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The focus of the five and fifteen
year plans is to protect wetlands and waterfowl habitat through
stewardship agreements and to carry out enhancement activities where
applicable. The 1998 North American Waterfowl Management Plan Update
highlights the need for grassroots involvement in habitat conservation.
It states "Long term success of the Plan will depend on the
commitment of local communities to the concept of stewardship, which
includes planning, implementation, and caretaking."
Communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
are responsible for large areas of wetland. A Municipal Stewardship
Agreement signed with the province is a pledge by the municipality
to be a good steward of their natural resources. Through this partnership,
the resources of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture are made available
to develop a conservation plan for the wetlands, to assist in the
restoration of degraded wetlands, to provide for educational opportunities,
and to promote the participation of the local residents in the use
and protection of their resource.
Municipalities
that have signed a wetland stewardship agreement are invited to
join the Stewardship Association of Municipalities (SAM). This association
meets on a regular basis to reinforce the concept of stewardship,
to foster a sense of camaraderie between stewardship communities,
and to help promote a sense of pride in their achievements.
The
partnership with the Iron Ore Company of Canada engages industry
in enhancement and stewardship in western Labrador.
Providing
nesting cover for eiders increases their success rate and helps
to reinforce local stewardship of the resource.
The Municipal
Wetland Stewardship Program underwent an intensive evaluation during
2003 that culminated in a report
(full
report, pdf, 8.34MB - appendix,
pdf, 189KB). The authors concluded “the Municipal Wetlands
Stewardship Program is a powerful and effective strategy for conservation.
They recommend that all relevant partners give it their strong support.”
For more information on this project, please contact Gerry
Yetman, Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Program Manager, Newfoundland
and Labrador Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Inland Fish
and Wildlife Division, Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
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