Happy Birthday Canada!

Nature Conservancy of Canada saves precious island in Nova Scotia

News -June 24, 2009

Halifax, Nova Scotia — As a big birthday gift to all Canadians, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) today announces that a precious island along Nova Scotia’s eastern coast is saved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Situated at the eastern tip of Martinique Beach approximately 30 kilometres from Halifax, Bayers Island is a 79-acre (32-hectare) island located within Musquodoboit Harbour. For NCC, it is considered the third of the “triple crown” group of islands off of Martinique Beach requiring protection in this special area. Bayers Island is an archipelago formed of three main islands connected by barrier beaches. In 2000 and 2001, NCC secured the other two islands in the area: Francis Nose Island and Gunner Island. The protection of Bayers Island was a vital link in the protection of the Musquodoboit Harbour’s internationally significant coastal habitat.

This sizeable land acquisition was achieved with the help of concerned individuals, corporations, foundations and conservation organizations. NCC’s partners for this land acquisition include Ducks Unlimited Canada in conjunction with the EJLB Foundation, ExxonMobil Canada Ltd., Fred & Elizabeth Fountain, Government of Canada, Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust, The Shaw Group and many individuals.

The announcement is part of NCC's eighth annual Gifts to Canadians celebration. In the lead-up to Canada Day, events will be held from coast to coast to celebrate this lasting natural legacy for all Canadians. Together the 10 Gifts to Canadians total just over 556 square kilometres — that’s an area slightly bigger than the Island of Montreal.

The acquisition and long-term care of all 10 properties is made possible thanks to the support of NCC’s many partners, including the NCCGovernment of Canada Natural Areas Conservation Program. This unique public-private partnership helps non-profit non-government organizations secure ecologically sensitive lands to ensure the protection of our country’s diverse ecosystems, wildlife and habitat.

Quotes

“As we approach our nation’s birthday, we need to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy Canada’s natural beauty,” said Linda Stephenson, regional vice president of NCC's Atlantic Region. “Since 2000, NCC has been working to secure this important habitat near Halifax. Today is a very exciting day for us as we announce the completion of the ‘triple crown’ group of Martinique Islands and their natural state is forever protected.”

“I am proud to mark the second anniversary of the Natural Areas Conservation Program, a great partnership between the Government of Canada and non-government conservation organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada, which has yielded concrete results with the conservation of important lands across our country,” said Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice. “This is a great example of what public-private partnerships can achieve when sharing the same objectives of preserving and protecting Canada’s environment.”

"I am pleased this expenditure from the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust is helping to protect our coastal lands,” said Nova Scotia’s Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. "The Nature Conservancy of Canada is helping the province meet its goal of protecting 12 percent of our land base by 2015."

“Bayers Island is a key property in the securement of the globally significant Musquodoboit Harbour Outer Estuary, and the provincially significant Martinique Beach. The Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust is pleased to have supported the conservation of this important ecosystem, and applauds the Nature Conservancy of Canada for providing a land legacy for all Nova Scotians and Canadians,” said Karen Beazley, Chair, Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust.

“Hard-working Canadians from every walk of life helped us to protect these lands. This is our chance to give something back. Through our Gifts to Canadians, NCC recognizes the great conservation work being done. It’s our way of saying thank you. What better gift for Canadians than to ensure a lasting natural legacy?” John Lounds, President and CEO of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Facts

· NCC has already protected more than 1,097 acres (444 hectares) in Musquodoboit Harbour. NCC acquired Francis Nose Island in 2000 and Gunner Island in 2001. Bayers Island completes the protection of the “triple crown” group of islands. Musquodoboit Harbour is a tidal inlet, largely enclosed by a barrier sand beach and many forested islands.

· The 4,756-acre (1,925-hectare) Musquodoboit Harbour Outer Estuary was designated as a Ramsar Site in 1987. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty signed by 158 countries enlisted in a global effort to ensure the conservation of world-class wetlands.

· Its diverse coastal habitat types support huge congregations of Canada Geese (i.e. 8,000 geese during spring migration).

· It is also a fall migration stop for more than 3,000 Green Winged Teal and hosts a winter population of more than 2,000 American Black Ducks, which represents one percent of the global population of this species.

· The endangered Piping Plover also nests and breeds on Martinique Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Nova Scotia.

· Situated off the eastern tip of Martinique Beach, Bayers Island is a continuation of Martinique Beach’s tidal/cobble beach/dune habitat complex.

· The Island’s coastal forest of Spruce and Balsam Fir are ideal for bird species such as Osprey, Bald Eagle and Great Blue Heron, while its surrounding mudflats and Eel-grass beds support vast numbers of staging waterfowl.

Learn More

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is a national non-profit conservation organization that works with landowners to protect Canada’s natural habitats. Its plan of action is to build partnerships and develop creative conservation solutions with individuals, corporations, community groups, conservation groups and government bodies. Since 1962, NCC and its supporters have helped to protect more than 2 million acres (809,371 hectares) of ecologically significant land across Canada and more than 18,500 acres (7,486 hectares) in Nova Scotia.

Visit www.natureconservancy.ca

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Contact:
Crystal Folkins
Communications Manager, Atlantic Region
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Tel: 506.450.6010 / 1.877.231.4400
Mobile: 506.292.5118