Charlottetown recognized for stewardship of wellfield sites January 30, 2026

 Conserved areas help clean and store drinking water

Charlottetown, PEI (January 30, 2026) – The City of Charlottetown, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), has successfully protected 265 hectares of municipal wellfield sites under the Government of Canada’s other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) conservation recognition.

The OECM distinction is reserved for lands and waters that are managed to achieve long-term conservation of biodiversity, but are not designated as traditional protected areas or parks. The Brackley, Union, Miltonvale and Suffolk wellfield sites not only supply the City’s municipal public water system, but also support important natural diversity and wildlife habitats.

Protected natural areas are good for people and the environment in many ways. Natural assets support wildlife, enhance carbon storage, maintain water quality and act as a safety net for biodiversity. The OECM designation helps strengthen these crucial assets and advances the work of the City’s Climate Action Plan.

The province of P.E.I. has approved the city’s application for OECM designation. As a result, a total of 265 hectares will now contribute to the province’s target of protecting seven per cent of the total land base on the island. The lands will also contribute to the Government of Canada’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of land, water and marine areas by 2030.

This project involved significant contributions from NCC, with funding support through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund. Through this partnership, the wellfield sites will be managed to enhance their biodiversity and protect several rare species that call the lands home, including the ruby-crowned kinglet, rusty blackbird and northern white cedar.

 Quotes:

“This designation speaks to the excellent management of our wellfield sites by dedicated staff and partners, including the Winter River Tracadie Bay Watershed Association and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The City, through our Climate Action Plan, is committed to sustainably managing the natural areas within the wellfields to not only protect our water source but also to support conservation on the island.” – Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlottetown

“Through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is making progress toward its goal of conserving 30 per cent of land and water by 2030. By working with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we are recognizing well-managed municipal lands, like the City of Charlottetown’s wellfield sites, as vital contributors to biodiversity and climate resilience. The conserved area will help protect wildlife habitats while supporting groundwater retention. Together, we are building a legacy of conservation that benefits communities and future generations.” – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Municipal lands like Charlottetown’s wellfield sites play a vital role in protecting biodiversity and building climate resilience. With support from the Natural Heritage Conservation Program and in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, these sites have now been recognized as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures. This designation helps safeguard groundwater and wildlife habitat and is helping to address the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale and long-term conservation. It’s a meaningful step toward halting nature loss and strengthening conservation efforts across the country.” – The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)

“We are working hard to protect P.E.I.’s land and we have increased our protected area by 25 per cent since the summer of 2019, adding 5,666 hectares. We want to protect the right lands with the right tools and that requires collaboration with partners like we see in this great project with the federal government, municipality and this well-respected non-profit organization.”– Gilles Arsenault, Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action

“We are thrilled at this innovative teamwork. At NCC, our goal is to support resilient landscapes and unlock solutions to support national and international biodiversity goals. Our whole-of-society approach includes working with the Government of Canada and our municipal partners; it is rewarding to see the City’s excellent stewardship of their wellfield lands recognized and hopefully inspire their continued management for conservation.” – Lanna Campbell, NCC Program Director in P.E.I.

About

Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has brought people together to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all. As an environmental charity working hand in hand with communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and businesses, we deliver nature-based solutions at a scale no one else can. Our conservation work safeguards clean air and water, stores carbon and reduces the risks of floods and wildfires — protecting our health, strengthening local economies and building more resilient communities. Together, we unlock nature’s power, so life can thrive. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca.

The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested $500 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $1 billion in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community leading to the protection and conservation of over 830,000 hectares (2 million acres) of ecologically sensitive lands.

Charlottetown, the capital of Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island, is a growing coastal city of approximately 48,700 residents and is famously known as the “Birthplace of Confederation” for hosting the 1864 Charlottetown Conference. The city sits on lands occupied by the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq for over 12,000 years and today reflects a diverse, multicultural population shaped by Indigenous history and later English, Scottish, Irish, and Acadian settlement. As the Island’s economic and cultural hub, Charlottetown’s economy is anchored by the public sector, tourism, and retail, and supports global companies and fast-growing sectors such as bioscience and ICT, as well as advanced manufacturing and food processing. A vibrant tourism destination welcoming more than 1.6 million visitors annually, the city offers a lively arts and culture scene, year-round festivals, and is a premier event host city. With historic Victorian architecture, a bustling waterfront, renowned local dining, and a safe, walkable environment, Charlottetown is widely recognized for its high quality of life, strong community connections, affordability, and appeal as a place to live, work, and invest. Learn more at charlottetown.ca.

To learn more about the city’s efforts to protect wellfield sites and other natural assets, please visit its website.

Contacts
Andrew Herygers, Communications Manager
Nature Conservancy of Canada
andrew.herygers@natureconservancy.ca
902-880-8108

Jessica Bradley, Communications Officer
City of Charlottetown
jbradley@charlottetown.ca
902-388-7799