Environment Canada: Atlantic Region News Releases

CHARLOTTETOWN, September 13, 2005 – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay announced today that a contribution of $300 000 will be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to assist in the purchase of land on Boughton Island, PEI and preserve the land for wildlife. The announcement was made on behalf of Environment Minister Stéphane Dion.

The Government of Canada contribution, combined with an additional $300 000 contributed by the Government of Prince Edward Island and privately-raised funds, will help complete the $2.3 million fundraising campaign undertaken by the Nature Conservancy of Canada to purchase the privately owned lands.

“I am very pleased that the Government of Canada is participating in the efforts to protect Boughton Island and ensure it remains in its natural state. This is part of the Government of Canada’s approach under Project Green to conserve biodiversity and maintain nationally significant habitat,” said Mr. MacAulay.  “It is critical that we all help make sure that the ecological integrity of national treasures like Boughton Island is protected for future generations of Canadians.”

”The conservation of species and habitat is important to all of us because a healthy environment is essential to Canada’s long-term economic well-being,” said Mr. MacAulay. “We commend the Nature Conservancy of Canada and theProvinceof Prince Edward Islandfor their remarkable efforts in mobilizing the resources required to ensure thatBoughtonIslandis protected and designated a conservation area.”

Boughton Island, at approximately 243 hectares or 600 acres, is the largest undisturbed island and third largest island overall, off the coast of Prince Edward Island.  The island is host to one of the largest great blue heron colonies on PEI and provides a breeding ground for endangered piping plovers.  A number of waterfowl species use the ponds and osprey fish the productive coastal waters. The dune system contains species such as marram grass, wormwood and beach pea, and is used extensively by common terns.

Title to the entireBoughtonIslandwill ultimately rest with the Province of PEI which will designate theIslandas a Natural Area protected under PEI’s Natural Areas Protection Act.

The Government of Canada is committed to private and public land conservation initiatives through a variety of partnerships with provincial and non-governmental organizations and with private land owners. To further support private land conservation projects, Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides enhanced tax benefits to donors of ecologically-sensitive lands. To date, 32 donations covering over 26 square kilometres and worth $3,000,000 have been made to conservation organizations in Atlantic Canada.

Project Green is a set of policies and programs aimed at supporting a sustainable environment, healthy population and competitive economy. It addresses environmental initiatives for the 21^st century including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve our biodiversity, protect our water, clean up contaminated sites and ensure cleaner and healthier air. Through Project Green’s policies and programs, Canada can set an international example by developing effective model solutions for the long-term health of the planet.

For further information, please contact:

André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441