Harper Government Creating Opportunities for Canadians to Connect with Nature at Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area

PICTON, ON, Nov. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward—Hastings, announced today that the Government of Canada is improving public access to Prince Edward Point 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.

Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area is located about 20 km southeast of Picton, Ontario, along the northeast shore of Lake Ontario. The geographic location and diversity of habitats causes a spectacular number of migratory songbirds to concentrate at the tip of the peninsula.

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 3 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.
• More than 300 species of birds have been recorded on Prince Edward Point including songbirds, waterfowl, owls and hawks. There is no other location on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario where birds are known to occur in such high densities during migration.
• Approximately 23 federally-listed species at risk have been recorded within the natural wildlife area, including the Whip-poor-will and Red-headed Woodpecker. The area provides respite during migration and is also a breeding habitat.

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 Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area will enhance public access while protecting this area's unique natural heritage."

– Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward—Hastings

Related Product

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada.

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