Nature Conservancy of Canada expands PEI conservation area
Two land purchases result in more salt marsh, forest protected at Percival River
Significant pieces of a conservation puzzle have been filled in at an important wildlife area in Prince Edward Island.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has announced it has finalized the purchase of two sites along the Percival River in North Enmore. The properties total 68 hectares and include salt marsh, freshwater wetland and forest. One of the sites is beautifully situated at the mouth of Percival Bay.
The largest unbroken tract of salt marsh in PEI is located along the Percival River, which is one of the most intact wildlife and habitat corridors in the province. The Percival River area is vitally important for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and seabirds. The river feeds into Egmont Bay and the Northumberland Strait.
A wide diversity of species use these properties, including pileated woodpecker, great blue heron, willet and osprey. The forest has a mix of black spruce, red maple and balsam fir trees.
These are strategic land purchases for the charitable land trust, as they border other sites NCC owns and cares for. One gentleman was inspired to conserve his property after his brother entrusted his property the previous year. NCC has been working in the Percival River area since 2008. Its Percival River nature reserve now consists of 11 properties and 368 hectares. This complements the work of other conservation groups in the area, along with the Government of Prince Edward Island.
These conservation projects were made possible by the generosity of individuals and private donors. Funding also came from the Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
These projects showcase how NCC is accelerating the pace of conservation in Canada. In the past two years alone, NCC has influenced the protection of more than 1 million hectares (almost twice the size of Prince Edward Island), coast to coast to coast. Over the next few years, the organization will double its impact by mobilizing Canadians and delivering permanent, large-scale conservation.
In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Quotes
“The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are two sides of the same coin, and we must tackle them together. By working with partners such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we are helping to protect the natural environment in Prince Edward Island and across the country and building a healthier and more resilient future for our children and grandchildren. Programs like the Canada Nature Fund’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program are helping us progress toward conserving a quarter of lands and oceans in Canada by 2025.”
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Congratulations to the Nature Conservancy of Canada on its conservation achievement. With help from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we can preserve our natural heritage for generations to come.”
– Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont
"It is exciting to see the momentum build for conservation in this magical corner of the Island. Together with our conservation partners, the total protected area in the Percival River area is about 870 hectares. We can do this work because of the generosity and support of individuals, landowners and donors. The Percival River area has an impressive, intact salt marsh, which not only stabilizes and protects the shoreline, it also contributes to marine and coastal food webs.”
– Lanna Campbell, PEI program director, Nature Conservancy of Canada
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 Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. This includes 2,583 hectares NCC has helped conserve in Prince Edward Island.
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique public-private partnership to support new protected and conserved areas by securing private lands and private interests in lands. The program is managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Federal funds invested in the program come from the Canada Nature Fund and are matched with contributions raised by NCC and its partners, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community.
NCC is a registered charity. With nature we build a thriving world.
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