Government of Canada Announces $5 Million for Weather Station and Conservation on Sable Island

WOLFVILLE, NOVA SCOTIA, Jun 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today announced $5 million in
new funding for five years for a weather station and conservation on
Sable Island, a unique and treasured ecosystem for Nova Scotians and
Canadians. The announcement is part of the Government of Canada's Action
Plan for Clean Water and its investment of $61.5 million over 5 years to
improve the health of our oceans.

"We believe that it is in the best interest of Canadians to ensure that
Sable Island is preserved for generations to come and we are providing
important funding for its long-term conservation," said Minister Baird.
"Today's announcement is further proof of our Government's commitment to
protecting and preserving our environment in Atlantic Canada."

This initiative includes a five-year commitment to maintaining four
employees on Sable Island. The funding will be used to support weather
monitoring operations, including collecting meteorological data to be
used for producing marine and coastal weather warnings, and providing
support to climate change monitoring research.

The initiative will also take action to protect the island's fragile
ecosystem, including maintaining habitat, managing the responsible use of
the island by visitors, and providing a safe refuge for people during
offshore and other emergency situations. This work will contribute to
the eventual designation of Sable Island as a National Wildlife Area.

Sable Island is a unique and fragile ecosystem of sand dunes, grassy
fields, heath and freshwater ponds. The island has diverse flora and
fauna. It is the only breeding ground of the rare Ipswich Sparrow, and
is also home to small breeding numbers of the threatened species, the
Roseate Tern.

Egalement offert en francais

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Eric Richler
Press Secretary
819-997-1441

Environment Canada Media Relations
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008

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