Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s successful acquisition of the McClennan property – 220 hectares of land in the Township of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. This project was secured in part with funding from Environment Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program.

“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 an integral part of our natural heritage tomorrow.”

The Northern Bruce Peninsula Natural Area is the second highest ranking area in the Great Lakes Eco-region of Ontario for global biodiversity values. It is home to many rare vegetation communities and several significant ecological systems such as alvars, wetlands, and limestone plain forests.

“This piece of property will be a great compliment to the Bruce Peninsula’s national park,” commented MP Miller. “This will help to preserve the area for all of us to enjoy for years to come.”

The McClennan property contains wetland, forest and shoreline habitats, and supports at-risk and globally rare species such as Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and Hill’s Thistle. The property is adjacent to Gauley Bay where large aggregations of waterfowl, such as Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck, are common during migration.

“This project on the Northern Bruce Peninsula is the result of incredible partnerships with public and private partners, as well as passionate individuals,” said Chris Maher, Ontario Regional Vice President for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “Together we are building an incredible conservation legacy that our grandchildren will surely thank us for.”

The Government of Canada’s $225-million Natural Areas Conservation Programis 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 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.