CHAPLIN/OLD WIVES/REED LAKES NAMED WESTERN CANADA'S FIRST HEMISPHERIC

Released on May 29, 1997

Western Canada's first hemispheric shorebird reserve has been created

at Chaplin, Saskatchewan. The announcement of the new reserve was

made today by Sergio Marchi, Federal Minister of the Environment,

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) Minister and

Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation

Corporation (SWCC) Lorne Scott and Dr. George Finney, chair of

Wetlands International - the Americas.



With this designation, the Chaplin/Old Wives/Reed Lakes site joins the

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) which comprises

35 sites in seven countries, including the United States, Mexico,

Brazil, Surinam, Argentina, Peru and Canada.



Four other Canadian shorebird reserves include one other hemispheric

site at the Bay of Fundy in Atlantic Canada, an international site at

Quill Lakes, Saskatchewan and two regional sites at Last Mountain

Lake, Saskatchewan and Beaverhill Lake, Alberta.



Designation is based on biological criteria including species and

number of shorebirds using the site. Surveys conducted by SWCC and

Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service indicate a minimum of

55,253 sanderlings or 45 per cent of the flyway population use the

site.



"Creation of this reserve is concrete action toward protecting

valuable habitat for wildlife and meeting the objectives of Wetlands

International - the Americas and the North American Waterfowl

Management Plan," Minister Marchi said. "It is also a prime example

of co-operation and joint action among various levels of government

and wildlife agencies to benefit wildlife."



"This project is an excellent example of co-operation among wildlife

interests, agriculture and industry to protect the environment and

enhance tourism," Minister Scott said. "This is one more example of

the province's commitment to protecting our unique and critical

natural areas."



The area encompasses nearly 43,253 hectares and includes a

Saskatchewan heritage marsh at the south end of Chaplin Lake and a

migratory bird sanctuary at Old Wives Lake. Greatest use of the site

occurs during spring migration in May and June. A key feature is the

spring staging of sanderlings at Old Wives and Chaplin Lakes.



"Chaplin Lakes is an absolutely critical prairie wetland for hundreds

of thousands of migrating shorebirds," Dr. Finney said. "Wetland

International congratulates the tireless efforts of the many partners

and the community of Chaplin for recognizing the international

importance of this wetland and designating it a WHSRN site of

hemispheric importance."



As well as an important shorebird viewing site, Chaplin is also

becoming an important ecotourism centre particularly for travellers on

the Trans-Canada Highway. The Chaplin Nature Centre, developed by

SWCC and the community of Chaplin, was officially opened today.



Located about 140 kms west of Regina, the Chaplin/Old Wives/Reed Lakes

site was nominated as a WHSRN Hemispheric Reserve through a joint

effort of Environment Canada, SWCC and SERM. The nominating agencies,

a representative of Wetlands International - the Americas and Ducks

Unlimited Canada signed an agreement at the dedication to maintain and

enhance this area for shorebirds and wildlife.



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For more information, contact:



Ian Davidson

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

Phone: (613) 722-2090



Bob Carles

Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-0779



Gerard Beyersbergen

Canadian Wildlife Service

Environment Canada

Phone: (403) 951-8670



Dr. George Finney

Wetlands International - The Americas

Phone: (506) 364-5011