April 7, 2014
Media are invited to cover this rain or shine environmental event, offering photo and interview opportunities and a pizza lunch
Students, Conservation Groups Celebrate Earth Month
Salmon restoration and community stream clean up set for Cobourg Brook
Students and conservationists will once again pull on the rubber boots this week during the eighth annual Earth Month stream cleanup and Atlantic Salmon stocking event.
Organized by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and Ganaraska Conservation, partners in the Bring Back the Salmon Program, this year’s event is set for Thursday, April 10, 2014 beginning at 9 a.m. rain or shine.
The event will welcome back students from Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East, Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West and Fleming College with support from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority and the Town of Cobourg.
The focus of the day is improving the stream environment along the Cobourg Brook, but the highlight is always the stocking of yearling Atlantic Salmon into the waters.
About 60 local high school students will get the chance to participate in the release of 1,000 Atlantic Salmon yearlings after spending the early part of the day collecting litter along the stream bank and engaging in hands-on conservation activities.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, April 10
Times: 9 a.m. Litter collection in Cobourg Conservation Area (Note: group will gather outside the Superior Court of Justice at the south end of the parking lot located at 860 William St.)
11 a.m. Pizza lunch onsite
12 p.m. Students ride buses to stocking site
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Salmon release (to take place on Danforth Rd., west of County Road 45/Baltimore Road)
Background: BBTS involves more than 40 partners working to restore the once thriving Atlantic Salmon to Lake Ontario and its tributaries. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (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 is raising production salmon in two facilities. Fleming College is raising Atlantic Salmon in its teaching hatchery, and OPG’s Pickering Nuclear Station is also playing host to a small Atlantic Salmon classroom hatchery. Bring Back The Salmon includes fish stocking, habitat rehabilitation, research and education, and there are promising signs that this long-term restoration effort is working.
With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 720 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 (ontariosalmon) and Twitter (@ontariosalmon).
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Media Contacts:
Galen Eagle
OFAH Manager of Communications
W: 705-748-6324 ext. 270
C: 705-760-5537
galen_eagle@ofah.org
Twitter: @ofah
Note: Galen Eagle will be at the Earth Month event all day Thursday and will be reachable by cell phone at 705-760-5537 to arrange photos and media interviews.