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Leading conservation organization calls on political candidates to take a stand for endangered species and important habitats

Media Advisory/Photo Op - Attention: Photo/Assignment Editors; Environment Reporters

Event: Ontario Nature's Rally for Nature

Date and time: September 21, 2011; 11:00am - 1:00pm.

Location: Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario

Speakers:
* Caroline Schultz, Executive Director, Ontario Nature
* Gary Sault, Elder of the Mississauga New Credit First Nation, will launch the Rally for Nature with a smudging ceremony, a ritual used to cleanse negative energies, spirits or influences.
* Representatives from the Green Party and the NDP
* Young participants in Ontario Nature's youth program (Nature Guardians)

Background: On September 21, Ontario Nature will announce its Charter for Biodiversity, the organization's comprehensive vision outlining the importance of protecting wildlife and habitats and demonstrating how decision makers can stop the loss of biodiversity in this province (http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/campaigns/biodiversity.php). More than 6,000 people have signed the charter.

Ontario Nature has been protecting nature (biodiversity) for 80 years. In this rally, and through our charter, we are asking the government and all candidates running in the provincial election to do the same.

Our biodiversity charter outlines 10 ways the provincial government can stop the ongoing loss of our wildlife by 2020. We are asking government to take these steps to keep the natural world we depend on safe; this is the world that future generations will inherit from us.

For more information, contact:
Victoria Foote, Director of Communications: 416 444-8419 ext.238; victoriaf@ontarionature.org; 647 290-9384 (cell).

John Hassell, Communications Coordinator: 416 444-8419 ext.269; johnh@ontarionature.org

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Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters and 140 member groups across Ontario (charitable registration # 10737 8952 RR0001). For more information, visit www.ontarionature.org.