OFAH FILE: 842
October 16, 2013
Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program Celebrates Partnerships
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), with our Bring Back The Salmon (BBTS) partners, will celebrate the many accomplishments of the program on Friday, October 18.
Attendees, including partners from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Ajax Mayor Steve Parish and students from Dunbarton High School, will spend the morning on Duffins Creek, releasing fall fingerling Atlantic Salmon, planting trees, and hearing from program partners about our achievements. Scott Fortnum, Executive Director of The Living City Foundation will be the event’s emcee.
| Location: | Greenwood Conservation Lands, “Rodar Property” entrance off 5th Concession, west of Westney Road, Pickering |
| Time: | 10:00am: Guests Arrive, Greetings & Speeches 10:30am: Tree planting 11:00am: Fish stocking 12:00pm: Wrap up |
| Dress: | This is a rain or shine event. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors, including footwear for tree planting. Waders will be provided for the stocking. |
| Note: | In the event of severe inclement weather, the location will be moved to the Claremont Field Centre, 4290 Westney Road north of Concession 7, Pickering |
Background: BBTS involves more than 50 partners working to restore the once thriving Atlantic Salmon to Lake Ontario and its tributaries. BBTS includes fish stocking, habitat rehabilitation, research and education, and there are promising signs that this long-term restoration effort is working. The OFAH and MNR head the initiative, with support from lead sponsor Ontario Power Generation. The LCBO and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation are also major contributors. The MNR hosts Atlantic Salmon in two facilities and Fleming College is raising Atlantic Salmon in its teaching hatchery at the Frost Campus in Lindsay. MNR is also partnering with conservation authorities and university researchers to monitor and study Atlantic Salmon and feed the lessons learned back into the program. All three levels of government and non-governmental organizations are working together to improve and protect the coldwater stream habitat needed to restore this sensitive species.
With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 710 member 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.bringbackthesalmon.ca or follow Bring Back The Salmon on Facebook and Twitter (@ontariosalmon).
-30-
Contacts:
| Chris Robinson Atlantic Salmon RestorationProgram Coordinator 705-748-6324 ext 237 705-761-1276 (cell) |
Shannon Gutoskie OFAH Manager of Communications 705-748-6324 ext 270 |