September 20, 2006 Source: :
http://www.bcit.ca/news/releases/newsrelease092006291.shtml Second annual World Rivers Day brings 100 events to BC, celebrations around the globe BURNABY, BC: Rivers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a visit to Taiwan, but British Columbia Institute of Technology instructor Mark Angelo will make a whirlwind trip there to help celebrate the second annual World Rivers Day on Sunday, September 24. What started as a provincial tradition in BC grew into a global event in 2005 after Angelo, a member of the Order of Canada and an inaugural recipient of a special United Nations Award for Science, Education and Conservation, successfully lobbied agencies of the United Nations to recognize World Rivers Day. In Taiwan, Angelo, as chair of Rivers Day, will participate in a range of activities, and as the keynote speaker, will be attending Rivers Day festivities along the newly restored Dong Shan River outside of Taipei. "This will be one of the largest World Rivers Day events in Asia and one of the biggest events happening around the world," says Angelo. "I'm honoured at the invitation to celebrate Taiwan's achievements, and it's also exciting to witness the global reach of World Rivers Day firsthand." Back where it all started in BC, more than 100 events will take place this weekend around the province, attracting between 75,000 and 100,000 people. In the United States, there are also numerous events planned including a gathering of more than 5,000 paddlers on the Gauley River in West Virginia as part of the world's largest paddling event. Among many international events, another 5,000 people are expected to take part in the first Rivers Day event on the eastern Caribbean Island of Dominica, along the White River. Known as "the nature island", Dominica will celebrate the diverse heritage associated with its 365 rivers. And in the west African country of Togo, their inaugural Rivers day events will centre around the first "People and Rivers" Festival that will take place along the Mono River and involve several hundred delegates from Togo, Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. Leading up to World Rivers Day, Angelo and a number of students from BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program participated in a special announcement earlier this week beside the Fraser River, as Canfor, a leading forests products company, donated a key riverside property known as the Harrison Knob to The Nature Trust of British Columbia. This donation is part of the extensive Heart of the Fraser initiative, which seeks to boost public awareness of the immense values associated with the Hope to Mission stretch of the Fraser, one of the most productive stretches or river in the world. In addition, this initiative is focusing on acquiring key private riverside lands for conservation purposes. "The Heart of the Fraser initiative is one of the most important conservation programs in Canada," says Angelo, who is also a spokesperson for the campaign. "And while World Rivers Day extends its reach around the world, we must also remain diligent about protecting the precious rivers we have right here at home," he added. For a sampling of events taking place in BC, visit the Outdoor Recreation Council’s website at: www.orcbc.ca/pro_bcriversday.htm -30-
For further information, media can call: Mark Angelo, BCIT Fish, Wildlife, Recreation Program
Tel. 604-432-8270
mark_angelo@bcit.ca Allison Markin, Media Relations Manager
Tel. 604-432-8773
Cell 604-836-6700
allison_markin@bcit.ca To learn more about the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program, visit the School of Construction and the Environment, search for part-time courses, or call 604-434-1610 for program and course information.
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