What is World Environment Day?
World Environment Day (WED), held annually on June 5th, is an internationally recognized event sponsored by the United Nation’s Environment Programme aimed at inspiring people all over the world to take positive environmental action towards protecting their regions local wildlife.
This year’s WED theme focuses on working together to fight against illegal trading of wildlife and endangered species. By taking a collective stand against the illegal hunting and trading practices still taking place around the world, we help conserve our remaining endangered species.
Why should New Brunswick care?
New Brunswick might be lacking in tigers, rhinos and elephants, but that doesn’t mean some of our Province’s most beautiful and iconic species aren’t threatened, like the Atlantic salmon, the bald eagle, and the right whale.
The Grey Wolf, Woodland Caribou, Atlantic Walrus and the Wolverine are all species that used to call this province their home. They may be long gone from the region, but efforts to protect the endangered and at risk species that remain in the province are vital to maintaining the biodiversity of New Brunswick’s ecosystem.
Our forest conservation program does a lot to make sure New Brunswick’s woodland species, like these adorable baby wildcats believed to be Canada Lynx cubs, are protected.
For more information on how we work to protect New Brunswick’s iconic forestland and wildlife go to: http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/our-programs/forest-conservation/forest-and-wildlife/
The New Brunswick government’s Department of Natural Resources website lists a variety of local wildlife at different levels of risk of extinction, including: the Canada Lynx, the bald eagle, and the population of Atlantic salmon in the Bay of Fundy.
Below you’ll find a list of some species threatened in New Brunswick:
- Monarch
Flying Squirrel. Image from Canadian Wildlife Federation. - Canada warbler
- Harlequin duck
- Piping plover
- Atlantic Bluefin tuna
- Atlantic sturgeon
- Atlantic cod
- Striped bass Bay of Fundy population
- Blue whale
- Flying squirrel
Let’s do our part to make sure it doesn’t get any longer!
It’s not all happening on June 5th! Click link below to learn more about Canadian Environment Week, and how you can get involved!