ST. JOHN'S, N.L.
-- October 25, 2011 -- Today the Government
of Canada announced the Nature Conservancy
of Canada's successful acquisition of the
Grassy Place - 1,570 hectares of land in
southwest Newfoundland in the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable
Peter Penashue, Member of Parliament for
Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy
Council for Canada, made the announcement
on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister,
the Honourable Peter Kent.This project was
secured in part with funding from Environment
Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program.
"Our government
is 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, such as the Grassy Place,"
said Minister Penashue. "The forest
on this property provides habitat for the
threatened Newfoundland Marten. It is also
an important refuge for the La Poile Woodland
Caribou herd which feeds here in early summer
and fall."
The Grassy Place property
is part of the Southwest Newfoundland Natural
Area and is located in the Robinson's River
Valley, approximately 65 kilometres southwest
of Stephenville Crossing. The Grassy Place
contains the most extensive example of natural
grassland in Newfoundland and Labrador,
as well as the largest fluvial wetland of
its type in the province.
"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
our natural heritage tomorrow."
"As the largest
piece of private land on the Island of Newfoundland
and the largest property held by NCC in
Atlantic Canada, the Grassy Place is a jewel
in our crown," said Linda Stephenson,
Atlantic regional vice president for the
Nature Conservancy of Canada. "A true
ecological oasis, the Grassy Place is an
exceptionally beautiful property. It includes
a broad lush valley grasslands, 120 meter
waterfalls and mountain summits."
The Government of Canada's
$225-million Natural Areas Conservation
Program and ongoing contributions from donors
ensures 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.
+ More
Environment Canada Launches
Tool to Explore Biodiversity and Urban Nature
in Halifax Regional Municipality
DARTMOUTH, N.S. -- October
19, 2011 -- Today representatives from Environment
Canada joined with His Worship, Peter Kelly,
Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality
(HRM), to officially launch the HRM Urban
BioKit.
"Environment Canada's
HRM Urban BioKit is a tool to guide residents
through a process of discovery and exploration
of the environment, biodiversity and conservation
in the HRM," said the Honourable Peter
Kent, Minister of the Environment. "The
BioKit teaches residents how to appreciate
their local environment, while protecting
and preserving it for the future."
The HRM Urban BioKit
is an interactive, instructional tool that
leads participants on a journey through
the urban and natural landscapes close to
home. The BioKit encourages users to evaluate
the biodiversity of their local neighbourhood,
while encouraging active conservation and
providing important eco-tips along the way.
"The Government
of Canada is proud to support programs and
tools, like the HRM Urban Biokit, that encourage
people to learn about their environment-and
the important issues of preservation, protection
and conservation-in a meaningful, relevant
and interactive way," said the Honourable
Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
The fully illustrated
BioKit was developed by Environment Canada's
Biosphere in Montreal, in cooperation with
19 partners across the HRM, including the
municipal government, community and environmental
groups, local museums and historical sites.
The HRM Urban BioKit is the first one available
for a city east of Montreal.
Mayor Peter Kelly praised
the BioKit and the collaboration which made
it a reality. "When government and
the community work together, positive results
like this occur," said Mayor Kelly.
"This BioKit will help HRM residents
better appreciate Nature and will reinforce
our efforts to care for the environment."
For more information
on the Halifax Regional Municipality Urban
BioKit, visit the Environment Canada website
at http://www.ec.gc.ca/biotrousses-biokits.
