Members Named to Panels of Expertise

Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell has appointed 12 Nova Scotians to guide the development of a new natural resources strategy for the province. The appointments were recommended by a steering panel chaired by former Chief Justice Constance Glube.

"The steering panel has selected 12 well-qualified technical experts for this second phase of the natural resources strategy process," said Ms. Glube. "The four expert panels will soon begin the job of consulting with stakeholders, and their findings will be reported to the steering panel late this fall."

The steering panel selected the panel members from applications received earlier this year.

"I thank the steering panel for their recommendations and look forward to receiving the phase two report this fall," said Mr. MacDonell. "Most important is that the panel members have demonstrated their technical expertise and that Nova Scotians will see a balanced approach on important resource issues."

The four, three-member panels of expertise will focus on the key components of the strategy: forests, minerals, parks and biodiversity.

The members of the panels are:

Forests:

• Bob Bancroft, Pomquet, biologist
• Jonathan Porter, Liverpool, manager, Forestry and Fibre Resources, Abitibi Bowater
• Donna Crossland, Bridgetown, senior park warden, Kejimkujik National Park

Minerals:

• Jacob Hanley, Halifax, geology professor, Saint Mary's University
• David Duncan, Wolfville, geologist
• Marcos Zentilli, Halifax, geology professor, Dalhousie University

Parks:

• Tony Charles, Halifax, professor of management science and environmental studies, Saint Mary's University
• Bruce Martin, Bear River, parks planner
• Dale Smith, Dartmouth, president, Nova Scotia Nature Trust

Biodiversity:

• Cliff Drysdale, Middleton, director, Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association
• Steve Mockford, Wolfville, assistant professor, Department of Biology, Acadia University
• Martha Jones, Sydney, associate professor, Department of Biology, Cape Breton University

Under the guidance of the steering panel, the four panels will define the process for researching the issues and themes that emerged during the public consultations. The panels will seek technical expertise and hold consultations. They will also prepare and submit draft reports and recommendations to the steering panel.

The steering panel oversees the strategy process during phase two, which incorporates information collected through public consultations held in 2008.

The third and final phase of the process will see the development of a strategy to manage Nova Scotia's natural assets, and guide the Department of Natural Resources and government for the next decade and beyond.

More information on the natural resources strategy process is available at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/ .