Government of Canada Partners With Nature Conservancy of Canada to Preserve Bayer's Island

MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR, NOVA SCOTIA, Jun 24 (MARKET
WIRE) --
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Defence and Minister of Atlantic
Gateway, on behalf of the Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Jim
Prentice, today joined representatives from the Nature Conservancy of
Canada to announce the future conservation of 31 hectares of important
land on Bayer's Island, located within Musqodoboit Harbour about 30
kilometres northeast of Halifax. The purchase marks another achievement
under the Government of Canada's $225-million Natural Areas Conservation
Program.

"The Government of Canada is proud of the results achieved through the
Natural Areas Conservation Program since its inception two years ago,
because they greatly benefit our country's biodiversity," said Minister
Prentice. "Prime Minister Harper announced the creation of a partnership
with non-government conservation organizations such as the Nature
Conservancy of Canada in 2007. Today, as part of this partnership, we
celebrate yet another important conservation project that will continue
to provide a vital home for species such as osprey, bald eagles and great
blue herons."

Situated off the eastern tip of Martinique Beach, Bayers Island is a
continuation of the Beach's tidal, cobble beach and dune habitat complex.
The Island's coastal forest of spruce and balsam fir is ideal for bird
species such as osprey, bald eagle and great blue heron, while its
surrounding mudflats and eelgrass beds support vast numbers of staging
waterfowl.

"Today's announcement is just one more example of how our Government is
taking real action to protect Canada's natural treasures with the help of
partners like the Nature Conservancy of Canada," said Minister MacKay.
"The lands of Bayer's Island will continue to provide a healthy habitat
where species can thrive."

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. Since its inception in 2007, the Program has allowed
the conservation of over 336 properties totalling 103 hectares,
protecting habitat for over 74 species at risk.

Egalement offert en francais

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 that 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.

As of March 2009, 336 properties had been acquired through the program,
protecting habitat for over 74 species at risk.

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 partners 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 two years for the work under the Species at Risk Act;

- $25 million over five years 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;

- Since 2007-2008 the Habitat Stewardship Program has invested $19
million to support over 350 local projects for the protection of species
at risk and their habitat;

- Environment 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
landowners 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.

The Natural Areas Conservation Program is an important on-the-ground
initiative that takes real action to preserve our environment. It is
expected to result in the long-term protection of up to more than 2,000
square kilometres of ecologically sensitive land across Canada.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Frederic Baril
Press Secretary
819-997-1441

Environment Canada
Media Relations
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008
www.ec.gc.ca

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