The McGuinty government is protecting ecologically-significant lands by investing in a partnership that identifies and secures natural heritage areas on private lands, Natural Resources minister David Ramsay announced late last month.
“Ontario’s partnership agreements with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance have already resulted in the permanent protection of some of the province’s most ecologically-significant areas,” noted Ramsay.
“This work complements our government’s Greenbelt plan, which protects agricultural and environmentally-sensitive land around the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and the updated Endangered Species Act, which further protects our province’s biodiversity,” he added.
The government will invest more than $5 million in 2007-08 to protect the province’s biodiversity and green spaces through:
•Nature Conservancy of Canada—more than $3.9 million to secure properties, expand existing provincial parks, protect and enhance wetlands, and maintain a healthy Great Lakes basin ecosystem;
•Ducks Unlimited Canada—$770,000 to protect and enhance wetlands and maintain a healthy Great Lakes basin ecosystem; and
•Ontario Land Trust Alliance—$180,000 to help land trusts with the costs of securing land.
Each partner matches or exceeds the funds the ministry provides to purchase properties. An additional $405,000 will be used for appraisals, surveys, and reporting.
Last year, the province’s various land securement programs were consolidated to provide a more strategic and coordinated approach.
Land securement is the protection of key natural spaces through the purchase or donation of land, or holding conservation easements or agreements.
“The Nature Conservancy of Canada applauds the tremendous leadership and commitment of the provincial government towards conserving our province’s extraordinary biological diversity,” said Donna Stewart, regional vice-president, Ontario.
“This partnership will result in the long-term protection of natural heritage and endangered species, and will mean a greener Ontario for future generations,” she added.
“Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to be a long-standing member of the Ontario Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, and appreciates the significant support that the province has provided to ensure a long-term and healthy future for Ontario’s wetlands,” said Ron Maher, Manager, Provincial Operations (Ontario) of DU Canada.
“These habitats are vitally important for the conservation of waterfowl and other wildlife, and are integral parts of healthy landscapes,” he stressed.
“There is increasing urgency to secure lands for conservation given urban sprawl, climate change, decreasing biodiversity, and other pressures,” said Kathy Allan, executive director of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
“Together we are preserving land for generations to come.”
The land securement partnership funding is just one way the McGuinty government is protecting Ontario’s natural heritage.
Other initiatives include:
•passing the Endangered Species Act, 2007 to strengthen and expand protection for species at risk;
•protecting 1.8 million acres of greenspace in the Greenbelt, providing a safe habitat for 66 species at risk;
•launching Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy; and
•working with an alliance of organizations through the Natural Spaces program to develop the tools, incentives, and on-the-ground activities that will encourage private landowners to conserve natural areas on their land.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
