Accelerating the pace of land conservation in Atlantic Canada
Nature Conservancy of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada join forces in support for nature
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is hoping to continue its momentum in Atlantic Canada by expanding several nature reserves and creating new ones. It is putting out a call to the region’s private landowners to explore conservation options through selling or donating healthy, intact forests, wetlands and shoreline properties. The charity is also encouraging the region’s business community and foundations to help them accomplish more land protection.
The remarks were made at a media availability involving NCC staff and Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton on behalf of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC) Minister Steven Guilbeault. They visited a property that was donated to NCC located next to the Lincoln Elementary School which children and community enjoy.
Funding from individuals, businesses and foundations along with land donations can be matched with funds from the Government of Canada, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program.
Some recent conservation successes in the region through this program include:
• Protection of 90 hectares of wetland and mature floodplain forest along the west side of Grand Lake, New Brunswick.
• Conserving 361 hectares of forest and shoreline habitat at Clyde River near Shelburne, Nova Scotia.
• Protection of 29 hectares of boreal forest and riverfront in the Grand Codroy River Valley in Doyles, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Protection of 28 hectares of forest to expand the Haldimand River Nature Reserve in Western Prince Edward Island.
Since 2007, ECCC’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program has supported 269 projects by NCC in the Atlantic Provinces, helping conserve 18,062 hectares (44,632 acres) of forest, wetland and shoreline habitats. Across the country, the NHCP has helped deliver over 2,200 conservation areas in more than 350 municipalities.
Quotes
“We all have a role to play to help create healthy, resilient communities. We appreciate the continued partnership of the Government of Canada and we extend a hand to landowners and businesses to get involved. Greater investment in nature by all sectors of society benefit the region by helping create better connected, more resilient landscapes. Our forests, wetlands and shorelines clean our air and water and provide adaptation measures to protect against drought and flooding. They also boost local economies and create jobs by providing spaces for activities like hiking and ecotourism.”
Paula Noel – Nature Conservancy of Canada, Director of Conservation in Atlantic Canada
“The Natural Heritage Conservation Program is achieving extraordinary results for habitat conservation by mobilizing everyone for the sake of nature. The Government of Canada is pleased to support the work of the Nature Conservancy of Canada here in New Brunswick and throughout the country. This partnership, in collaboration with private landowners and matching funders, has achieved 269 conservation projects in Atlantic Canada by NCC which contribute directly to our country’s biodiversity strategy. Together we are investing in the protection of lands and waters that are critical to nature and wildlife, key to addressing the impacts of climate change while also creating more natural spaces in communities for people to use and enjoy.”
- Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton
“Hats off to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for ramping up its efforts to expand and create new nature reserves in Atlantic Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program and the Ecological Gifts Program. Biodiversity conservation is everyone’s business, and I encourage individuals, businesses, industry sectors, and foundations to support these critical conservation efforts. Protecting nature is one of our strongest allies in stopping the affects of biodiversity loss and climate change. Together, using a whole-of-society approach, we can conserve 30 percent of land and water in Canada by 2030.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Current opportunities to learn about and support NCC’s conservation projects include:
• The Wolastoq (Saint John) River in New Brunswick, the largest watershed in Atlantic Canada, and one of the region's most ecologically significant areas. The permanent protection of the watershed’s lands and forests will help improve water storage capacity and protect communities from seasonal flooding.
• The Grand Codroy River Valley in southwestern Newfoundland features rich wetlands and a thriving estuary that provides crucial habitat for rare bird species and diverse plant life. The natural area is recognized as an internationally important wetland and nationally under Canada’s Important Bird Areas Program.
• The Port Joli and Port L'Hebert peninsulas in western Nova Scotia have an impressive array of coastal habitats. From sandy beaches, vast intertidal salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and the Wabanaki (Acadian) forest, all of which provide significant ecological value and homes for wildlife.
• The Percival River area on Prince Edward Island’s southwestern shore has coastal salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and mixed forests that serve as a key wildlife corridor for many species
EDITOR’S NOTE – to assist with stories, here are images of some NCC conservation areas
Photos - https://we.tl/t-NNJS5ZdyWk
Video - https://we.tl/t-B52TUCPPaX
About
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner, NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
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 840,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.
Learn More
Follow us on on X (formerly Twitter): x.com/NCC_CNC | x.com/NCC_CNCMedia
Find us on Facebook
- 30 -
