News Release

Government of Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada conserve valuable habitat in Prince County, Prince Edward Island

ALBERTON, P.E.I. -- June 22, 2011 -- Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of 22 hectares of land on the Conway Sand Hills – near the Town of Alberton, Prince County, Prince Edward Island. 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.”

This property is part of the Prince Edward Island Coast and Forest Natural Area and the Conway Sand Hills which is a 300 hectares sand dune and wetlands system found off the north shore of Prince County. The off-shore islands and sandy beaches found here contain the most secluded nesting areas in the province and are therefore ecologically rich and critical to the lifecycle of many populations of waterfowl and shorebirds. Species that are able to nest in this area include the Common Tern, Great Blue Heron and Osprey, as well as the endangered Piping Plover. Many other species of shorebirds also use this area for feeding during migration, and the adjacent Conway Narrows is a body of salt water that is a major feeding area for migrating waterfowl.

“The Conway Sand Hills are the Island’s wilderness,” said Linda Stephenson, Regional Vice President for the Atlantic Region with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “They are extremely important for conservation of sand dunes and salt marshes as well as the wildlife which thrives there.” Since 1984 the Nature Conservancy has assisted in the conservation of about 1,700 hectares in Prince Edward Island.

The Government of Canada's $225-million 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. It is through the ongoing contribution from all donors that we can ensure the protection of natural areas in Canada. As of December 2010, the Natural Areas Conservation Program has protected 151,278 hectares of habitat, which includes habitat for 101 species at risk.

Related Document:

Natural Areas Conservation Program [Backgrounder 2011-06-22]

For more information, please see the attached backgrounder or contact:

Melissa Lantsman
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441 

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

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