CALGARY, Alb. -- June 27, 2011 -- Canada's Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of the Chinook Ranch - 1,056 hectares of land near High River, Alberta. 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."
The Chinook Ranch is situated within the Bow Natural Area, on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The property consists of primarily native vegetation and includes a variety of habitat types such as wetlands, riparian areas, scrublands and native fescue grasslands. The conservation of this property expands the wildlife corridor that links Kananaskis Country with the Bow Natural Area.
"Our Government of Canada is committed to the long-term conservation of biological diversity and to working with partners, such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to protect Canada's natural treasures," said the Honourable Menzies, Canada's Minister of State (Finance). "The Chinook Ranch property represents an ecologically significant area that is home to many iconic species including red-tailed hawk, cougar and grizzly bear."
"The heritage of stewardship by the Hughes Family for over 50 years of Chinook Ranch is a demonstration of their deep connection to the land. Through the conservation easement donated by the Hughes Family and through the financial support of the Government of Canada and other supporters the conservation of this spectacular property will ensure that it remains this way for generations to come," said Bob Demulder, Regional Vice President of the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Alberta Region.
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 101species 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
Environment Canada's Twitter page: http://twitter.com/environmentca
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