Change Your World for Wildlife

Nova Scotians are encouraged to learn more about how forests are managed, harvested and conserved during National Wildlife Week from Sunday, April 10 to 16.

"Nova Scotia's forests provide direct and indirect economic, social and environmental benefits," said Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker. "We must protect this valuable resource for future generations and recognize that our forests provide a home to two-thirds of the province's wildlife species."

With 2011 declared International Year of Forests by the United Nations, National Wildlife Week will provide an opportunity to raise awareness and reflect on the need to be involved in the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and habitat resources.

"The province is committed to a new approach to natural resource management," said Mr. Parker. "I will soon release a natural resources strategy, based on input from across the province, that deals with best practices for our forests, biodiversity, provincial parks and geological resources."

To celebrate National Wildlife Week, the Department of Natural Resources has developed a web page that features resources and programs for students, teachers and the public based on the International Year of Forests theme -- Change Your World for Wildlife.

A video about forests, Ask Me if I'm a Tree, is available to grades Primary to six students while Project Wild Workshops are offered to teachers and other educators across the province. Provincial Parks will also host events throughout the year.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation will also present the Robert Bateman Get to Know contest where youth submit photos, art, writing or videos about wild neighbours of the forest to win prizes. The annual Walk for Wildlife, between April 10 and May 22, is a perfect opportunity to let the natural world inspire participants to create an entry and add their kilometres to a national tally at www.nationalwildlifeweek.com .

For more than 45 years, the Canadian Wildlife Federation has partnered with federal, provincial and territorial wildlife and related agencies, to develop and implement the National Wildlife Week program in Canada.

For more information on National Wildlife Week events in Nova Scotia, visit www.gov.ns.ca/natr .