in protecting over 500,000 km² of public land and water. With 13 chapters across Canada, over 50 staff and 50,000 supporters, we work with governments, industry, Indigenous people and local communities to conserve our country’s irreplaceable nature. Our vision is that Canada will protect at least half of our public land and water. 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, New Brunswick Chapter is looking for a Conservation Communications Assistant to help organize and promote conservation projects between April and September, 2012.  This is a one-third time position to start.  There may be potential to expand the position, depending on funding and compatibility of the applicant with other projects in 2012.  This can either be a temporary staff position, or a contract.  Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.  It is preferred that the person be located in Fredericton.  Location in another part of New Brunswick may be considered, depending on the experience and capability of the applicant.

Contract Responsibilities include:

• Helping CPAWS NB organize two canoe tours on the Restigouche River for community leaders, politicians, decision-makers and media representatives. The tours will happen between the spring and fall of 2012;

• Working on logistics of the tours, such as developing invitation lists, sending invitations, follow up with participants, working with the tour operator on details;

• Developing draft communications materials to use before and after the tours, including briefing notes, Q&A notes, and media backgrounders;

• Assisting with the writing and production of social media communications – videos, photos and stories for online;

• Undertaking French communications with participants or media, as needed;

• Assisting with other Restigouche project communications, online, newsletters and media.

Required qualifications:

• A combination of education and experience in any of the following fields: conservation or outdoor education, communications, nature-based tourism, journalism;
• Exceptional communication and writing skills;
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to track and report on the details of various aspects of the project;
• Proven leadership abilities and ability to take initiative; proven ability to work independently with limited supervision and to develop own work plan to achieve assigned project deliverables;
• Access to own computer; a valid New Brunswick driver’s license, own transportation (travel expenses will be covered), and the ability to travel in northern New Brunswick;
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Publisher, or other similar software;
• The ability to speak fluently in English and French;
• Knowledge of nature conservation issues in New Brunswick.

Assets include:

• Ability to read and write fluently in French
• Skills in videography, photography

Deadline for application is April 23, 2012.  Please apply by sending a cover letter explaining how you fit with this position, a resume and the names and contact information of 3 professional references, by email only, to rclowater@cpaws.org">rclowater@cpaws.org.

No phone calls or drop-ins, please.  Only those who are chosen for interviews will be contacted.

www.cpawsnb.org

(Fredericton) – Le Nouveau Brunswick est toujours traînard en matière de conservation - Le plan d'aménagement forestier des terres de la Couronne nuit encore.

La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada, section Nouveau-Brunswick (SNAP NB), dit que le nouveau  plan d'aménagement forestier des terres de la Couronne, annoncé aujourd'hui par le ministre des ressources naturelles, est un pas en arrière pour la conservation.

Roberta Clowater, directrice exécutive de la SNAP NB dit, « Le nouveau plan d'aménagement forestier des terres de la Couronne réduit la conservation globale des habitats fauniques et zones tampons riveraines. C'est troublant parce que nous savons que les scientifiques qui spécialisent dans la recherche des animaux sauvages pensent que les niveaux actuels de conservation risquent de ne pas pouvoir maintenir tous les types d'animaux sauvages indigènes dans la province. Aujourd’hui le gouvernement a approuvé  un plan pour aller encore plus loin de ce qui est nécessaire. C'est la mauvaise direction pour la conservation. »

Clowater a dit, « Alors que le plan approuve une augmentation dans les aires protégées de 4 % des forêts de la Couronne à 8 % des forêts de la Couronne, ceci assurera la protection de seulement 4,5 % de la province. Ceci n’approche pas ce qui est nécessaire pour assurer la conservation de nos rivières, nos aires de nature sauvages et notre faune sensible. Le Nouveau-Brunswick possèdera toujours la plus petite proportion d’aires protégées au Canada, seulement au-dessus de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. De plus, les nouvelles aires protégées viendront de la vieille forêt actuellement conservée donc il y a effectivement une perte nette de conservation. »

« Étant donné les préoccupations concernant le changement climatique et l'incertitude sur comment bien nous protégeons nos milieux sauvages et nos eaux, nous sommes très préoccupés par la décision de passer d'un plan de 5 ans à un plan de 10 ans. Nous croyons que c'est un geste risqué, qui nous offre des objectifs de conservation très limitées et ne fournit pas la flexibilité nécessaire pour améliorer la conservation pour une autre décennie. »

« La SNAP NB apprécie que le ministre a pris le temps d'examiner le plan d’aménagement approuvé par le gouvernement précédent qui aurait sévèrement nuit à la conservation des terres publiques. Nous sommes heureux que le ministre a consulté avec la communauté environnementale et reconnu la valeur de la conservation de l'habitat dans ses décisions,» a souligné Clowater.

La SNAP a recommandé qu'au moins 17 %  des terres de la Couronne (8,5 % de la province), y compris les plus importantes sections de forêt ancienne, soient désignées d'ici 2015 comme zones protégées permanentes sans exploitation forestière ou minière. Ceci nous rapprocherait au niveau des autres provinces, où le montant moyen des terres protégées est près de 9 %.

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Contactez: Roberta Clowater – 506-452-9902; cpawsnb@nb.sympatico.ca

Pour plus d’information sur la SNAP NB, SVP visitez le www.cpawsnb.org

(Fredericton)  The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB)  says the new Crown forest management plan announced today by the Minister of Natural Resources is a step backwards for conservation.

Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS NB, said, “The new Crown forest plan reduces the overall conservation of wildlife habitats and riverbank buffers.  This is disturbing because we know that wildlife researchers believe that current conservation levels may not be enough to maintain all the kinds of native wildlife throughout the province.  The government has now approved a plan to go even further below what is needed.  This is the wrong direction for conservation.”

Clowater said, “While the plan approves an increase in protected areas from 4% of Crown forest to 8% of Crown forest, this will result in only 4.5% of the province being protected.  This is not even in the ballpark of what is needed to ensure conservation of our rivers, wilderness areas and sensitive wildlife.  New Brunswick will still have the lowest protected areas proportion in Canada, only above PEI.  As well, the new protected areas will come from the currently conserved old forest, so there is actually a net loss in area to conservation.”

“Given concerns about climate changes and uncertainty about how well we are currently conserving habitats and water, we are very concerned about the decision to go from a 5 year plan to a 10 year plan.  We believe this is a risky move, one that locks us into very limited conservation objectives, and doesn’t provide the flexibility to improve conservation for another decade.”

“CPAWS NB appreciates that the Minister took the time to review the forest plan approved by the previous government, which would have severely rolled back conservation on public land.  We’re pleased that the Minister consulted widely with the conservation community, and recognized the value of habitat conservation as in important factor in his considerations,” noted Clowater.

CPAWS had recommended that at least 17% of Crown land (8.5% of the province), including the largest patches of old forest, be designated by 2015 in permanent protected areas, where no logging or mining would take place.  This amount would move us closer to the level in other provinces, where the average amount of land protected is nearly 9%.

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Contact:

Roberta Clowater, 506-452-9902; cpawsnb{at}nb.sympatico.ca

CPAWS is New Brunswick’s voice for wilderness.  For more information on CPAWS NB and our conservation work, please visit www.cpawsnb.org

New Brunswick’s rich Acadian Forest, from the old growth coastal Bay of Fundy rainforests to the misty mountaintop Restigouche wildwoods, is at risk.  These forests are home to a many elusive wildlife, including flying squirrels, lynx and barred owls.  If we don’t act now, much of New Brunswick’s remaining old forest habitat will be on the chopping block.  The provincial government is deciding now whether they will open up old forests and other specially managed habitats to clearcutting.  You can help protect this precious wilderness.  Please send a letter to the Minister of Natural Resources before February 29.

CPAWS is recommending that at least 17% of Crown land, including the largest patches of old forest, be designated as permanently protected areas, where no logging or mining can happen, by 2015.  CPAWS is also recommending the province  immediately take action to keep all of the Crown land they are already conserving as old forests, wildlife habitat and riverbank buffers. The currently conserved area is below the bare minimum required to conserve all the wildlife that need old forests, so any reduction in conservation is unacceptable.

You can find more here about New Brunswick's old growth forests and how you can help. http://cpawsnb.org/campaigns/public_forest

And you can take action now by clicking here.

(Fredericton) – Le 16 février, Roberta Clowater, Directrice générale de la section néo-brunswickoise de la SNAP, présenté une liste de noms au Premier ministre Alward, à l’Edifice du Centenaire ; une liste des noms de plus de 10 000 Canadiens et Canadiennes qui lui demandent de protéger au moins 10 % du dernier plus grand bassin versant sauvage de la province.

La présentation de ce message de la SNAP aura lieu juste avant, et pour coïncider avec, l’aboutissement d’un nouveau plan pour les terres publiques (de la Couronne) par le Ministère des Ressources Naturelles du Nouveau-Brunswick.

« Ce fut une inspiration pour nous de voir tant de personnes – surtout des Néo-Brunswickois et des Québécois – qui ont à coeur la protection de cette aire sauvage extraordinaire dans la Restigouche, et qui veulent s’assurer que ces valeurs soient protégées, » déclarait Clowater.

La SNAP a fait valoir à la population que c’était l’occasion de protéger la Restigouche – fameuse pour ses rivières de saumon sauvage, ses montagnes de forêts brumeuses et sa faune sauvage – par l’entremise des médias sociaux, tel que Facebook, et en partenariat avec Mountain Equipment Co-op.

« Le nombre de personnes qui ont répondu à l’appel renforce réellement notre message au Premier ministre Alward que la province doit passer à l’action dès maintenant pour protéger plus de nos zones sauvages, surtout celle de la Restigouche. Nous avons tâté le pouls de l’inquiétude du public vis à vis l’avenir des merveilleuses aires sauvages de notre province – et maintenant nous demandons au gouvernement de passer à l’action, » expliquait Clowater.

« Il est inadmissible que le Nouveau-Brunswick se classe avant-dernier au Canada dans le pourcentage d’aires protégées, comparé aux autres provinces et territoires. On ne fait pas notre part égale pour protéger les zones sauvages et la vie sauvage, ainsi que les emplois importants en loisirs et en tourisme qu’elles soutiennent au Nouveau-Brunswick, » ajoutait Clowater.

« Afin que le Nouveau-Brunswick s’approche de la moyenne canadienne, le gouvernement doit s’engager à protéger tout au moins 17 % des terres publiques (de la Couronne) de la province d’ici 2015, ce qui représenterait 8,5 % de la province. Ceci ferait en sorte que les sections les plus sauvages de la Restigouche et de la province soient protégées de manière permanente contre le développement et l’activité industrielle. »

Présentement, seulement 3 % du Nouveau-Brunswick est protégé d’une manière permanente, comparé à presque 9 % des terres dans les autres provinces. La Nouvelle-Écosse s’est fixée une cible de 12 % de l’ensemble de la province d’ici 2015 et elle est bien en avant du Nouveau-Brunswick dans l’atteinte de son objectif.

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Contactez: Roberta Clowater – 506-452-9902; cpawsnb@nb.sympatico.ca

Pour plus d’information sur la SNAP ou sur la campagne pour la protection de la Restigouche, visitez le http://restigouchesauvage.ca ou www. cpawsnb.org

(Fredericton) – On February 16, CPAWS New Brunswick Chapter Executive Director, Roberta Clowater,