CPAWS congratulates 2009 Boreal leadership award winners

Dehcho First Nations, Manitoba government and Dr. Fiona Schmeigelow honoured

The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) hosted its annual Boreal Awards last night at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa to honour individuals, organisations, government and innovative industries who have made outstanding contributions to protecting Canada’s Boreal forest.

CPAWS nominated the Dehcho First Nations and the community of Deline in the NWT for their leadership in Boreal conservation.  The Dehcho First Nations were honoured for their vision and determination to protect the South Nahanni watershed in an expanded Nahanni National Park Reserve.  The Community of Deline in the NWT was honoured for protecting Saoyú-?ehdacho as a national historic site on Great Bear Lake. CPAWS worked closely with the Dehcho and the Community of Deline on both of these northern conservation initiatives.

CPAWS also recognizes the tremendous value of the scientific research by Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow on Boreal conservation.  Most recently Dr. Schmiegelow chaired the research group  responsible for preparing the federal science report issued earlier this year, identifying critical habitat for the threatened Boreal woodland caribou.

The Manitoba government and former Premier Gary Doer were also honoured for their leadership announcing a $10M Trust Fund to support the proposed World Heritage Site along Lake Winnipeg’s East Side.

For more information about the Boreal Awards and the nominees, visit the Canadian Boreal Initiative site.