Support for wildlife enhancement efforts in PEI was strengthened today as administration of the Wildlife Conservation Fund was transferred to a committee representing those who directly contribute to the fund.
Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem and committee chair Mike McKenna took part in the official transfer of the fund from the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry to the Wildlife Conservation Fund Committee.
Government established the Wildlife Conservation Fund in 1998 to assist community-led projects which support wildlife and wildlife habitat. Money for the fund comes from a contribution that is made once a year by each licensed angler, hunter and trapper. Since it was established, the fund has contributed close to $1 million to enhance wildlife resources in Prince Edward Island. Each year, a broad range of projects are funded from stream enhancement work, tree planting and erosion control, to support for youth fishing, watershed planning and wildlife research and monitoring.
“The Wildlife Conservation Fund has made a tremendous contribution to protecting and enhancing our natural environment in Prince Edward Island. However, we believe it can be even more effective,” said Minister Ballem. “By having representatives of those who contribute to the fund, manage it and set the priorities, the Wildlife Conservation Fund will be much more accountable to those who support it.”
“The Wildlife Conservation Fund Committee is excited to take on the responsibility of overseeing the fund,” added Mr. McKenna. “Monies from the Wildlife Conservation Fund have supported some excellent projects in the past seven years and we look forward to the challenge of guiding the fund into the future. We will do our best to ensure that the contributions of hunters, trappers and anglers are put to best use and provide long-term benefits to wildlife and the environment.”
In the past, the Wildlife Conservation Fund was administered by the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry and overseen by an advisory committee, with representation from eight wildlife and conservation groups, which reviewed applications and recommended funding for conservation projects.
With Friday’s announcement, full administration of the fund is transferred to a restructured Wildlife Conservation Fund Committee. The new committee will have 10 members:
• three each from the angling and hunting communities;
• one member representing each of the following: the trapping community, watershed groups and non-consumptive users such as birdwatchers and hikers;
• and a representative from the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry.
Members of the inaugural Wildlife Conservation Fund Committee were nominated by wildlife and conservation groups and appointed by Executive Council to serve for periods of one to three years. They are:
• representing the angling community, Dave Biggar of Portage, Chris Lantz of Charlottetown, and Wayne Gairns of North Wiltshire;
• representing the hunting community, Karl McCormack of York, Jeff Stewart of Charlottetown, and Mr. McKenna, also of Charlottetown;
• representing trappers, Dwayne MacIntyre of Cardigan;
• representing non-consumptive users, Jeremy Styles of Seaview;
• representing watershed groups, Fred Cheverie of Fortune; and
• Rosanne MacFarlane, who is the department representative.
The committee will oversee all aspects of the Wildlife Conservation Fund – from promotions to making funding decisions, and tracking revenues and expenditures. They will submit an annual report to the department and arrange annual third party audits to ensure transparency and accountability of the funding process. The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry will continue to collect the Wildlife Conservation Fund Licence fee so that it is convenient for people to purchase the licence at the same time they get their angling, hunting or trapping licence.
Mr. McKenna said the committee has developed a Terms of Reference and they expect to issue a call for funding applications early in the new year. The Island Nature Trust will serve as the day-to-day administrator of the Wildlife Conservation Fund, under the direction of the Wildlife Conservation Fund Committee, through a one-year, renewable contract.