In
March 2007, as part of our commitment to
conserve and protect Canada's natural environment,
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced
the Government of Canada will invest $225
million in the new Natural Areas Conservation
Program. The Program helps non-profit, non-government
organizations secure ecologically sensitive
lands to ensure the protection of our diverse
ecosystems, wildlife, and habitat.
As of September 2008,
84 properties had been acquired through
the program, protecting habitat for 80 species
at risk.
In order to carry out
the objectives of the Program, the Government
of Canada entered into an agreement with
the Nature Conservancy of Canada. As part
of that agreement, the Nature Conservancy
of Canada will partner with non-government
conservation organizations such as Ducks
Unlimited Canada and other qualified land
trusts. These organizations must provide
matching funds for each federal dollar received.
Using a science-based
process, the Nature Conservancy of Canada
and its partners work to acquire ecologically
sensitive lands through donation, purchase
or stewardship agreements with private landowners.
Under the Program, priority
is given to lands that are nationally or
provincially significant, that protect habitat
for species at risk and migratory birds,
or that enhance connectivity or corridors
between existing protected areas such as
National Wildlife Areas, National Parks
and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.
The Natural Areas Conservation
Program complements the Government's other
important conservation initiatives and investments,
including:
$110 million over 2
years for the work under the Species at
Risk Act;
$15 million over 3 years for the Northwest
Territories Protected Areas Strategy;
$30 million for the Great Bear Rainforest;
$3 million for Stanley Park in Vancouver
and Point Pleasant Park in Halifax;
the Habitat Stewardship Program, which has
invested $19M for the last two years to
support over 350 local projects for the
protection of species at risk and their
habitat;
Government of Canada's Protected Areas Network,
made up of 51 National Wildlife Areas and
92 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries; and
the Ecological Gifts Program, which provides
tax incentives to land owners who donate
land title or place a conservation easement
on ecologically sensitive land. In its May
2006 budget, the Government of Canada increased
the incentive for land donations by reducing
the taxable capital gains inclusion rate
for certified ecological gift donations
from 25 per cent to zero.
The Natural Areas Conservation Program is
an important on-the-ground initiative that
takes real action to preserve our environment.
It is expected to result in the long-term
protection of up to more than 2,000 square
kilometres of ecologically sensitive land
across Canada.
+ More
Canada's Government
Takes Further Action to Protect Important
Ranch Lands in British Columbia
Kamloops -- November
21, 2008 -- Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament
for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, on behalf
of the Minister of the Environment, the
Honourable Jim Prentice, today joined representatives
from the Nature Conservancy of Canada in
announcing the successful conservation of
31 square kilometres of important land on
the Frolek Ranch, in British Columbia's
Thompson-Nicola valley.
" Today's announcement
is a great example of what we can accomplish
when we work together," said Minister
Prentice. " We are proud to play a
part in conserving these important grasslands,
which can provide a home for species at
risk such as the American Badger and the
Burrowing Owl."
The Frolek Ranch landscape
includes small lakes, ponds and wetlands,
and an important range of grassland ecosystems
that provide habitat for waterfowl and other
wildlife. Many species are associated with
these habitats, including the Western Meadowlark
bird, the Great Basin Spadefoot toad and
the Okanagan Fameflower.
"Today's announcement
shows our Government's commitment to conserving
and protecting our environment for the benefit
of all Canadians," said Mrs. McLeod.
"The lands of Frolek Ranch will continue
to provide a healthy habitat where species
can thrive and survive."
The Government's Natural
Areas Conservation Program is 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. As of
September 2008, 84 properties had been acquired
coast to coast, resulting in the protection
of habitat for 80 species at risk.
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
