RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 11, 2010) - John Cummins, Member of Parliament for Richmond—Delta East, on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. In total, $54,300 in federal funding will support environmental action focusing on conservation and protection of species at risk and their habitats, helping to preserve Canada's biodiversity.

"As part of the International Year of Biodiversity, today's investments will solidify existing habitats for several local species at risk while creating new habitats in which they can flourish," said MP John Cummins.

"These projects will help to protect Canada's rich biodiversity for generations to come, said Minister Prentice. "The Government of Canada is proud to support numerous community-based projects throughout British Columbia through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that is part of our natural heritage."

Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust will receive $33,000 to create farm fields as winter and potential breeding habitats for Barn Owls and Short-eared Owls, and winter foraging grounds for Great Blue Heron.

Larkspur Consulting will receive $21,300 to monitor streambank lupine populations, remove debris and invasive plants, develop educational material and create site management plans that address potential impacts on the species.

"Tall grass habitats are some of the most endangered habitats in the world, and creating these spaces will have a positive impact on the Barn Owls and Short-eared Owls who winter in our region," said David Bradbeer, Stewardship Program Coordinator with the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust.

The goal of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is to contribute to the recovery and protection of species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern under the Species at Risk Act. 

Projects that will receive funding this year include stewardship actions to conserve habitat for plant species at risk, negotiations with landowners to develop voluntary Land Care Agreements, targeted educational outreach to reduce the entanglement of species at risk in fishing gear, and enhancement of water quality and aquatic habitat on private lands to benefit aquatic species at risk. They will be undertaken with many partners such as agricultural producers, private landowners, and commercial fishers. These projects will benefit many species at risk, including the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Steller Sea Lion, the Swift Fox, and the Small White Leek.

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is administered by Environment Canada and managed cooperatively with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency. More information on the Species at Risk Act and the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk can be found on the Internet at: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/ or http://www.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih/default.asp?lang=En&n=59BF488F-1

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada, at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

(Également offert en français)