Harper Government Creating Opportunities for Canadians to Connect with Nature at Chignecto National Wildlife Area

AMHERST, NS, Nov. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, announced today that the Government of Canada is improving public access to Chignecto National Wildlife Area (NWA).

The Government of Canada will be investing a total of $8 million over five years and $725,000 on an ongoing basis in 10 National Wildlife Areas across Canada that have been selected as suitable for increased public access. This initiative plays an important part in the National Conservation Plan, which was launched by Prime Minister Stephen Harper earlier this year.

Funding will focus on connecting Canadians to nature by: improving basic infrastructure to make sites more accessible; creating new or expanded trails and viewing platforms; providing on-site programs delivered through collaborative partnerships; and supporting a variety of low-impact public uses, such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, or wildlife observation and photography.

Chignecto NWA is located about five kilometres southwest of Amherst, approximately 200 kilometres from Halifax and 70 kilometres from Moncton, New Brunswick. It partially overlaps the Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Quick Facts

• A key pillar of Canada's new National Conservation Plan is to connect Canadians with nature.
• Since 2006, we have added an area nearly twice the size of Vancouver Island to the network of federal protected areas. This includes establishing three National Wildlife Areas, bringing the total to 54 across Canada.
• National Wildlife Areas are owned by the federal government and are an effective tool for promoting biodiversity and protecting habitat for species at risk.
• More than half of the National Wildlife Areas provide a home for species at risk.
• A total of 228 bird species has been recorded within the Chignecto NWA in recent years, and more than 100 species breed within the protected area. Chignecto NWA provides habitat to a variety of waterfowl including Mallard, Black Duck, Northern Pintail and Ring-Necked Duck as well as uncommon waterfowl species such as Gadwall, Redhead and Ruddy Duck. Various marsh birds such as Sora and Virginia Rail are commonly found here and some of the highest nesting densities of Pied‑billed Grebe in North America have also been recorded.
• Chignecto NWA also provides habitat for a wide variety of mammals, including the Northern Flying Squirrel, Star-nosed Mole, and Red Fox, among others.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to connecting Canadians to our country's rich, natural heritage. This initiative plays an important part in our Government's National Conservation Plan. By providing Canadians the opportunities to experience nature, we will foster an appreciation for the outdoors and build a "community of stewards" among Canadians of all ages."

– The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

"The National Conservation Plan represents our Government's commitment to conserve and restore Canada's lands and waters while connecting Canadian families to our natural spaces. Improvements to Chignecto National Wildlife Area will enhance public access while protecting this area's unique natural heritage."

– Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley

Related Product
For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Associated Link
Learn more about the National Conservation Plan.

Environment Canada's Twitter page

Environment Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE: Environment Canada

Ted Laking, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Environment Canada, 819-934-8008;