Canada opens new shorebird discovery centre in Shepody National Wildlife Area in New Brunswick

SHEPODY, NB, July 16, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadians love to connect with and enjoy nature. The Shepody National Wildlife Area in New Brunswick plays an important role in protecting critical wildlife and inspiring Canadians to get outdoors and experience nature. Together with Canadians, we are doubling the amount of nature protected in Canada's lands and oceans.

Today, the Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, Alaina Lockhart, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced the opening of a new shorebird discovery centre in the Shepody National Wildlife Area, located between the Bay of Fundy and Hopewell Rocks.

The new centre offers interpretation programming in the summer months for visitors to learn about the migration of shorebirds and the important role the Shepody National Wildlife Area plays in their survival. Each summer, thousands of birds come to Shepody to rest from their direct flight from the Arctic and refuel before their non-stop transoceanic flight to South America. A new video highlighting the history and ecological importance of the Shepody wetlands was premiered at the opening event, and it will be shown at the centre throughout the summer.

Quotes

"This is another beautiful addition for Fundy Royal. This new shorebird discovery centre will welcome, educate, and inspire locals and visitors to learn about our unique ecosystem along the coastline. The centre builds on our government's commitment to protecting our local environments while growing our rural economy. We really have something to be proud of here in Albert County. Investment by investment, we are getting ready to share it with the world."
? Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

Quick facts

• The Shepody National Wildlife Area is part of the Connecting Canadians with Nature initiative, which helps Canadians connect with nature and national wildlife areas improve visitor services and programming, such as the new Shepody Shorebird Discovery Centre.
• Shepody was one of ten national wildlife areas across Canada that were identified as being suitable for increased opportunities for nature interpretation activities.
• Additional funding was announced for the Connecting Canadians with Nature initiative through Budget 2018, under the historic Nature Legacy investment of $1.3 billion, to support expansion of national wildlife areas and other protected areas.
• The Shepody National Wildlife Area is made up of the Germantown Marsh, Mary's Point, and New Horton sections that are situated on and adjacent to Chignecto and Shepody bays.
• Located approximately 60 km from Moncton, the Shepody National Wildlife Area is part of Environment and Climate Change Canada's network of protected areas, which includes 55 national wildlife areas and 92 migratory bird sanctuaries.
• The National Wildlife Area is a wonderful place for hiking, geocaching, and wildlife observation, especially during the spring and fall when millions of shorebirds pass through the area.
• The National Wildlife Area is open daily from now until the fall.

Associated links

• Video
• Shepody National Wildlife Area

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada