Canada invests to expand Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Park in Halifax
News release
April 24, 2019 – Halifax, Nova Scotia
It’s in our nature to conserve our land and water, protect our wildlife, and save the places we love. But the world’s nature is in decline, with wilderness disappearing at a rapid rate and wildlife populations falling by 60 percent since 1970. That’s why Canada is taking action, including by making the single-largest investment to protect nature in Canadian history, through Budget 2018, and aiming to double the amount of nature protected across Canada.
Today, the Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour, Darren Fisher, announced that the Government of Canada has invested $860,000 to expand the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Park in Halifax.
The project, led by the Halifax Regional Municipality, secured 135 hectares of important natural areas close to the urban centre. The new protected area, which connects with existing provincial crown parklands, helps provide permanent protection for a unique mix of natural forest stands, lakes, streams, and wetlands. Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Park helps to protect urban wild spaces while offering greater opportunity for residents to connect with nature.
The new protection will contribute toward Canada’s goal of doubling the amount of nature protected in our lands and oceans.
The announcement comes as Canada is set to host an international summit with nature champions from around the world—on April 24 and 25, in Montréal—to ramp up collaboration and increase ambition for protecting the world’s nature.
Quotes
“The work of communities like the Halifax Regional Municipality is a great example of the leadership and collaboration needed to protect more of Canada’s nature. By working together, we can double the amount of nature we’re protecting from coast to coast to coast. This special place in Halifax will be preserved for Canadians now and for future generations.”
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“As a former municipal councillor and as a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, I recognize the opportunity we have to work with other orders of government to protect Canada’s natural spaces. Securing the land for the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I am proud that the Government of Canada is working with the Halifax Regional Municipality to make it happen.”
– Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament, Dartmouth–Cole Harbour
Quick facts
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From April 24 to 25, 2019, Canada will be hosting the Nature Champions Summit, in Montréal. Nature champions from all walks of life, including major philanthropists, business leaders, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, Indigenous leaders, and environment ministers from around the world will be coming together to build a high-ambition coalition and drive global nature protection forward.
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The new $500 million Canada Nature Fund will be matched by partners who will contribute an additional $500 million to raise at least $1 billion toward the conservation of Canada’s nature.
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The Canada Nature Fund supports the protection of Canada’s ecosystems, landscapes, biodiversity, and species at risk.
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The Government of Canada is committed to doubling the amount of protected nature in our lands and waters across Canada.
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Globally, Canada has 20 percent of freshwater resources, 24 percent of wetlands, 25 percent of temperate rainforest area, and 33 percent of remaining boreal forest.
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Contacts
Sabrina Kim
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-743-7138
sabrina.kim2@canada.ca
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Twitter page
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Facebook page
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