McGuinty Government invests in healthier environment

MNR News Release

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Two thousand hectares of ecologically significant land has been protected thanks to partnerships between Ontario and conservation groups. The province has invested $5 million this year to protect private land worth more than $17 million.

The ministry works with partners to protect vital habitat on private land through purchase, donation or agreement. By providing support that partners must at least match, the province ensures public funds save as much private land as possible in key natural areas. Partnerships also make the most of the knowledge and fund-raising skills of conservation groups.

Ontario supports the efforts of almost 100 groups to protect land. The province's primary partners play a major role in securing land and make provincial funding available to other groups. The primary partners are:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Ducks Unlimited Canada
The Ontario Land Trust Alliance

QUOTES

“I want to protect natural areas such as wetlands, forests and sand dunes because they help us fight climate change, protect threatened animals and plants, and keep the environment healthy,” said Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield.

“This dynamic partnership has allowed NCC to do what we do best – work directly with private landowners to build a network of protected areas that conserve unique and rare habitat across the province,” said James Duncan of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

“By working with Ontario and other conservation partners to provide a future for wetlands and other wild areas, we are able to showcase the incredible range of environmental benefits these important habitats provide,” said Ron Maher of Ducks Unlimited Canada.

“MNR is helping land trusts act locally now so we all benefit in future. Saving the land we love now will lead to a healthy environment our grandchildren will enjoy,” said April Weppler, Chair of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.

QUICK FACTS

Ontario's $50 million of funding over the last 10 years has helped protect almost 40,000 hectares of land worth $100 million.

Some of the lands secured through partnerships since April 2007 that include habitat for species at risk are:

Paradise Island off the north shore of Lake Superior
Coveney's Hill on the Bruce Peninsula
Point Abino Peninsula near Fort Erie.

LEARN MORE

More information on how Ontario helps protect natural areas. [link to backgrounder]

Want to get involved in responsible land care? Check out Ontario Stewardship and its community councils.

Find out what Ontario is doing to fight climate change – and how you can help.

Discover how the Bruce Trail Conservancy is protecting land on the Niagara Escarpment.

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