MP Calkins Presents Fly Kid Foundation With a National Recreational Fisheries Award

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES--(Marketwired - June 19, 2015) - Today, Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, presented the Fly Kid Foundation with a 2015 National Recreational Fisheries Award. The foundation is the first recipient from the Northwest Territories in the award's 26-year history.

The Fly Kid Foundation is a non-profit organization that upholds a guiding principle of "Fun and Friendship through Fly Fishing." They have encouraged and taught conservation, environmental awareness and fly fishing to Northern youth since 2006. The foundation supports young anglers who want to learn about fly fishing, the conservation of fish habitat and the relationship between sensitive Northern ecosystems and urban environments.

The Fly Kid Foundation currently focusses on the preservation and regeneration of Baker Creek. This project seeks to develop and install a 'living classroom' to highlight the area's unique ecological and recreational value. Through this project, the foundation aims to provide sustainable access to an urban fishery, as well as to educate and motivate Yellowknife citizens to commit to the conservation of a unique urban fishery and recreational area.

The Fly Kid Foundation facilitates sound environmental design and community engagement while maintaining a strong commitment to youth.

Quick Facts

• Canada's National Recreational Fisheries Awards were created in 1989 to recognize outstanding contributions by individuals and organizations in areas such as recreational community leadership, restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat or promoting conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.
• Approximately 3.3 million adult anglers participated in recreational fishing activities in Canada in 2010. Moreover, recreational fishing contributes approximately $8.3 billion to local economies from coast to coast to coast according to the most recent survey on the topic.
• Over the last two years, the Government of Canada has committed $25 million to restore and preserve fishery habitat through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. The Economic Action Plan 2015 will provide an additional $30 million.

Quotes

"Recreational fisheries have tremendous social and economic importance to communities across Canada. That is why our Government is committed to supporting the individuals and organizations who are working along the shores of Canadian lakes, rivers and streams to protect and restore fishing habitat for future generations. The Government of Canada is proud to recognize the hard work of the Fly Kid Foundation volunteers and board members, as we present them with a 2015 National Recreational Fisheries Award."

Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin

"On behalf of all our volunteers and partners, we are very pleased to accept this National Recreational Fisheries Award from the Government of Canada. The Fly Kid Foundation will continue to support young anglers and educate them about the importance of environmental conservation. This ongoing project at Baker Creek is an example of how we can show deep respect and appreciation for the environment while still enjoying the recreational opportunities this unique area offers."

Brian Heppelle, Executive Director of the Fly Kid Foundation

"Our partnership with (the Fly Kid Foundation's) Educational Walking Path: Baker Creek-A Living Classroom is a project touted as one of the best youth initiatives in our region. Not only does it provide an interpretive opportunity along the creek, it highlights the extensive work done to support the stream's recovery by re-introducing native shoreline plants on a reclaimed urban mine site."

Martin Knutson, President of the Northwest Territories Wildlife Federation

Associated Links

National Recreational Fisheries Awards

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