"Migration...An Incredible Journey" is being celebrated in schools across the province this week in recognition of National Wildlife Week, April 9 to 15, 2000.
"Wildlife Week provides an opportunity for Islanders to consider the many ways to help in the preservation and recovery of wildlife habitat," said Minister Mitch Murphy, Technology and Environment. "I encourage all Islanders to get involved by organizing activities that create, conserve or restore habitat; plant a forest buffer for birds, build and post bat boxes, or clean up a nearby wetland area."
This year's theme addresses the habitat needs of travelling species and looks at migration as the lifeblood of planet Earth. For countless species of birds, fish, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians, migration means life. As the seasons change, these migrants must keep on the move to meet their survival needs. Migration is a journey filled with risks including habitat lost to development. With less green space and more asphalt, concrete and contaminants, the spaces that migratory species need to survive are vanishing.
The Department of Technology and Environment has once again provided Wildlife Week kits to hundreds of teachers of elementary grades and science classes at junior and senior high levels.
The Wildlife Week kit is designed to teach students about the value of ground and water habitats to migratory species, the risks they face and how to help give species safe passage. Also included in the kit is information on the Habitat 2000 Fund. This program provides financial assistance to classes, schools or groups who take the initiative to develop and plan wildlife habitat enhancement projects.
The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program will also provide direct financial assistance, as well as technical support, to organizations and community groups involved in wildlife habitat initiatives. This program is an initiative designed to support the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitats. The program has taken direction from, and builds upon, past conservation programs such as the Island Conservation Assistance Program and the Watershed Improvement Program. The program is supported by regional wildlife habitat coordinators and a wildlife biologist. Application deadlines for 2000 are May 1, 2000 and June 12, 2000. Full details and an application are available on-line at www.gov.pe.ca/te/env/whip.php3 or by contacting Bruce Smith at 368-6081.
For more information about National Wildlife Week, please contact the Fish and Wildlife Division at 368-4683 or visit the Canadian Wildlife Federation web site at www.cwf-fcf.org or www.wildeducation.org.