Earth Day is an annual, global initiative emphasizing the need to take action and participate in efforts to protect the environment. The theme for Earth Day 2019 is “Protect Our Species.” This year, Earth Day will take place on Monday, April 22^nd.

Earth Day is the largest secular observance in the world, celebrated by more than a billion people every year. It is also a day of action that has the objective of changing human behavior as well as provoking policy changes. You can make a difference by committing to earth-friendly acts such as:

• Making more sustainable choices;
• Reducing your carbon footprint;
• Conserving energy and resources;
• Collaborating on environmental projects in your community; and
• Supporting leaders that are committed to protecting us as well as the environment.

The Earth Day Network – the organization that leads Earth Day worldwide – has designated 2019 as a crucial year to protect species from extinction. The rapid reduction of plant and wildlife populations are directly linked to diverse human activities. Climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides are some of the many activities that have far-reaching impacts on the Earth.

In order to fulfill its mandate, the Department of National Defence (DND) is required to conduct operations as well as training exercises across Canada. These have the potential to impact the environment. Nevertheless, the Department is committed to protecting the species at risk and to work jointly with wildlife management partners. These partners include Environment and Climate Change Canada, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as provincial governments and indigenous leaders.

For further information about the protection of species at risk on DND lands, please consult the Defence Energy and Environment Strategy. You can also contact your local Environment Officer, or communicate with the species-at-risk staff in Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment)’s Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Management:

• Scott Hamilton 613-971-7661; and
• Rachel McDonald at 613-971-7667