Nature Conservancy of Canada expands protected area on Percival River
Rich salt marsh, valuable forest, wildlife habitat conserved west of Summerside
A major wildlife corridor on Prince Edward Island is expanding. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has announced it has acquired over 28 hectares (70 acres) on the mouth of the Percival River.
The peninsula-shaped property extends into Percival Bay and includes a freshwater wetland, salt marsh, forest and 2.5 kilometres of beach shoreline.
Half of the land was donated by people who wish to remain anonymous. NCC raised the remaining funds to buy the site and cover its necessary stewardship costs. The project increases NCC’s protected area in North Enmore to 299 hectares (740 acres).
The Percival River area is one of the most intact wildlife and habitat corridors in PEI. The largest unbroken tract of salt marsh in PEI is located along the Percival River. This new property features a mixed forest of black spruce, red maple and balsam fir along with a variety of birds and waterfowl, such as great blue heron, common goldeneye, longtail duck and scoter.
This land conservation project was made possible by the generosity of private donors and funding from the Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund. It was also supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
Quotes
"I am pleased to see the conservation of additional lands along the Percival River. The additional wetland, salt marsh, forest, and beach shoreline will support iconic wildlife now and for generations to come. By protecting more nature, here in PEI and beyond, we are building a cleaner, healthier future for our children and grandchildren.”
- Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont
– Lanna Campbell, PEI program director, Nature Conservancy of Canada
About
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres), coast to coast to coast. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has protected 32,845 hectares (81,163 acres) of ecologically significant land in Atlantic Canada. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
Learn More
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/NCC_CNC | twitter.com/NCC_CNCMedia
Find us on Facebook
- 30 -
