OTTAWA, Ont. -- May
8, 2010 -- Canada's Environment Minister,
the Honourable Jim Prentice, today marked
the 2010 International Day for Migratory
Birds with the official launch of Dendroica,
a new web-based tool, developed to help
volunteers and members of
the general public to learn to identify
birds by song or by sight. This website
was developed with support from partners
in the United States and Mexico.
"We are proud to
support the official launch of this new
web-based tool as part of our commitment
to the conservation of Migratory Birds,"
said Minister Prentice. "The Government
of Canada is a leader in Canadian bird conservation
efforts and is committed to the long-term
conservation of biological biodiversity
and to working with international partners
in the United States and Mexico to protect
our natural heritage."
Dendroica is an interactive
website developed to help students, volunteers
and professionals improve their skills at
identifying birds by sight or by sound,
particularly so that they can participate
in nature survey and monitoring programs.
The site includes birds from throughout
USA, Canada and Mexico, and allows participants
to contribute new photographs and sound
recordings, so it will continue to improve
over time. Environment Canada and its partners
support a large variety of bird monitoring
programs, many of which rely on skilled
volunteer participants to collect data.
The Government of Canada
is responsible under the Migratory Birds
Convention Act, 1994, for ensuring that
populations of migratory birds are maintained,
protected and conserved. As Canada, the
United States and Mexico share a great diversity
and a great abundance of birds, the three
countries are committed to unifying our
efforts for landbird conservation by working
together on collaborative actions and integrated
programs.
More information about
the NatureInstruct - Dendroica web-based
tool is available at the following address
http://www.natureinstruct.org/dendroica.
For further information, please contact:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Canadian Appointed as
New Executive Director For Canada-Us-Mexico
Commission For Environmental Cooperation
Secretariat
OTTAWA, Ont. -- May
7, 2010 -- The Honourable Jim Prentice,
Minister of the Environment, today announced
the appointment of Mr. Evan Lloyd as the
fifth executive director of the Commission
for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Secretariat.
"I am pleased to
welcome Evan Lloyd to the role of CEC Secretariat
executive director," said Minister
Prentice. "Mr. Lloyd brings with him
a wealth of knowledge and experience that
will be important to carrying out the CEC's
vision to renew, revitalize and refocus
the organization. This includes bringing
greater rigour, transparency and accountability
to the Secretariat. I look forward to Mr.
Lloyd's contribution to advancing North
American cooperation on environmental issues."
The position of executive
director is a three-year term position that
rotates consecutively between nationals
of each CEC member country. Canada, Mexico
and the United States were actively engaged
in the selection process and jointly chose
Mr. Lloyd for the position.
"I would also like
to acknowledge Mr. Adrián Vázquez,
the CEC Secretariat's previous executive
director, and thank him for his service
and leadership over the last three years,"
said Minister Prentice.
The CEC is an international
organization created by Canada, Mexico and
the United States under the North American
Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC).
It was established to address regional environmental
concerns, help prevent potential trade and
environmental conflicts, and promote the
effective enforcement of environmental law.
The Agreement complements the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The CEC's
secretariat, located in Montreal, Quebec,
provides technical, operational and administrative
support to the Council of federal environment
ministers, as well as to the committees
and groups established by the Council.
For more information about the CEC, visit
www.cec.org
Canadian Appointed as Executive Director
of Canada-US-Mexico Commission for Environmental
Cooperation Secretariat
[Backgrounder - 2010-05-06]
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
