Cambridge Ont -- May 2, 2009 -- Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, and local MP and Minister of State (Science & Technology), the Honourable Gary Goodyear announced today support for ecological restoration work through rare Charitable Research Reserve's Land StewardsProject.

"Our government is proud to support community groups across the country, which are taking action through on-the-ground environmental projects that help to preserve and enhance the quality of Canada's natural heritage," said Minister Prentice.

The government is providing $40,000 for the work, through Environment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program. Under the Land Stewards Project, a total of 14.6 hectares of cropland in an ecologically sensitive area will be restored through the planting of native species, and measures will be taken to protect 4.2 km of shoreline on the Grand River. Also, 30 nesting structures will be installed to encourage the nesting of swallows and eastern bluebirds. Monitoring activities will also be completed to determine the most suitable restoration options.  These activities will help to educate stewards on how to sustain the project into the future.

"Waterloo Region has been one of the fastest growing urban areas in the country in recent years, which makes it all the more important that ecologically sensitive areas are identified and protected," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge.  "I am pleased that our community is undertaking important initiatives such as the Land Stewards Project and I am proud that our government is supporting community groups such as the rare Charitable Research Reserve."

"We are delighted to be able to show Minister Prentice what the support from the EcoAction Community Funding Program is allowing us to accomplish with the Land Stewards Project," said Keith Ainsworth, chair of rare Charitable Research Reserve'sboard of directors.  "From tree planting and wildlife habitat creation, ecological monitoring, and stewardship initiatives, to helping build the Reserve's profile within the community, it all helps in the conservation of this environmentally invaluable landscape."