News Release

Government of Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada partner to conserve valuable habitat in Queens and Kings Counties, Prince Edward Island

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. -- February 22, 2012 -- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Minister of the Environment, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of two properties off the coast of Prince Edward Island--the 34-hectare Governors Island, in the Hillsborough Bay area, and the 12-hectare Reynolds Island, located south of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island. These projects were secured in part with funding from Environment Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program.

“The two properties that have been acquired--Governors Island and Reynolds Island--will be an important part of our pursuit of the preservation and protection of our Island's biodiversity,” said Minister Shea. “Each island remains untouched, and we know that undeveloped coastal islands provide important refuges for wildlife. Prince Edward Island has very few undeveloped coastal islands, making the acquisition of these rare and precious commodities a victory for Island conservation efforts.”

“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.”

Governors Island, located approximately seven kilometres from Stratford, Prince Edward Island, is primarily wooded, with wetland areas and provides excellent habitat for one of PEI’s largest Great Blue Heron colonies. Much of the island is dominated by steep banks, except for the extensive sand spit on the island's eastern tip. The shallow water surrounding the island provides ideal feeding areas for herons and waterfowl.

The Reynolds Island property, located in Kings County, features salt marshes and surrounding waters which create ideal stopping and feeding grounds for various migratory birds, such as the tern, gull, heron and several species of waterfowl. Harbour seals frequent the sand spit in the northeast of the island and waterfowl use the marshes along the island's coasts.

“We want to thank the Government of Canada and our other funding partners for working together in achieving these significant acquisitions,” said Linda Stephenson, Atlantic Regional Vice President for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “These off-shore islands have been a target for protection by conservation groups since the early 1970s and are necessary for the movement of certain colonies of birds and for shallow water feeding sites.”

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 the protection of natural areas in Canada can be ensured. As of December 2011, the Natural Areas Conservation Program has protected 327,757 hectares of habitat, which includes habitat for 117 species at risk.

Related document:

Natural Areas Conservation Program [Backgrounder 2012-02-23]

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

Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

Environment Canada’s Twitter page: http://twitter.com/environmentca

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