CWF Launches National Wildlife Week and new conservation partnerships in Whistler

Free Day of Admission to the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre Saturday, April 4

Where

Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre
4584 Blackcomb Way in Whistler’s Upper Village

When

Saturday, April 4
Free Day of Admission for the General Public from 9:30 am – 5pm
Self-guided tours, nature-inspired crafts, displays
Press Conference open to the Public at 1 pm

Press Conference Agenda 

Traditional Welcome at 1 pm, The Istken Hall:  Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre Singers and Drummers

Greetings from the Government of British Columbia: The Honourable Barry Penner, Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities

Greetings from the Resort Municipality of Whistler: His Worship Mayor Ken Melamed

Launch of National Wildlife Week: Wade Luzny, Executive Vice President, Canadian Wildlife Federation

• CWF urges Canadians to Conserve Habitat for species at risk through the 2009 National Wildlife Week campaign “Our Home and Native Plants”

Launch of a new Sea to Sky series of Wetlandkeeper workshops: Patti MacAhonic, Executive Director, BC Wildlife Federation and Mel Arnold, President, BC Wildlife Federation

• CWF and BCWF encourage public participation in new wetland reclamation projects from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler to protect species at risk such as the Western Toad and Red Legged Frog

Amphibian Update: Elke Wind, biologist specializing in amphibian ecology on Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia

Launch of new Hinterland Who’s Who Wetland Wonderland webisode and public service announcements:
Dr. Rick Mrazek, science and environmental educator

• Dr. Mrazek will also share the success of CWF’s Water Aware multimedia campaign and announce a new BC project

Launch of a new native plant education program for the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre: SLCC Ambassador

• CWF supports a new SLCC indigenous plant education program to be unveiled on site

Press Conference Closes: 1:45 pm, The Istken Hall:

• Squamish and Lil’Wat Singers and Drummers
• Complimentary Native Plant inspired Snacks and Refreshments

Possible Walking Tour to the Lost Lake Wetland: Leaving from the Istken Hall at 2 pm Weather Permitting

• Virtual tour of Sea to Sky Wetlandkeeper program in case of inclement weather

Contacts

Heather Robison, Media Relations Officer, Canadian Wildlife Federation, 306-550-4155 (c); heatherr@cwf-fcf.org

Carolyn Anne Budgell, Wetlands Program Coordinator, BC Wildlife Federation, 604-970-9707(c); wetlands@bcwf.ca

Gwen Baudisch, Event Co-ordinator, Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre, 604-964-0997; gwen.baudisch@slcc.ca

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending policy changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. 

About National Wildlife Week

National Wildlife Week is a program of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Sponsored in partnership with TD Friends of the Environment, provincial and territorial wildlife agencies, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens and Scouts Canada, NWW is an opportunity to celebrate our country’s natural heritage and play a supportive role in its conservation. For more information, visit nationalwildlifeweek.ca.