Government of Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada conserve valuable
habitat in Kent County, New Brunswick

RICHIBUCTO, N.B., Dec. 1 /CNW/ - Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today announced the Nature Conservancy of Canada's successful acquisition of the Richibucto Dunes project - 43.74 hectares (108.08 acres) of land near Richibucto, New Brunswick, secured in part with funding from Environment Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program. The Government of Canada is a major contributor in this project which has an overall budget of $99,037.

"As part of the International Year of Biodiversity, I am pleased to be here with our partners to announce the protection of Richibucto Dunes project - an ecologically important and stunningly beautiful area of New Brunswick," said Minister Ashfield. "The preservation of this habitat will benefit a range of species and safeguard this area for generations to come."

"This acquisition marks another achievement under our government's Natural Areas Conservation Program. With this investment, we are taking real action to protect and conserve our ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations," said Minister Baird. "Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that is part of our natural heritage."

The Richibucto Dunes project is situated in the Cap-Lumière area of South Richibucto Dunes, on the shores of the Northumberland Strait. The area also referred to as des Mares Point at the southern end of South Richibucto Beach. This area mainly consists of salt marsh habitat fronted on the Strait by a raised dune, approximately two to three meters in height, and sandy beach. The sandy beach portion provides potential habitat for the nationally endangered, Piping Plover. Beach Pinweed, a vascular plan endemic to the Strait, occurs on the beach portion of one of the Richibucto Dunes project. Other notable and provincially uncommon species found here include Sand Heather, Gaspé Peninsula Arrow Grass, Seashore Saltgrass, and American Sea-blite.

"Today is a significant achievement for conservation in the Province of New Brunswick and without the considerable support from partners, this would have not been possible. The long term protection of these 108 acres of habitat in Richibucto along the Northumberland Strait will serve as refuge for rare and endangered species like the Piping Plover and Beach Pinweed," said Linda Stephenson, Nature Conservancy of Canada's Atlantic Regional Vice President.

The Government of Canada's $225-million 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. It is through the ongoing contribution from all donors that we can ensure the protection of natural areas in Canada. As of July 2010, under the Natural Areas Conservation Program over 138,800 hectares (342,982 acres) have been secured, protecting habitat for over 79 species at risk.

(Également offert en français)

                                                             

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