Kids, Space and Species: Leading the Way in Wildlife Conservation

Ottawa, October 9, 2001 – The announcement was made on behalf
of the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible
for the Canadian Space Agency, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of
Natural Resources and the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of
Environment.

The Space for Species project, first piloted in the 2000-2001 academic year,
is the result of a partnership between the Canadian Space Agency, the
Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada, the Canadian Wildlife
Federation and Natural Resources Canada’s Canada Centre for Remote Sensing.

“Our goal is to use space-based technology to connect students with their
environment and with each other,” said Marlene Catterall. “Whether following
a leatherback turtle as it searches for jellyfish prey or tracking a
pregnant polar bear as she searches for a denning site, students become
actively engaged in the struggle of these special animals.”

Participating classrooms study up to four species at risk in Canada:
leatherback turtle (endangered), polar bear (special concern or vulnerable),
caribou (endangered, threatened and declining populations), and eider duck
(declining). Students engage in tasks that include monitoring the complete
migratory cycle of the animals on-line and learning about the threats to
their existence. “Thanks to the consortium of partners supporting the Space
for Species project, students from coast to coast to coast will have access
to the most advanced space technologies in support of a unique learning
opportunity,” stated Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk. “The
cooperation of key Canadian wildlife biologists generated a lot of interest
and helped students share in the excitement of real life science – setting
research objectives, deciding on methodology, and collecting and
interpreting data.”

The core of the Space for Species project is its Website at
www.spaceforspecies.ca where students have access to images from Canada’s
world-renowned RADARSAT-1 Earth observation satellite and location data from
the Argos satellite. Students from Riverview Alternative School in Ottawa
today guided special guests at the Canada and the World Pavilion through the
Space for Species website. “I am just thrilled to be able to offer my
students a web-based project that encourages experiential learning and
provides the students with access to space-based technology and the
opportunity to raise their questions with scientists and astronauts,”
commented Mrs. Christine McLaughlin, one of the teachers in attendance.

In addition to the ongoing support of the Canadian Space Agency, the
Canadian Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Natural
Resources Canada’s Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, the Space for Species
project is made possible through the generous financial support of TD
Friends of the Environment Foundation, Canadian Pacific, DuPont Canada,
Rolls-Royce, Husky Oil, Cargill Limited, George Weston Limited, and RADARSAT
International. The participation of biologists from Dalhousie University,
Government of Northwest Territories, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
and Canadian Wildlife Service-Prairie and Northern Region, is also
gratefully acknowledged.

“The Canadian Wildlife Federation is delighted to be working with each of
the private and public sector partners and sponsors involved in this
project,” commented Mr. Colin Maxwell, Executive Vice-President of the
Canadian Wildlife Federation. “By exposing school children to the science
behind the effort to protect endangered animals and giving them a new
perspective about their world, we hope to instil in them a life-long desire
to protect these species.”

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For more information:

Media Relations Office
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: 450-926-4370
Fax: 450-926-4352

Michel Cléroux
Media Relations
Environment Canada
Telephone: 819-953-4016

Communications Coordinator
Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
Natural Resources Canada
Telephone: 613-996-2648
Fax: 613-996-9843

Sandy Baumgartner
Manager, Programs and Communications
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Telephone: 1-800-563-9453