Canadian Congress on the Future of Fish and Wildlife

Bi-national event to address fish and wildlife conservation in a changing world

PETERBOROUGH, ON, April 24, 2012 /CNW/ - From May 27 - 31, 2012, the first ever National Fish & Wildlife Conservation Congress will take place at the Westin, Ottawa, bringing together governments, policy and program managers, fish and wildlife experts from across Canada and the U.S., nongovernment organizations (NGO's) and others to chart a course for the future conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife resources.

The Congress is being led by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) in partnership with the federal government, government of Ontario, and a long list of national and international NGO's such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Boone and Crockett, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Wildlife Society, among others. The event has attracted over 100 speakers from government, conservation organizations, academia and industry, who will deliver presentations and facilitate workshops designed to develop recommendations for the road ahead. Topics will include invasive species, fish and wildlife diseases, sustainable use, funding policies and a host of other topics relevant to the conservation of our valuable natural resources for today and into the future.

"The Congress is the first event of its kind to be held in Canada. Many leading experts in the field of fish and wildlife conservation from Canada and the U.S. and most of the largest conservation based organizations across North America will come together to discuss the challenges we face, and opportunities for the future in a unique format that will result in key recommendations being developed. These will serve as the impetus for creating a collaborative map on both sides of the border for the road ahead," said Greg Farrant, OFAH Manager of Government Affairs & Policy, and Congress General Manager.

Notable speakers include the Hon. Peter Kent, federal Minister of Environment, Hon. Keith Ashfield, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Hon. Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Newfoundland and Labrador, Hon. Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Poter, Director General, Canadian Wildlife Service, Rosie Cooney, World Conservation Union and Simon Roosevelt, Boone and Crockett.

For further information on the Congress program and the Congress agenda, or to register and book hotels, visit www.nfwcc.com, or call Congress Administrator Elizabeth Muckle-Jeffs at 613-732-7068 or e-mail [email protected].

With over 100,000 members, supporters and subscribers, and 675 member clubs, the OFAH is the province's largest nonprofit, conservation-based organization and the voice of anglers and hunters.  For more information visit www.ofah.org or follow the OFAH on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact:

Greg Farrant
Congress Manager
705-748-6324 ext. 236
705-875-0274 (cell)
[email protected]

Lezlie Goodwin
Manager of Communications
705-748-6324 ext. 270
705-760-5537 (cell)
[email protected]