Public support grows to keep the Restigouche Wild!

Nearly 2,500 signatures collected, Facebook group growing

Fredericton — Barely two months after launching a special public campaign to protect the Restigouche River watershed, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has already collected nearly 2,500 signatures!  This sends a strong message that the people of Quebec, New Brunswick and other parts of Canada want to ensure this magnificent region is protected.

CPAWS has identified areas amounting to 100,000 hectares in the Restigouche River watershed that are crucial to keep wild and intact to maintain the area’s biodiversity and to support the region’s ecotourism industry.

“We’re asking people to support our request to the governments of New Brunswick and Quebec to work together to permanently protect the wildest parts of this natural jewel shared by our two provinces,” says Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS New Brunswick, who is working in collaboration with colleague Sophie Paradis of the CPAWS Quebec chapter.

“Furthermore, we’re asking our governments to better protect the old-growth forests, wildlife habitats and river banks in the Restigouche – which is one of the wildest river valleys in eastern Canada,” says Clowater.

“This place is home to rich and varied wildlife such as salmon, bear, lynx and bald eagle, and the enthusiasm for our petition is evidence that people want to protect this wilderness,” says Sophie Paradis.

CPAWS’ goal is to collect 3,000 signatures by April 2010, when the government of New Brunswick is expected to announce a shortlist of candidates for protected areas status.