REGINA, Sask. -- June 21, 2011 -- Canada's Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of Fairy Hill South - 543 hectares of land near Regina, Saskatchewan. 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."
Fairy Hill South is a significant property that includes a wide variety of habitat types. It consists of native grasslands, woodlands and river and flood plains that are home to many aquatic and terrestrial species and provide an important staging area for migratory ducks, geese and shorebirds.
"The Saskatchewan Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada works closely with community residents, stakeholders and governments in efforts that achieve conservation of ecologically-significant areas such as this," said Carmen Leibel, Regional Vice President of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Saskatchewan Region. "Our work at Fairy Hill culminates today in the acquisition of 543 hectares of native prairie and lowlands and stands as a tribute to the dedication of our partners and contributors."
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.
Natural Areas Conservation Program [Backgrounder 2011-06-20]
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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