Canada’s Minister of the Environment announced today the acquisition of six hectares of land on Sandy Point by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, thanks in part to funding from the department’s Natural Areas Conservation Program.
"With this investment, we are taking real action to protect and conserve our ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations," said Minister Peter Kent, in a release. "Your actions today will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that will constitute an integral part of our natural heritage tomorrow."
The department says these properties are part of the Southwest Newfoundland Natural Area, one of the most unique and diverse natural regions in the province. The sandy beaches and dunes also provide habitat for the endangered Piping Plover.
"With this investment, we are taking real action to protect and conserve our ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations." - Peter Kent, federal environment minister
Migratory birds such as Canada Geese and Blue-Winged Teal can also be found here, along with the first North American record for Black-headed Gull and the first provincial record for Willet. Sandy Point is also home to 11 rare plants, all on Nature Conservancy of Canada's properties.
This new acquisition brings the number of protected Sandy Point properties to nine, for a total of over 28 hectares.
As of December 2010, the Natural Areas Conservation Program has protected 151,278 hectares of habitat, which includes habitat for 101 species at risk across the country.
