Government Takes Action to Protect Land in British Columbia: Conservation Area Almost Five Times the Size of Vancouver

Market Wire, July, 2008

Canada's Environment Minister John Baird, Member of Parliament for Kootenay - Columbia Jim Abbott and representatives from the Nature Conservancy of Canada today jointly announced that more than 550 square kilometres of ecologically significant land will be conserved near Creston, British Columbia, including important habitat for local species and species at risk.

"This is truly an incredible property both in size and value, covering an area nearly 140 times the size of Stanley Park," said Minister Baird. "We're proud to play a part in this moment and of the success of the Natural Areas Conservation Program. Over the last year, our pledge of $225 million to the Program has helped to conserve habitat for 59 species at risk in over 71 properties, and there's more to come."

Located in the South Selkirks region of B.C., the property, known as Darkwoods, includes high ridges, mountains, valleys and trenches, as well as wetlands that host over 100,000 migratory birds and 265 bird species. The property offers an important passageway, connecting existing conserved areas and bringing the total conserved land in that location to 1,030 square kilometres or an area almost nine times the size of Vancouver. This is especially significant for wide-ranging species such as the Grizzly and the threatened Southern Mountain population of the Woodland Caribou.

"Conserving precious habitat like this is one of the best ways to help our ecosystems and species thrive and survive," said MP Jim Abbott. "By conserving this important area in British Columbia, the Government of Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada are providing important space for species at risk, including our own woodland caribou, and a number of species and plants that may otherwise become threatened."

A portion of the Darkwoods property was donated through the Government of Canada's Ecological Gifts Program. Through income tax incentives, the Ecological Gifts Program encourages donations of ecologically sensitive lands and interests in those lands across Canada, ensuring a natural legacy for future generations.

The 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. The program is expected to result in the long-term protection of more than 2,000 square kilometres of ecologically sensitive land across Canada.

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BACKGROUNDER

Natural Areas Conservation Program

In March 2007, as part of our commitment to conserve and protect Canada's natural environment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Government of Canada will invest $225 million in the new Natural Areas Conservation Program. The Program helps non-profit, non-government organizations secure ecologically sensitive lands to ensure the protection of our diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and habitat.

To date, 71 properties have been acquired through the program, resulting in the conservation of more than 640 square kilometres - or an area nearly six times the size of Vancouver - and protecting habitat for 59 species at risk.

In order to carry out the objectives of the Program, the Government of Canada entered into an agreement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. As part of that agreement, the Nature Conservancy of Canada will partner with non-government conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada and other qualified land trusts. These organizations must provide matching funds for each federal dollar received.

Using a science-based process, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and its partners work to acquire ecologically sensitive lands through donation, purchase or stewardship agreements with private landowners.

Under the Program, priority is given to lands that are nationally or provincially significant, that protect habitat for species at risk and migratory birds, or that enhance connectivity or corridors between existing protected areas such as National Wildlife Areas, National Parks and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.

The Natural Areas Conservation Program complements the Government's other important conservation initiatives and investments, including:

- $110 million over 2 years for the work under the Species at Risk Act;

- $15 million for the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy;

- $30 million for the Great Bear Rainforest;

- $3 million for Stanley Park in Vancouver and Point Pleasant Park in Halifax;

- the Habitat Stewardship Program, which has invested $19M for the last two years to support over 350 local projects for the protection of species at risk and their habitat;

- Government of Canada's Protected Areas Network, made up of 51 National Wildlife Areas and 92 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries; and

- the Ecological Gifts Program, which provides tax incentives to land owners who donate land title or place a conservation easement on ecologically sensitive land. In its May 2006 budget, the Government of Canada increased the incentive for land donations by reducing the taxable capital gains inclusion rate for certified ecological gift donations from 25 per cent to zero.