As some of you know, I started an All Party International Conservation Caucus two years ago to put conservation back on the agenda, protect our critical habitats and halt the unending march toward extinction that so many species are facing. Two years on, I am now working with a great group of MPs and Senators from each party to expose Parliamentarians and civil servants to the most up to date research on habitat preservation and the protection of species, and the very best practices available to us here at home and around the world.
Last night was the first of what will be monthly conservation briefings that we invite 
parliamentarians, civil servants and stakeholders to attend. We hosted the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a leading Canadian conservation community, who shared their work and vision for future conservation activities. It was great night of sharing key issues and solutions! CAZA President Rachel Leger explained the vital role of zoos and aquariums in providing portals for the 80% of Canadians living in urban areas to the natural world. She also told us about the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup that CAZA had put on, the largest direct action conservation program on record. In 2008, over 63,000 Canadians were involved, over 1531 shoreline sites were cleaned, and over 135,467 kg of waste was removed! Incredible. I was moved by how many people were willing to give of their time to make our country cleaner, and so many animals’ habitats more livable.
I was saddened, though, to learn that a worldwide crisis is threatening over half of our amphibian species. The crisis is linked deadly chytrid fungus, but also climate change, habitat loss, pollution and predation. We must get on these issues, and fast! For its part, CAZA has executed a national awareness program around this issue, and are working with recovery teams from across the country to try to save these frogs. CAZA has also invested over $50,000 in projects to secure the future of these frogs.
By the end of the night over 100 people had attended the briefing. The momentum to make conservation a Canadian priority is growing! I can’t tell you how proud I am of the incredible efforts of Canadian conservationists to protect habitats and secure the long term viability of our endangered species but we must do more. The caucus is committed to this. Are you? Please write me and let me know your thoughts on key conservation issues in Canada, and ways you think we should be addressing them. I will pass your thoughts and suggestions on to my colleagues and work to inform Parliament about these issues.
Thank you for reading!
Keith
