On September 1, 1914,  Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, died in the Cincinnati Zoo.   The environmental writer, Harold W. Wood, Jr. proposed that this  anniversary be recognized as Species Requiem Day. The Wilderness Committee is marking this day with a rally in front of Canada Place in Edmonton. The goal of the rally is to raise awareness to  the threat of extinction to birds in the Boreal Forest.

“Passenger Pigeons once darkened the sky,”  said Kevin Stewart of the Wilderness Committee, “Now they're gone. If the habitat destruction  and fragmentation continues in the Boreal Forest, the birds who need it as a their nursery will share the some fate. Scientists have confirmed that dozens of boreal bird species are in free-fall collapse. Some species have declined by 90% . Soon, they too may join the passenger pigeon”

Tomorrow at noon, the Wilderness Committee and supporters will set up a graveyard of lost species in front of Canada Place to draw attention to the  threats of extinction faced by the Boreal Birds and others species world wide.

Stewart adds, “The only way to stop the dire predictions of species loss, is to band together and change our ways. Otherwise, life on Earth faces an impoverished future.”

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: In front of Canada Place, 9700 Jasper Ave. Edmonton, AB  
 
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For more information contact Kevin Stewart – Alberta Campaigner
tel: (780) 421-7335
e-mail: aspenparkland@yahoo.com