Government of Canada Partners With Nature Conservancy of Canada to Preserve Bohomolec Ranch

COLEMAN, ALBERTA, Jun 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
Rick Casson, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, 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 64.7 hectares of important land at the Bohomolec
Ranch, in the foothills of southern Alberta. 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 the grizzly bear, grey wolf,
cougar and Canada lynx."

"The Bohomolec Ranch property features one of Alberta's only outcroppings
of volcanic rock that formed within the province - the Iron Ridge. The
Ridge provides a unique habitat that allows for the occurrence of rare
plants not found elsewhere in the province," said Ted Menzies, Member of
Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Finance. Over 20 bird species have been observed on the property including
pileated woodpecker, Clark's nutcracker and the threatened peregrine
falcon.

"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 Member of Parliament
Rick Casson. "The Bohomolec Ranch 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.

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.

Egalement offert en francais

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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