For Immediate Release

Ministry of Natural Resources

Ministère des Richesses naturelles

May 16, 2006

NEWS RELEASE

CAMPAIGN INVITES FAMILIES TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY WETLANDS

Ontario Partnership Promotes New Wetland Facilities For Family Fun

TORONTO — A new public relations campaign funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Conservation Ontario invites families to explore Ontario’s outstanding wetlands, many of which feature new boardwalks and interesting interpretive centres that make them easy and fun to visit.

The campaign was announced today by Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay, Ron Maher, Provincial Operations Manager of Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Don Pearson, General Manager of Conservation Ontario.

“Wetlands play a critical role in conserving Ontario’s rich natural heritage of plants, animals and ecosystems, and improving the quality of our water,” said Ramsay. “The ‘Down at the Pond’ campaign will increase public awareness of the province’s wetlands and promote them as great places to visit, with up-to-date facilities that offer fun for all ages.”

The campaign is one part of the three-year Healthy Wetlands … Healthy Communities partnership between the ministry and Ducks Unlimited Canada. The partnership also provided funding to enhance public wetland sites in southern Ontario. Conservation Ontario has joined the ministry and Ducks Unlimited Canada in supporting the campaign, which will publicize wetland interpretive areas and help foster greater appreciation for wetland habitat by encouraging people to get outdoors and experience wetlands firsthand.

“Seventy-five per cent of Ontario’s population lives in and around urban centres and we’re concerned that people are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature,” said Maher. “One of the most important ways we can help people to understand how important wetlands are, is to provide more opportunities for people to really experience wetland habitats.”

As part of the campaign, the partners have launched their website www.downatthepond.ca. It includes a map of southern Ontario that shows the location and contact information for 40 public wetland interpretive areas. Many of the wetlands boast boardwalks, viewing towers, trails and in some cases, visitor centres and educational programs – all designed to help visitors explore and enjoy nature. The campaign also includes billboards, public service announcements and brochures.

“Wetlands are important natural systems for many reasons,” said Don Pearson, General Manager of Conservation Ontario. “They prevent flooding, store excess water after rain or spring thaws which can slowly be released later during drier periods, and they provide plentiful habitats for a big variety of wildlife including fish and birds. We’re pleased to participate in this program which will provide an opportunity for people to visit wetlands on conservation authority properties.”

Many of Ontario’s public wetlands are owned and/or managed by a conservation authority. Under the umbrella of Conservation Ontario, conservation authorities work with many stakeholders to carry out natural resource programs that balance human, environmental and economic needs.

Ducks Unlimited Canada is a charitable organization that conserves and restores wetland habitat. To date, it has helped to conserve nearly one million acres of wetlands in Ontario.

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Contacts:

Media calls only:

Anne-Marie Flanagan

Minister’s Office

Ministry of Natural Resources

416-327-0654

Lynette Mader

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Ontario

705-721-4444, Ext. 235

Steve Payne

Communications Services Branch

Ministry of Natural Resources

413-314-2103

Jane Lewington

Conservation Ontario

905-895-0716, Ext. 222

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