Harper Government Creating Opportunities for Canadians to Connect with Nature at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area

REGINA, Nov. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, announced today that the Government of Canada is improving public access to Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area.

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.

Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area is North America's first federal bird sanctuary. Last Mountain Lake is located in south-central Saskatchewan between Regina and Saskatoon, in the heart of the central flyway of North America. Spectacular populations of migrating ducks, geese, Sandhill Cranes and other birds use the area as they travel across the Great Plains, between their northern breeding grounds and southern wintering grounds.

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.
• Last Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary has been a safe haven for more than 300 bird species and resident wildlife.
• Established in 1887 by Sir John A. MacDonald, Last Mountain Lake is North America's first federal bird sanctuary, and an example of Canada's legacy of conservation.

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 Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area will enhance public access while protecting this area's unique natural heritage."

– Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre

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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

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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