For immediate release – January 21, 2007

VANCOUVER, BC – Tides Canada Foundation is pleased that the Government of Canada has committed $30 million to protect and ensure a healthy future for British Columbia’s North and Central coast, also known as the Great Bear Rainforest.

This federal commitment will match the Province of British Columbia’s $30 million contribution and complete the public component of a $120 million financing package to fund conservation management and ecologically sustainable business ventures for First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest. Private philanthropic foundations and individual donors from around the world have pledged $60 million to the project.

Hon. John Baird, Canada’s newly-appointed Minister of the Environment announced the federal funding in a press conference attended by representatives from First Nations, leading environmental organizations, and the philanthropic community. The Government of British Columbia re-confirmed its $30 million commitment during the event.

Tides Canada Foundation supported the coalition-building among multiple stakeholders and scientific research that contributing to the Great Bear Rainforest and also leads the national fundraising initiative for the project. For the last two years, Tides Canada Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. and Canadian foundations, and individual donors have together raised more than $58 million (USD) in private, philanthropic funding to conserve the Great Bear Rainforest.

"This is the greatest, far-reaching conservation and sustainability project in British Columbia, in which we all can take considerable pride," said Rudy North of North Growth Foundation, the project’s lead Canadian private donor. “I encourage all British Columbians and Canadians to help raise the remaining $2 million to complete initial private commitments.”

“We are delighted with the federal government’s announcement of its participation in the project. This made-in-Canada conservation solution demonstrates how environmental protection and the economic health of a vast region can be secured in tandem,” said Ross McMillan, Tides Canada Foundation’s Senior Associate for Conservation. “The architects of this project – including conservation groups, First Nations, coastal communities and the forest sector – have designed a model of sustainability that is truly worthy of the international recognition and support demonstrated today.”