News Release

The Government of Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada Conserve Valuable Habitat on Lake Superior

WOODBRIDGE, Ont. -- September 26, 2009 -- On behalf of Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice, Peter Kent, Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Americas), today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of 4,729 acres of land at Wilson Island.  The land was secured in part with funding from Environment Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program.  The total project cost was$ 7,401,285.  The purchase marks another achievement under the Government of Canada's $225-million Natural Areas Conservation Program.

" With our investment of $225 million in the Natural Areas Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is taking real action to protect and conserve our ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations," said Minister Kent.  "Wilson Island is home to rare coastal wetlands and forests, bedrock shoreline, and globally rare sand beaches.  We are committed to the long-term conservation of biological diversity and to working with partners such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada and others to protect Canada's natural treasures."

WilsonIslandgroup is a cluster of eight islands. Wilson is by far the largest island, and has north-facing cliffs on water and land, canyons, raised basalt beaches and an unexplored interior.  These qualities provide suitable habitat for peregrine falcons and bald eagles.  The cool marine climate supports a number of arctic-alpine species and vegetation communities particular to this region.  Wilson Island's coves, coldwater beaches and rare coastal wetlands provide essential habitat for lake trout and whitefish.

"The Natural Areas Conservation Program represents an investment that will help to ensure a healthy future for habitats and species at risk," said Minister Prentice. "Such programs demonstrate the importance and productive relationship between the Government of Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and other partners working to conserve and protect the environment and wildlife."  

"The Wilson Island group presented an unmatched opportunity to protect large scale, ecologically significant and relatively untouched habitat," remarked the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Chris Maher, Regional Vice-President, Ontario. "This project has been on the conservation community's wish list for many years, and the joint effort to protect this island group has been crucial to its success."

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 March 2009, under the Natural Areas Conservation Program more than 336 properties totaling more than 256,150 acres (103,660 hectares) had been acquired, protecting habitat for over 74 species at risk.  

Related documents:
Natural Areas Conservation Program [Backgrounder 2009-09-26]

For more information, please contact:

Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Environment Canada
Media Relations
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008