INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF LOCAL GEOLOGY

A national poster series is giving Canadians greater knowledge of their local landscape and natural resources. Today, at Robert Usher Collegiate, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan launched Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan — one in a series of posters that features the geological landscape of Canadian communities.

The launch fittingly takes place on Earth Day, a day when millions of Canadians take part in actions to safeguard the environment in their communities.

"The Geoscape posters illustrate the Canadian landscape in a way that engages and informs Canadians about their community," federal Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale said on behalf of Minister of Natural Resources Canada R. John Efford. "The posters will help interested people in Saskatchewan better understand our local environment. For instance, the map shows the evolution of the province's southern landscape and includes information about energy and mineral resources, water resources, and landslide and swelling-clay hazards."

"Saskatchewan's geology is at the heart of important economic development and environmental decisions. Land use, water quality and quantity, and employment opportunities are just some of the vital issues geology impacts," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "The more we know about our local geology, the more successful we'll be in building sustainable communities. This poster helps us understand just how vital geoscience is to ensuring our natural resources are managed well today for tomorrow's generation."

Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan is the result of a partnership among Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, the University of Regina, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and other partners including geoscience consulting firms and educators.

In partnership with the Saskatchewan Geological Society, approximately 1,000 Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan posters were printed and will be distributed to each school in the province.

Posters are available at the university bookstores in Saskatoon and Regina for $15 (tax included), through the Saskatchewan Geological Society or through NRCan and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources sales offices. For more information on Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan and other posters in the series, visit www.geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca.

Canadian communities can be more sustainable if they understand their local "geoscape" — or geological landscape. Each poster in the Geoscape series focuses on a particular area in Canada and, along with the companion Web site, has been designed with the public and students in mind. The posters go beyond traditional maps by using rich illustrations and easy-to-read information to "tell the story" of the geology and resources of a community.

The Geoscape Canada program, led by the Geological Survey of Canada (part of NRCan), is developing posters for 15 communities across the country. To date, most of the communities have been metropolitan areas (including Vancouver, Calgary, Montréal, Halifax and Whitehorse). Geoscape Southern Saskatchewan is the first poster to be developed of a larger region. The region of Nanaimo (central Vancouver Island) in British Columbia will be the next poster to be developed in the Geoscape series.

This initiative reaffirms Canada's and Saskatchewan's commitment to building a sustainable economy for the 21st century, a healthier environment and strong communities.

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For More Information, Contact:

Alexandra Muir Office of the Minister, Natural Resources Canada Ottawa Phone: (613) 947-8246	Ghyslain Charron Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada Ottawa Phone: (613) 992-4447
Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8360