“Protecting our ecosystems and natural landscapes is something this government is committed to doing,” Minister Brown said. “We recognize the importance of these areas and the need to ensure we protect them for future generations,” he said.

In 1988, the province enacted the Natural Areas Protection Act to protect recognized natural landscapes. In 1991, the province approved the Significant Environmental Areas Program (SEAP) and has approved over 100 sites for inclusion in this program. Sites in it are eligible for designation under the Natural Areas Protection Act.

Since the creation of the Act, 6403.64 hectares (15,823.2 acres) have been designated. This latest amount brings the total to 6744.8 hectares (16,666.3 acres). Prince Edward Island’s commitment is to protect seven percent of the Island’s land base or 97,843 acres as Natural Areas.

The lands which were acquired by the province and are recommended for designation include:

• Basin Head – 54.23 hectares (134 acre) within the Basin Head Sand Dunes.

• Boughton Island – 158.4 hectares (391.4 acres) in two (2) parcels of land. Boughton Island is an approved site within the Significant Environmental Areas Program.

• Larkins Pond – 20.7 hectares (50 acres) is a fresh water wetland.

• Morell River – 15.97 hectares (39.5 acres) in two (2) parcels of land along the river.

• Naufrage River – 91.5 hectares (226.1 acres) in six (6) parcels of land situated along the river including a relatively undisturbed forested watercourse and wetlands.

• Warrens Pond – 0.4 hectare (1.0 acre) appends an area already designated under the Natural Areas Protection Act in Cherry Hill.

In January of this year, the province designated four parcels of private land totaling more than 80 hectares.

“Protected areas have a tremendous positive impact on our various habitats,” Minister Brown said. “They can provide safe areas for endangered species, enhance trout habitat, support Atlantic salmon and safeguard our wetlands. As a government, we have to make sure we continue to protect our sensitive environmental areas,” he added.

The Natural Areas Protection Act was amended in 2005 to require public consultation prior to designation or de-designation of public land.