HALIFAX, N.S. - June
24, 2010 - Gerald Keddy, MP, South Shore
- St. Margaret's, and Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister of International Trade,
on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister
Jim Prentice, today announced the Nature
Conservancy of Canada's
successful acquisition of the Johnstons
Pond property - a total of 120 hectares
(297 acres) of land near Shelburne, Nova
Scotia. This project was secured in part
with funding from Environment Canada's Natural
Areas Conservation Program and has an overall
budget of $564,038.
"Government of
Canada action is helping Nature Conservancy
of Canada secure this important and ecologically-sensitive
area through conservation planning and habitat
restoration for future generations of Canadians
to enjoy," said Member of Parliament
Gerald Keddy. "Today's announcement
means that many species, such as the Harlequin
Duck, will be able to call this wonderfully
diverse habitat their home for years to
come."
The Johnstons Pond property
features mature forests that are home to
a variety of important forest and animal
species. Johnstons Pond's mature coastal
forest surrounds a barachois pond, salt
marsh and mudflats that are foraging and
roosting sites for migratory waterfowl and
shorebirds including the Semipalmated Sandpiper,
Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover,
Sanderling, and Ruddy Turnstone.
The property is dominated
by mature upland forest and wetlands flanking
almost the entire eastern boundary of the
Johnston's Pond estuary. Three kilometers
of the property's Myrica-dominated shoreline
borders the upper reaches of the estuary,
which supports nesting and foraging birds
such as American Black Duck, Common Eider,
Black Scoter and Harlequin Duck, a COSEWIC
species of special concern, which has been
recorded staging offshore. Boreal Felt Lichen
has newly been recorded on lands along the
western boundary of the Pond. The mature
coastal forest may represent potential habitat
for this nationally endangered species.
"This acquisition
marks another achievement under our government's
$225-million Natural Areas Conservation
Program. Our Government is proud of the
work we are doing to protect and conserve
our ecosystems and sensitive species for
present and future generations," said
Minister Prentice. "Your actions, large
or small, will help to protect the abundance
and variety of life that is part of our
natural heritage."
"These Gifts to
Canadians are tangible examples of what
we are able to achieve by working together.
By designing and managing networks of protected
areas we fulfill our national and global
responsibility to protect Canada's natural
treasures for the future," said John
Lounds President & CEO of Nature Conservancy
of Canada. "What better way to celebrate
our nation than by protecting the spectacular
lands and wildlife that our country is known
for around the world."
The Government of Canada's
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. It is
through the ongoing contribution from all
donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of March
2010, under the Natural Areas Conservation
Program over 138,600 hectares (342,500 acres)
have been secured, protecting habitat for
over 79 species at risk.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government of Canada
and Nature Conservancy of Canada conserve
valuable habitat near Red Deer, Alberta
RED DEER, Alberta -
June 25, 2010 - Earl Dreeshen, Member of
Parliament for Red Deer, on behalf of Canada's
Environment Minister Jim Prentice, today
announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's
successful acquisition of Kelly Ranches
- 129.4 hectares (320 acres) of land near
Red Deer, Alberta. This project was secured
in part with funding from Environment Canada's
Natural Areas Conservation Program and has
an overall budget of $1,044,905.
"As part of the
International Year of Biodiversity, I am
pleased to announce our government's contribution
to this important project," said Mr.
Dreeshen, "The protection of the Kelly
Ranches demonstrates that government, organizations
and individual citizens are all committed
to the long-term conservation of Canada's
biological diversity."
The Kelly Ranches property
consists of stands of white spruce, shrubs,
tame pasture and wetlands that are home
to many diverse species from mule deer and
moose to red-tailed hawk and numerous waterfowl.
The Kelly Ranches property is an important
acquisition for the Nature Conservancy of
Canada in their efforts to link together
other protected areas in the region, providing
a continuous stretch of habitat for wildlife
that will provide even greater benefit.
"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 Prentice.
"Your actions, large or small, will
help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
"These Gifts to
Canadians are tangible examples of what
we are able to achieve by working together.
By designing and managing networks of protected
areas we fulfill our national and global
responsibility to protect Canada's natural
treasures for the future," said John
Lounds President & CEO of Nature Conservancy
of Canada. "What better way to celebrate
our nation than by protecting the spectacular
lands and wildlife that our country is known
for around the world?"
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.
It is through the ongoing contribution from
all donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of March
2010, under the Natural Areas Conservation
Program over 138,600 hectares (342,500 acres)
have been secured, protecting habitat for
over 79 species at risk.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government of Canada
and Nature Conservancy of Canada conserve
valuable habitat in the Codroy Valley, Newfoundland
and Labrador
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - June
25, 2010 - Canada's Environment Minister
Jim Prentice, today announced the Nature
Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition
of the Chaisson property - two hectares
(4.9 acres) of land in the Codroy Valley,
Newfoundland and Labrador. This project
was secured in part with funding from Environment
Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program
and has an overall budget of $85,000.
"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 Prentice.
"Your actions, large or small, will
help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
The Chaisson property
is located in the Codroy Valley, known for
its populations of migrating and nesting
waterfowl, lush freshwater marshes, rare
plants and many songbirds uncommon to Newfoundland
and Labrador. This two hectare (4.9 acres)
property consists of estuarine shoreline,
grassy fields, and forested areas. The varied
habitats found on this property provide
a great staging and nesting habitat for
songbirds and especially waterfowl, as well
as small mammals. Recognized as an Important
Bird Area (IBA) of international importance,
and as the largest and most significant
wetland system in Newfoundland, the Codroy
Valley estuary provides important habitat
for migrating water fowl, such as geese
and ducks, including Canada Geese, Black
Duck, Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American
Wigeon, and Greater Scaup.
"These Gifts to
Canadians are tangible examples of what
we are able to achieve by working together.
By designing and managing networks of protected
areas we fulfill our national and global
responsibility to protect Canada's natural
treasures for the future," said John
Lounds President & CEO of Nature Conservancy
of Canada. "What better way to celebrate
our nation than by protecting the spectacular
lands and wildlife that our country is known
for around the world."
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.
It is through the ongoing contribution from
all donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of March
2010, under the Natural Areas Conservation
Program over 138,600 hectares (342,500 acres)
have been secured, protecting habitat for
over 79 species at risk.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
The Government of Canada
and the Nature Conservancy of Canada Celebrate
the Conservation of Valuable Habitat on
Vancouver Island in the Cowichan Valley
DUNCAN, B.C. -- June
22, 2010 -- James Lunney, Member of Parliament
for Nanaimo-Alberni, on behalf of Canada's
Environment Minister Jim Prentice, today
celebrated the Nature Conservancy of Canada's
successful acquisition of Chase Woods, 41-hectares
(101 acres) in the Cowichan Valley near
Duncan, British Columbia. This project was
secured in part with funding from Environment
Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program
and has an overall budget of $1.7M.
"Especially in
this International Year of Biodiversity,
I am pleased to see the Government of Canada's
partnering with the Nature Conservancy to
ensure the conservation of a prized ecological
treasure right here on Vancouver Island;
such projects are taking place through collaborative
efforts across Canada," said MP Lunney.
Suburban development,
invasive species, and timber harvesting
have been some of the key threats to the
ecological integrity of Chase Woods. This
property links a number of existing conservation
areas, creating a large and important passageway
for a number of species in the area. It
connects with the estuary at Cowichan Bay,
the Mount Tzuhalem Ecological Reserve and
is close to the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve.
Chase Woods nurtures
rare intact coastal Douglas-fir habitat,
centuries-old Western Yew, Garry Oak, Lodgepole
Pine and Arbutus trees. It provides habitat
for peregrine falcons, a federally listed
species at risk and is also home to the
Pacific tree frog, Great Blue Heron, bats,
and many rare plants, such as Farewell-to-spring
and California-tea. Coastal Douglas-fir
is one of the rarest ecosystems in British
Columbia. Less than one percent of Coastal
Douglas-fir forests are now left in the
world.
"This acquisition
marks another achievement under our government's
$225-million 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
Prentice. "Your actions, large or small,
will help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
"These Gifts to
Canadians are tangible examples of what
we are able to achieve by working together.
By designing and managing networks of protected
areas we fulfill our national and global
responsibility to protect Canada's natural
treasures for the future," said John
Lounds, President & CEO of the Nature
Conservancy of Canada. "What better
way to celebrate our nation than by protecting
the spectacular lands and wildlife that
our country is known for around the world."
The Government of Canada's
Natural Areas Conservation Program is an
important on-the-ground initiative that
takes action to preserve Canada's environment
and conserve its precious natural heritage.
It is through the ongoing contribution from
all donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of March
2010, under the Natural Areas Conservation
Program over 138,600 hectares (342,500 acres)
have been secured, protecting habitat for
over 79 species at risk.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government of Canada
Invests in Community Environmental Project
in Kelowna
Kelowna, B.C. - June
25, 2010 - Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament
for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of Canada's
Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim
Prentice, today announced funding from the
EcoAction Community Funding Program for
a new environmental project in Kelowna,
British Columbia. A total of $28,486 in
federal funding will support local action
to reduce water consumption.
"During this important
International Year of Biodiversity (IYB),
I am pleased that the federal government
is able to support worthwhile projects such
as the Xeriscape gardening project in the
Okanagan which will enhance public awareness
on gardening and water usage," said
MP Cannan. "This type of project directly
addresses environmental issues such as water
conservation which is championed during
IYB."
"We are proud to
support community groups in the Okanagan
as well as across British Columbia willing
to take concrete action through on-the-ground
environmental projects that will achieve
a more sustainable Canada. The Government
of Canada is committed to addressing the
environmental priorities of all Canadians,"
said Minister Prentice." Your actions,
large or small, will help to protect the
abundance and variety of life that is part
of our natural heritage."
Xeriscaping is landscaping
or gardening in ways that reduce the need
for supplemental irrigation and can help
reduce outdoor water use by 25 to 100 percent.
It is useful for areas that do have easy
access to water. The Okanagan Xeriscape
Association's (OXA) project will help raise
awareness of this alternative form of gardening
through a demonstration garden located in
Kelowna.
"Xeriscaping is
gardening with your natural environmental
conditions rather than fighting against
them," said Gwen Steele, President
of OXA. "With the support of Environment
Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program,
we will provide training in Xeriscaping
to local residents, garden clubs and businesses
interested in decreasing water use."
The EcoAction Community
Funding Program is a Government of Canada
initiative that supports projects that rehabilitate,
protect or enhance the natural environment,
and builds the capacity of communities and
individuals in support of a more sustainable
Canada. The project announced today will
assist a locally-based, non-profit organization
in initiating actions that could result
in reduced water consumption.
More information about
the EcoAction Community Funding Program
is available on Environment Canada's website
at the following address: www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government of Canada
and Nature Conservancy of Canada conserve
valuable habitat in Saskatchewan
SASKATOON, Sask. - June
25, 2010 - Kelly Block, Member of Parliament
for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, on behalf
of Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice,
today announced the Nature Conservancy of
Canada's successful acquisition of Asquith
North and Big Valley 3 and 4 - a total of
185 hectares (457 acres) of land in Saskatchewan.
This land was secured in part with funding
from Environment Canada's Natural Areas
Conservation Program (NACP) and has an overall
budget of $638,435.
"Funding from Environment
Canada is helping to secure this important
and ecologically-sensitive area. Through
conservation planning and habitat restoration,
future generations of Canadians will be
able to enjoy this prairie landscape,"
said MP Kelly Block for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar.
"The diversity of the habitat in these
areas helps species at risk that call Saskatchewan
home, such as the loggerhead shrike, northern
leopard frog and Sprague's pipit."
The Asquith North property
is located west of Saskatoon and boasts
diverse grassland and woodland habitats
that are home to a variety of mammals and
grassland birds including Sprague's pipit
and loggerhead shrike. The Big Valley 3
and 4 properties are located within the
Upper Qu'Appelle River Valley and is located
next to the already conserved Big Valley
2. This large continuous tract of protected
landscape is ideal for the reestablishment
of native grasses.
"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 Prentice.
"Your actions, large or small, will
help to protect the abundance and variety
of life that is part of our natural heritage."
"These Gifts to
Canadians are tangible examples of what
we are able to achieve by working together.
By designing and managing networks of protected
areas we fulfill our national and global
responsibility to protect Canada's natural
treasures for the future," said John
Lounds President & CEO of Nature Conservancy
of Canada. "What better way to celebrate
our nation than by protecting the spectacular
lands and wildlife that our country is known
for around the world?"
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.
It is through the ongoing contribution from
all donors that we can ensure the protection
of natural areas in Canada. As of March
2010, under the Natural Areas Conservation
Program over 138,600 hectares (342,500 acres)
have been secured, protecting habitat for
over 79 species at risk.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
