FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Ottawa, Sept. 10, 2020)—Nature Canada applauds the Ontario government’s plan to expand wildlife conservation on Prince Edward County’s South Shore.

Graham Saul, executive director of Nature Canada, enthusiastically endorsed the government’s plan announced Thursday to explore Conservation Reserve designations for Ostrander Point Crown Land Block and Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area.

“Nature Canada celebrates this critical step forward,” Saul said. “We championed this initiative alongside local conservation groups and will encourage the government to provide a strong management plan for the South Shore that will protect this treasured natural area for generations.”

Teeming with natural beauty, the South Shore is the last significant undeveloped shoreline in the southern Great Lakes. It includes 26 square kilometres of land and 65 square kilometres of waters. About half is on public land.

Ostrander Point Crown Land Block and Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area are public lands on the northeast shore of Lake Ontario. Their protection from industrial activity and development will help conserve rare and at-risk wildlife and support eco-tourism and education. The South Shore Joint initiative and local conservationists have worked tirelessly for protection of the area.

The South Shore is internationally recognized for its importance to migrating birds, bats, butterflies, and dragonflies. It includes an international Monarch butterfly reserve and a migrating bird observatory. It is home to many rare species and more than 30 species at risk, among them the Blanding’s turtle and the Eastern Meadowlark.

Nature Canada is one of the oldest national nature conservation charities in Canada. Over 80 years, Nature Canada has helped protect over 110 million acres of parks and wildlife areas and countless wildlife species. Nature Canada represents more than 100,000 members and supporters and more than 800 nature organizations. Visit naturecanada.ca.

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For further information contact:

Hannah Dean

Nature Canada Organizing Director

Cell: (613) 286 7462

Email: hdean@naturecanada.ca