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Days Of Action - Point Pelee National Park
by Peaceful Parks
by Peaceful Parks
The Stephen Harper govt. has tentatively approved a plan by Parks Canada to shoot thousands of nesting Double-crested Cormorants at Middle Island, Point Pelee National Park beginning as early as next week – April 29, 2008.
They plan to reduce the vibrant and historical colonial waterbird colony by 90%, possibly killing as many as 7500 birds in the first week of May.
They plan to reduce the vibrant and historical colonial waterbird colony by 90%, possibly killing as many as 7500 birds in the first week of May.
Day of Action - Sunday May 18, 2008 (Victoria Day long weekend)
WHERE: Point Pelee National Park – primary location
Also
Ojibway Nature Centre – Windsor
Pelee Island ferry docks - Leamington
Rondeau Provincial Park – Chatham
Long Point Provincial Park – south of Kitchener
Ward’s Island - Toronto
Boycott Point Pelee National Park - Protect Birds
The Harper government and Parks Canada have decided to shoot thousands of nesting Double-crested Cormorants at Middle Island, Point Pelee National Park. They plan to reduce the vibrant and historical colonial waterbird colony by 90%, destabilizing the ecological integrity of both the island and the Lake Erie aquatic ecosystem.
Ojibway Nature Centre – Windsor
Pelee Island ferry docks - Leamington
Rondeau Provincial Park – Chatham
Long Point Provincial Park – south of Kitchener
Ward’s Island - Toronto
Boycott Point Pelee National Park - Protect Birds
The Harper government and Parks Canada have decided to shoot thousands of nesting Double-crested Cormorants at Middle Island, Point Pelee National Park. They plan to reduce the vibrant and historical colonial waterbird colony by 90%, destabilizing the ecological integrity of both the island and the Lake Erie aquatic ecosystem.
Unfounded Claims by Parks Canada
Claim: Cormorants are destroying ‘rare’ vegetation on Middle Island.
Truth: Middle Island is part of a larger biological zone known as the Carolinian Life Zone. Its northern edge reaches into southern Ontario and stretched from Sarnia to Toronto. Vegetation found on Middle Island is not considered ‘rare’ or ‘at risk’ throughout its biological range, found primary south of the Canadian border. Its ‘rare’ designation in Canada is based on a political border, and not on biological criteria.
Claim: Parks Canada states cormorants are ‘destroying’ Monarch Butterfly habitat
Truth: Parks Canada has failed to produce any scientific evidence that demonstrates that the cormorant colony threatens the monarch butterfly or any other wildlife that shares Middle Island with nesting cormorants.
Claim: Double-crested Cormorants are ‘hyper-abundant’.
Truth: The large dense colonies of cormorants during nesting periods serve as a natural barrier against predators that feast of cormorant eggs and chicks. These predators include other colonial birds such as gulls and herons. Populations are self-regulating once colonies become too dense. This basic ecological principle is true for all species. The term ‘hyper abundance’ has no basis in scientific study, and is a fabricated term to justify the removal of unwanted wildlife.
Claim: Parks Canada does not want to eliminate Double-crested Cormorants from Point Pelee National Park
Truth: Parks Canada will reduce the cormorant population by 90%, from approximately 8000 nesting birds to only 800 nesting birds - a mere shadow of the original colony. This artificially contrived number is unrepresentative of a natural cormorant colony and could jeopardize the population altogether.
Good Reasons To Boycott Point Pelee National Park
Historically, boycotts have been instrumental in establishing positive social and environmental change, and are an effective yet quiet method of sending a strong message.
People who have expressed their opposition but whose voices park management has ignored can act independently of government agencies through a boycott of the park;
A boycott of Point Pelee National Park would spread tourist dollars throughout the region. Point Pelee has always acted as a source sink for tourists, but there are hundreds of alternative beach and birding sites within minutes of the park gates, all as good as Point Pelee itself. Spreading the wealth could be a positive outcome of a boycott.
Historical Boycotts:
The United Farm Workers Union led a successful boycott against California grapes and wines throughout the 1980s protesting the use of pesticides on grapes and its effects on worker’s health.
A global boycott of canned tuna forced tuna producing countries to abandon the deadly use of driftnets that killed dolphins and other marine animals as by-catch.
Truth: Middle Island is part of a larger biological zone known as the Carolinian Life Zone. Its northern edge reaches into southern Ontario and stretched from Sarnia to Toronto. Vegetation found on Middle Island is not considered ‘rare’ or ‘at risk’ throughout its biological range, found primary south of the Canadian border. Its ‘rare’ designation in Canada is based on a political border, and not on biological criteria.
Claim: Parks Canada states cormorants are ‘destroying’ Monarch Butterfly habitat
Truth: Parks Canada has failed to produce any scientific evidence that demonstrates that the cormorant colony threatens the monarch butterfly or any other wildlife that shares Middle Island with nesting cormorants.
Claim: Double-crested Cormorants are ‘hyper-abundant’.
Truth: The large dense colonies of cormorants during nesting periods serve as a natural barrier against predators that feast of cormorant eggs and chicks. These predators include other colonial birds such as gulls and herons. Populations are self-regulating once colonies become too dense. This basic ecological principle is true for all species. The term ‘hyper abundance’ has no basis in scientific study, and is a fabricated term to justify the removal of unwanted wildlife.
Claim: Parks Canada does not want to eliminate Double-crested Cormorants from Point Pelee National Park
Truth: Parks Canada will reduce the cormorant population by 90%, from approximately 8000 nesting birds to only 800 nesting birds - a mere shadow of the original colony. This artificially contrived number is unrepresentative of a natural cormorant colony and could jeopardize the population altogether.
Good Reasons To Boycott Point Pelee National Park
Historically, boycotts have been instrumental in establishing positive social and environmental change, and are an effective yet quiet method of sending a strong message.
People who have expressed their opposition but whose voices park management has ignored can act independently of government agencies through a boycott of the park;
A boycott of Point Pelee National Park would spread tourist dollars throughout the region. Point Pelee has always acted as a source sink for tourists, but there are hundreds of alternative beach and birding sites within minutes of the park gates, all as good as Point Pelee itself. Spreading the wealth could be a positive outcome of a boycott.
Historical Boycotts:
The United Farm Workers Union led a successful boycott against California grapes and wines throughout the 1980s protesting the use of pesticides on grapes and its effects on worker’s health.
A global boycott of canned tuna forced tuna producing countries to abandon the deadly use of driftnets that killed dolphins and other marine animals as by-catch.
A consumer rejection of genetically modified foods has created a
prosperous organic food industry that continues to expand today.
Why A Boycott Will Work – Point Pelee National Park.
In 2006 the Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island released an economic impact report, ‘Birding in Essex County’, describing the importance of birding in the region. The report recommends promoting birding opportunities throughout the region to maximize economic benefits beyond just Point Pelee National Park. While Point Pelee National Park was identified as the primary site for birders, the majority of birders interviewed considered birding throughout the region to be superb.
The cancellation of Point Pelee National Park from your birding itinerary will still offer superb birding opportunities throughout Essex County, and could have a greater local economic impact.
Some Key Results:
Spring songbird migration is the most important product;
Fall hawk and songbird migration is secondary but still has the potential to draw more birders to the region;
There is a need to develop a diversity of habitats for birds and birders.
Some Key Recommendations Specific to Point Pelee National Park:
The park should be managed for habitat diversity for migrating birds; The park should re-evaluate its current investment in management of environmental impacts; The park should develop managed viewing opportunities for birders.
Instead, Point Pelee management staff will begin dismantling the famous colonial waterbird colony on Middle Island as early as April 2008 by shooting thousands of nesting Double-crested Cormorants. The short-sightedness of this policy must be challenged by local businesses and rejected by birders and tourists alike.
Dramatic Visitor Decline at Point Pelee National Park
Since 1991, visitors to Point Pelee National Park have dropped from over 400,000 annual visitors to approximately 225,000 in 2006, and 2007 trends continue to show a steady decline. (source Point Pelee National Park). Declines are consistent for very month.
Information collected in 2006 suggests that the international birder has disappeared completely from Essex County – 18% of visitors were from the United States, and 82% were domestic birders.
While the Visitor Bureau recommends promoting Point Pelee National Park abroad, including Quebec, the United States and Europe, a regionally focused boycott - steering visitors away from Point Pelee National Park and promoting local and regional alternative birding sites – should be successful. A successful campaign would stop direct funding for environmentally destructive governemnt policies such as the dismantling of the colonial waterbird colony on Middle Island.
Excellent Birding Sites Outside Point Pelee National Park
Within 15 minutes of Point Pelee National Park
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area
Wheatly Harbour
Wheatly Provincial Park
Two Creeks Conservation Area
Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area
Sturgeon Creek
Birding Sites within 1 hour of Point Pelee National Park
Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Ojibway Park Complex
Detroit River and Little River
Ruscom Shores Conservation Area
Tremblay Beach Conservation Area
St. Clair National Wildlife Area
Comber (big ‘O’ Woods Conservation Area)
Jack Miner Sanctuary
Kingsville Harbour and Shore
Cedar Creek Conservation Area
Sewage Lagoons
Pelee Island
Rondeau Provincial Park (south of Chatham)
The action is simple. It involves handing out information asking visitors to boycott Point Pelee National Park. For those visitors already at Point Pelee, we will ask them to wear black arm bands while in the park, and consider cancelling future visits to the park.
All action will occur outside the park gates and off park property.
The Peaceful Parks Coalition has called for a boycott of Point Pelee National Park because we believe a boycott would be effective. Visitors to Point Pelee are already at an all time low, and a strong rejection of park policy by supporters could halt the shooting of cormorants scheduled for the next five years.
Parks Canada is part of a broader partnership, that includes the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Region and Conservation Authority, Canadian Wildlife Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose mandate is to kill double-crested cormorants at their nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes basin, leaving so place safe for these birds anywhere.
For detailed background information, please link to www.peacefulparks.org and http://www.peacefulparks.org/ppc/action_cormoranthm.htm
The information that will be distributed will be an updated version of the two factsheets included below: Boycott Point Pelee National Park – Protect Birds and Why a Boycott Will Work.
The Peaceful Parks Coalition will provide all information factsheets, organize transportation and billeting for those who can travel to Point Pelee National Park, and will provide all participants with a protocol on how to interact with the public.
If you can help, please forward your full name, address and telephone number.
Please circulate widely
Peaceful Parks Coalition W. www.peacefulparks.org E. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it T. toll free 1.877.785.8636
Why A Boycott Will Work – Point Pelee National Park.
In 2006 the Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island released an economic impact report, ‘Birding in Essex County’, describing the importance of birding in the region. The report recommends promoting birding opportunities throughout the region to maximize economic benefits beyond just Point Pelee National Park. While Point Pelee National Park was identified as the primary site for birders, the majority of birders interviewed considered birding throughout the region to be superb.
The cancellation of Point Pelee National Park from your birding itinerary will still offer superb birding opportunities throughout Essex County, and could have a greater local economic impact.
Some Key Results:
Spring songbird migration is the most important product;
Fall hawk and songbird migration is secondary but still has the potential to draw more birders to the region;
There is a need to develop a diversity of habitats for birds and birders.
Some Key Recommendations Specific to Point Pelee National Park:
The park should be managed for habitat diversity for migrating birds; The park should re-evaluate its current investment in management of environmental impacts; The park should develop managed viewing opportunities for birders.
Instead, Point Pelee management staff will begin dismantling the famous colonial waterbird colony on Middle Island as early as April 2008 by shooting thousands of nesting Double-crested Cormorants. The short-sightedness of this policy must be challenged by local businesses and rejected by birders and tourists alike.
Dramatic Visitor Decline at Point Pelee National Park
Since 1991, visitors to Point Pelee National Park have dropped from over 400,000 annual visitors to approximately 225,000 in 2006, and 2007 trends continue to show a steady decline. (source Point Pelee National Park). Declines are consistent for very month.
Information collected in 2006 suggests that the international birder has disappeared completely from Essex County – 18% of visitors were from the United States, and 82% were domestic birders.
While the Visitor Bureau recommends promoting Point Pelee National Park abroad, including Quebec, the United States and Europe, a regionally focused boycott - steering visitors away from Point Pelee National Park and promoting local and regional alternative birding sites – should be successful. A successful campaign would stop direct funding for environmentally destructive governemnt policies such as the dismantling of the colonial waterbird colony on Middle Island.
Excellent Birding Sites Outside Point Pelee National Park
Within 15 minutes of Point Pelee National Park
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area
Wheatly Harbour
Wheatly Provincial Park
Two Creeks Conservation Area
Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area
Sturgeon Creek
Birding Sites within 1 hour of Point Pelee National Park
Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Ojibway Park Complex
Detroit River and Little River
Ruscom Shores Conservation Area
Tremblay Beach Conservation Area
St. Clair National Wildlife Area
Comber (big ‘O’ Woods Conservation Area)
Jack Miner Sanctuary
Kingsville Harbour and Shore
Cedar Creek Conservation Area
Sewage Lagoons
Pelee Island
Rondeau Provincial Park (south of Chatham)
The action is simple. It involves handing out information asking visitors to boycott Point Pelee National Park. For those visitors already at Point Pelee, we will ask them to wear black arm bands while in the park, and consider cancelling future visits to the park.
All action will occur outside the park gates and off park property.
The Peaceful Parks Coalition has called for a boycott of Point Pelee National Park because we believe a boycott would be effective. Visitors to Point Pelee are already at an all time low, and a strong rejection of park policy by supporters could halt the shooting of cormorants scheduled for the next five years.
Parks Canada is part of a broader partnership, that includes the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Region and Conservation Authority, Canadian Wildlife Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose mandate is to kill double-crested cormorants at their nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes basin, leaving so place safe for these birds anywhere.
For detailed background information, please link to www.peacefulparks.org and http://www.peacefulparks.org/ppc/action_cormoranthm.htm
The information that will be distributed will be an updated version of the two factsheets included below: Boycott Point Pelee National Park – Protect Birds and Why a Boycott Will Work.
The Peaceful Parks Coalition will provide all information factsheets, organize transportation and billeting for those who can travel to Point Pelee National Park, and will provide all participants with a protocol on how to interact with the public.
If you can help, please forward your full name, address and telephone number.
Please circulate widely
Peaceful Parks Coalition W. www.peacefulparks.org E. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it T. toll free 1.877.785.8636
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