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75 acres conserved by Nature Conservancy of Canada and Government of PEI

The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island have teamed up to protect a 75-acre dune and wetland site at Deroche Pond, along the north shore of Prince Edward Island.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada identified this area as a priority due to its location along the shores of Deroche Pond and the untouched nature of the area. Of particular interest are “tertiary sand dunes,” which are sand dunes which sustain vegetation and are further inland, sheltered from high winds. Additionally, common loons, which have a very small breeding population on PEI, have been found nesting on Deroche Pond.

This is the third land conservation project that the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has assisted with at Deroche Pond since 1978, with a total of 322 acres now being protected.

Quotes

“We were pleased to play a constructive role with this private land owner, talking with them about the ecological significance of the area and encouraging this family to set these lands aside for conservation,” said Julie Vasseur, Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Program Manager in Prince Edward Island. “Both NCC and the Province of PEI worked very hard to conserve this natural habitat at Deroche Pond and it is incredibly satisfying to know it is permanently protected as a natural area.”

“Deroche Pond has been a priority for protection for Government for many years. Its combination of forest, wetland, and sand dune make it important habitat for many hundreds of species, including rare plants and birds,” said Minister of Agriculture and Forestry George Webster. “Over the years, we have acquired lands around the Pond to ensure they are protected into the future. This 75-acre parcel on the north side of Deroche Pond is an important acquisition that will be managed by our Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division.”

“As the minister responsible for environment, I am pleased to announce another rural area that will now be protected under Prince Edward Island’s Natural Areas Protection Act,” said Minister of Environment, Labour and Justice and Attorney General Janice Sherry. “The NAPA designation is essential to the protection of this important ecological area in Blooming Point.”

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The Nature Conservancy of Canada is the nation’s leading 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 more than 2.7 million acres (over 1.1 million hectares), coast to coast. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has conserved 4,656 acres (1,884 hectares) in PEI.

For further information visit www.NatureConservancy.ca/pe.