Waterfowl Expert to Speak on Windpower
OFAH | Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre Speaker Series
Windpower development continues to be a hot topic in Ontario, with existing and proposed projects in play across the province, including the Cavan Monaghan area. On Thursday, July 21 at 7PM, the OFAH welcomes Dr. Scott Petrie, a leading waterfowl expert, to discuss his concerns and recent research on the Potential Impacts of Wind Turbines on Waterfowl.
Dr. Petrie, Executive Director of Long Point Waterfowl and Adjunct Professor at University of Western Ontario, is one in a series of speakers featured this summer at the OFAH | Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre. His research, and that of his students, is focused on the implications of Industrial Wind Turbine (IWT) development to wetland habitat and waterfowl located in the lower Great Lakes area. Petrie will also discuss numerous other human and wildlife related concerns associated with improperly placed industrial wind turbines.
Ecological considerations often take a backseat to the socioeconomic and political aspects of windpower development. On behalf of its members, the OFAH has responded to four windpower-related postings on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry within the past year. Dr. Petrie’s presentation will provide attendees with information that will assist them in determining their role in the ongoing windpower debate.
Petrie is concerned that inadequate placement regulations are resulting in industrial wind turbines being located in ecologically sensitive areas. This can be particularly problematic when turbines are constructed in close association with large coastal wetlands.
“As over 80% of our Great Lakes coastal wetlands have been drained or developed, it is of paramount importance that we conserve and protect remaining wetlands.” Petrie also stresses that, “No country has yet been able to demonstrate that industrial wind turbines can replace fossil fuel energy, or even that it is cost effective.”
The speaker series is being delivered in the air-conditioned 75-seat Toronto Sportsmen’s Show Amphitheatre. Admission with popcorn is only $2.00 and is first come, first served. Representing over 100,000 individual members and 670 outdoor clubs, the OFAH is the province’s largest nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, and the VOICE of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.
-30-
Contacts:
Dr. Scott Petrie
Long Point Waterfowl
Executive Director
519-718-1371 (cell) |
Matt DeMille
OFAH Land Use Specialist
705-748-6324 ext 249 |
 Click here to download the PDF version of this release
|
