FREDERICTON — A ground-breaking partnership between government agencies, recreational groups and environmental NGOs in New Brunswick has received a national award for helping people connect with nature and the outdoors.
The groups responsible for ExploreEcoNB, an innovative mobile-mapping application, were presented with the Connected to the Community Award from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CTWA) during a ceremony in Fredericton on Thursday, Feb. 12. The award pays tribute to outstanding organizations who have partnered together to improve the lives of Canadians. It was presented by CWTA President and CEO Bernard Lord, former premier of New Brunswick.
ExploreEcoNB is a free mobile application that brings many of the exciting natural attractions waiting to be discovered in New Brunswick right to your fingertips. Available on Android, iOS and Windows platforms, the app connects people with more than 300 opportunities for adventure in the outdoors, highlighting nature preserves/reserves, national and provincial parks, province-wide trail networks, Protected Natural Areas, Important Bird Areas, entry points along the St. John River and more.
App users can explore these natural areas by using the app’s mapping feature, which also offers the ability to choose a destination of choice based on type of activity, proximity, or one of the province’s tourism regions.
The app was created through a unique partnership between the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB), Department of Natural Resources, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), Nature NB, New Brunswick Provincial Parks, Parks Canada, Sentiers NB Trails, Meduxnekeag River Association, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Truly a homegrown effort, the development of the app was supported by Fredericton-based business Stellar Learning Strategies and the Moncton-based tech company Cognitive X.
Since its launch in August 2014, ExploreEcoNB has been downloaded more than 1,400 times, helping hundreds of New Brunswickers gain a deeper appreciation for their natural environment by experiencing the wonders of what our wilderness, waterways, public parks and trails have to offer.
ExploreEcoNB was made possible by funding from Mountain Equipment Co-Op’s Community Contribution program, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, as well as equal funding and in-kind contributions from all participating partner organizations.
For more information, visit ExploreEcoNB.com or find the app in the Apple Store, Android Play Store, or Windows Store.
PARTNER STATEMENTS:
Conservation Council of New Brunswick : “We are so pleased that ExploreEcoNB won the prize. I have the app on my iPad and I use it to show others our fun and beautiful New Brunswick. Kudos to the development team,” says Lois Corbett, Executive Director, Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Nature Trust of New Brunswick: “The ExploreEcoNB project came about after our organization created an app designed to build public awareness of our network of preserves in New Brunswick. We decided to open it up to more provincial partners because of its great potential to connect people with even more natural places in the province, some of which they may not have known existed before,” says Renata Woodward, Executive Director, Nature Trust of New Brunswick. “We are thrilled to be recognized by the CWTA for this amazing partnership effort to connect the community with nature.”
NB Department of Natural Resources: “We’re very pleased with the success of the ExploreEcoNB app and I want to congratulate all the partners on this excellent new way of connecting people with our province’s beautiful natural areas,” says Denis Landry, Minister of Natural Resources. “This is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together.”
Nature Conservancy of Canada: “This award will bring attention to the mobile application, helping us advance our collective goal of getting people outside and connected to nature,” says Paula Noel, NB Program Director with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “We invite people to use the ExploreEcoNB app to discover some of the 31 Nature Conservancy of Canada Nature Reserves across the province.”
New Brunswick Provincial Parks: “Parks NB fully supports the ExploreEcoNB app as a great tool for helping youth and families connect to nature through Parks,” says Ian Smith, Project Executive with the Department of Tourism, Heritage & Culture.
Parks Canada: “Parks Canada is pleased to participate in ExploreEcoNB app that showcases the beautiful places in New Brunswick for all Canadians to enjoy,” says Livia Goodbrand, External Relations Manager for Fundy National Park. “Through initiatives like these, Parks Canada is encouraging Canadians to connect with nature and fostering an appreciation of the great outdoors among people of all ages.”
New Brunswick Trails Council: “We are so excited that ExploreEcoNB is being well received by New Brunswickers and visitors. We wanted to encourage healthy and active lifestyles by adding walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing trails to the app,” says Kevin Maillet, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, New Brunswick Trails Council. “With all the hard work put towards the creation of ExploreEcoNB, we are exceptionally grateful and honored to be recognized by a reputable organization like the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association.’’
Nature New Brunswick: “Nature NB is excited to be a partner of the ExploreEcoNB app and looks forward to building on the momentum we gained in 2014,” says Vanessa Roy-McDougall, Executive Director, Nature NB.”This app allows us to highlight New Brunswick’s Important Bird Areas and we are proud that this collaboration has been recognized by the CWTA.”
Meduxnekeag River Association: “The Meduxnekeag River Association Inc. is delighted to be part of this province-wide collaborative effort to bring more attention to the many unique natural areas in the region” says, Simon J. Mitchell, Project Coordinator. “We look forward to the increased exposure of the Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserves and the many opportunities they present for residents and visitors as a result of the ExploreEcoNB App”
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society: “The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB) is really excited to see that the ExploreEcoNB app is receiving this recognition,” says Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS New Brunswick. “Our organization is keen to help people explore our natural wilderness treasures, so they will learn to love these areas and want to protect them into the future. We are happy to know that New Brunswickers and visitors alike are using this app to get out there and appreciate the natural wonders of our province’s parks and protected natural areas.”
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To arrange an interview, contact: Jon MacNeill, Communications Officer | 458-8747 | 261-1353 | jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca