The Algoma Highlands Conservancy receives federal funds for land purchase

Purchase brings most of King Mountain under protection

SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO — SEP. 25, 2023 — The Algoma Highlands Conservancy (AHC) is pleased to announce that it has received $130,000 in funding through the Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, towards its recent acquisition of the Ebare Tract. The acquisition adds 134 ha (332 acres) to the conservancy's 1180-ha holdings located 30 km north of Sault Ste. Marie encompassing King Mountain and the iconic Robertson Cliffs.

The Ebare Tract provides additional habitat for the 17 federally or provincially designated species at risk that are found on AHC lands, including Canada Warbler, Eastern Wood Peewee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, and West Virginia White Butterfly and Monarch Butterfly. Addition of the Ebare Tract brings most of the King Mountain formation under AHC protection and creates an uninterrupted swath of yellow birch-hard maple slope forests with associated wetlands and cliffs that provides important habitat for a broad diversity of lifeforms. 

The property was purchased in May this year. The AHC continues its appeal to conservation-minded citizens and corporations to help reach its fundraising goal of $320,000.

This project was made possible by private donations and the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program. 

Quote

“Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are a triple threat that we, as Canadians, must address together. By working with partners such as the Algoma Highlands Conservancy, we are helping to protect the natural environment in Ontario and across the country. Every hectare that we can help our partners protect plays a vital role in helping to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and contributes to the recovery of species at risk. Through programs like the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is making progress toward its goal of conserving a quarter of land and water in Canada by 2025, working toward 30 percent of each by 2030.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Facts

• The combined 1314 ha of conservancy lands provide important habitat for 17 federally or provincially designated species at risk, including species that are threatened (Black Ash), endangered (Little Brown Bat, Monarch Butterfly), or of special concern (Canada Warbler, Eastern Wood Peewee, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Yellow-banded Bumble bee, West Virginia White Butterfly, Painted Turtle). 
• Peregrine Falcons have been returning to nest on Robertson Cliffs for over 25 years.
• The AHC forests are protected from logging for 100 years under current carbon credit certification; AHC holdings sequester over 335,000 tons of CO₂ contributing to Canada’s net-zero emission goal by 2050.
• The Ebare Tract secures the Hakon Lien trail as a popular wilderness ski and hiking route.

About

The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $440 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $870 million in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community leading to the protection and conservation of more than 700,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands. 

Learn more

Visit: www.algomahighlandsconservancy.org

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Contact

info@algomahighlandsconservancy.org