Riverkeeper Obtains Registered Charity Status
November Membership Drive Begins

(Moncton - November 7, 2001) - The Petitcodiac Riverkeeper has become the first environmental organisation in the Greater Moncton area to obtain Canadian Registered Charity status.

Daniel LeBlanc, Executive Director of the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper made the announcement this morning to coincide with the launch of the organisation's membership drive for November. "Obtaining this official designation has been a long process for our organisation, and an achievement that we are very proud of," said LeBlanc. "Our work to protect and restore the Petitcodiac River system depends on our ability to continue raising funds in the public. So being able to provide tax-deductible receipts to our donors will be a significant boost to our work".

The Petitcodiac Riverkeeper was licensed in February 1999 as Canada's first Keeper program by the Waterkeeper Alliance, the umbrella agency for over 70 Keeper programs now located throughout the Americas and presided by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The mission of the now officially recognised Canadian charitable organisation is to protect and restore the ecological integrity of the Petitcodiac River and the Shepody Bay ecosystem situated at the headwaters of the Bay of Fundy. The organisation uses a series of activities to achieve these objectives, including public awareness, public advocacy, stream rehabilitation and watershed improvement projects, and the enforcement of federal and provincial environmental laws.

With his organisation's first 100 official receipts in hand, Daniel LeBlanc pledged to raise at least $100,000 for the organisation's efforts to restore the Petitcodiac River. "Saving the Petitcodiac River for the benefit of present and future generations is the first priority of this organisation," said LeBlanc, "and we intend to do it with the help and the support of the residents, businesses and communities in this watershed".

The Petitcodiac Riverkeeper is now actively seeking new members and volunteer canvassers for the organisation's November membership drive, with the promise of delivering results on the Petitcodiac River as well as a tax-deductible receipt for each donation given to the charity. Volunteers interested in helping out can visit the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper office at 18 Botsford Street in Moncton or else call at 388-5337.

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