In announcing the appointment of the committee today, Minister of Environment Chester Gillan said members have been given a number of tasks.

"First and foremost, the committee will identify species in Prince Edward Island that need protection and provide advice on their habitat needs. However, committee members will also be asked to recommend ways to encourage the public to participate in conservation and protection efforts, as well as recovery plans for species at risk."

The following people have been appointed to the Species at Risk Advisory Committee :

• Dr. Donna Giberson, a member of the faculty in the Department of Biology at the University of Prince Edward Island;

• Dr. David Cairns, a scientist in the Diadromous Fish Division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada;

• Diane Amirault, a wildlife biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service;

• Kate MacQuarrie, executive director of Island Nature Trust;

• Bryon Howard, an adventure tourism operator from South Rustico;

• Duane MacDonald, a beef producer in Lady Fane;

• Robbie Shaw, a tourism operator in Brackley Beach;

• Dan McAskill, provincial forest manager with the PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry; and

• Rosemary Curley, a biologist with the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment.

"The council members bring a wide variety of experience and a wealth of expertise to the table," said Minister Gillan. "I am confident they will contribute a great deal to the goal – that is ensuring that plant and animal species in Prince Edward Island do not become extinct."

The environment minister said the appointment of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee helps fulfill Prince Edward Island's national obligations. The province signed the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in 1996, committing to a national approach to protect endangered and threatened species. That includes providing complementary legislation and programs to protect species at risk and their habitat.

Currently, the only species in Prince Edward Island that is on the national endangered species list is the piping plover; however, Minister Gillan pointed out that there are many species that are rare provincially, although the risk of extinction is not known.

"I will be looking to the Species at Risk Advisory Committee to assess these species from a Prince Edward Island perspective to determine if they need to be protected," the minister added.

The provincial Wildlife Conservation Act, which was passed in 1998, allows for endangered, threatened and vulnerable species to be designated provincially.