Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s successful acquisition of two privately held properties totalling 148 hectares of land near Shelburne, Nova Scotia. These properties were secured in part with funding from Environment Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program.
“Today’s announcement shows our government’s commitment to conserving our environment for the benefit of all Canadians,” said MP Keddy. “The conservation of this south western area of Nova Scotia will continue to provide a healthy habitat where many species can thrive and survive.”
The J&J Cox Limited properties are located along the Scotian South Shore within the Bowers Meadows Wilderness Area and provide habitat for nesting migratory waterfowl such as the American Black Duck, as well as for the American Black Bear, Bobcat and Coyote.
The coastline of this area consists of freshwater wetlands, beaches and dunes, salt marshes, bogs and tidal flats that provide an ideal habitat for migratory birds such as Canada Geese and the Green-winged Teal. The Common Eider and the Double-crested Cormorant also nest here. The Scotian South Shore also supports the endangered Piping Plover and the vulnerable Rose Coreopsis.
“This acquisition marks another achievement under our government’s Natural Areas Conservation Program,” said Minister Kent. “We continue to take real action across Canada to protect our ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations. Your actions today will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that will constitute our natural heritage tomorrow.”
“The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is pleased to work collaboratively with the Government of Canada and the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust to get positive environmental results in this province,” said Craig Smith, NCC Program Manager for Nova Scotia. “Together, we are protecting vulnerable species and habitat while, at the same time, preventing increased development and timber wood harvesting in this sensitive ecological area.”
The Government of Canada’s $225-million Natural Areas Conservation Program and ongoing contributions from donors 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.
Natural Areas Conservation Program [Backgrounder 2011-09-26]
