MONCTON – The new Petitcodiac Riverkeeper says he has a particular set of skills that can help secure funding to restore the River.
Daniel Bard started as the new Riverkeeper and the group’s executive director on September 30. Bard has experience in securing financing for environmentally friendly projects and says he can use that to his advantage.
“Meeting new people and making alliances is what is encouraging with this whole thing,” he said. “I could bring a lot of strong companies into this and help us out to restructure the river.”
As the Riverkeeper, Bard’s responsibilities include defending the Petitcodiac’s natural habitat and making sure environmental laws are being followed.
But he says his priorities will also include replacing a causeway across the river with a new bridge and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in the water.
Bard says working with the public and governments can make a difference.
“There’s alternative ways to do things and hopefully we’ll get it done,” he said.
Other environmental awareness groups say having a full-time Riverkeeper on board will help them focus on the science behind protecting the Petitcodiac.
Christine McLauchlan is the executive director for the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance.
“They’re a lot better at community outreach and the advocacy component so it really helps get our science out there more and use more on policy,” she said.
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