ALBERTON, PEI -- September
6, 2011 -- The Honourable Gail Shea, Member
of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of Peter
Kent, Canada's Minister of the Environment,
today announced the Nature Conservancy of
Canada's successful acquisition of 74 hectares
(183 acres) of land near the Town of Alberton,
Prince Edward Island. This project was secured
in part with funding from Environment Canada's
Natural Areas Conservation Program.
"The Government
of Canada is very pleased to be working
with dedicated partners, such as the Nature
Conservancy of Canada, for the long-term
conservation of the biological diversity
of Canada's natural treasures," said
Minister Shea. "The Conway Sandhills
property, part of the PEI Coast and Forest
Natural Area, represents ecologically significant
areas that are home to animal species at
risk, such as the endangered Piping Plover."
The property is located
on the Conway Sandhills and is part of a
50 kilometre sand dune and wetland area
on the north shore of western Prince Edward
Island.
"This acquisition
marks another achievement under our government's
Natural Areas Conservation Program. With
this investment, we are taking real action
to protect and conserve our ecosystems and
sensitive species for present and future
generations," said Minister Kent. "Your
actions today will help to protect the abundance
and variety of life that will constitute
an integral part of our natural heritage
tomorrow."
"I wish to recognize
Environment Canada and all donors who have
contributed to preserving this important
Natural Area." said Linda Stephenson,
Regional Vice-President with the Nature
Conservancy of Canada. "The Conway
Sandhills will continue to be a focal area
as NCC wishes to ensure the natural features
such as the sand dunes, salt marsh, Piping
Plover, and waterfowl are maintained in
a healthy state."
The Government of Canada's
$225-million Natural Areas Conservation
Program is an important on-the-ground initiative
that takes real action to preserve Canada's
environment and conserve its precious natural
heritage for present and future generations.
The ensured protection of Canada's natural
areas comes as a result of the ongoing contribution
from all donors. As of March 2011, the Natural
Areas Conservation Program has protected
160,796 hectares, almost three times the
size of Quebec City, which includes habitats
for 101 species at risk.
+ More
Harper Government and
Nature Conservancy of Canada conserve valuable
habitat in Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario
OWEN SOUND, Ont. --
September 13, 2011 -- Larry Miller, Member
of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound,
on behalf of Canada's Minister of the Environment,
the Honourable Peter Kent, announced yesterday
the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful
acquisition of the McClennan property -
220 hectares of land in the Township of
Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. This
project was secured in part with funding
from Environment Canada's Natural Areas
Conservation Program.
"This acquisition
marks another achievement under our government's
Natural Areas Conservation Program. With
this investment, we are taking real action
to protect and conserve our ecosystems and
sensitive species for present and future
generations," said Minister Kent. "Your
actions today will help to protect the abundance
and variety of life that will constitute
an integral part of our natural heritage
tomorrow."
The Northern Bruce Peninsula
Natural Area is the second highest ranking
area in the Great Lakes Eco-region of Ontario
for global biodiversity values. It is home
to many rare vegetation communities and
several significant ecological systems such
as alvars, wetlands, and limestone plain
forests.
"This piece of
property will be a great compliment to the
Bruce Peninsula's national park," commented
MP Miller. "This will help to preserve
the area for all of us to enjoy for years
to come."
The McClennan property
contains wetland, forest and shoreline habitats,
and supports at-risk and globally rare species
such as Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and
Hill's Thistle. The property is adjacent
to Gauley Bay where large aggregations of
waterfowl, such as Common Goldeneye, Lesser
Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck, are common
during migration.
"This project on
the Northern Bruce Peninsula is the result
of incredible partnerships with public and
private partners, as well as passionate
individuals," said Chris Maher, Ontario
Regional Vice President for the Nature Conservancy
of Canada. "Together we are building
an incredible conservation legacy that our
grandchildren will surely thank us for."
The Government of Canada's
$225-million Natural Areas Conservation
Programis an important on-the-ground initiative
that takes real action to preserve Canada's
environment and conserve its precious natural
heritage for present and future generations.
It is through the ongoing contribution from
all donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of March
2011, the Natural Areas Conservation Program
has protected 160,796 hectares, almost three
times the size of Quebec City, which includes
habitat for 101 species at risk.
