Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter
The federal government is contributing $15M toward the initiative, which takes a land conversion approach to help protect up to 30,000 hectares of land located near Parks Canada administered places across the country. (Photo 159067434 © Chris Labasco | Dreamstime.com)

Federal government investing $15 million into protecting national parks

Oct 24, 2023 | 1:54 PM

OTTAWA, ON – The federal government is contributing $15 million into protecting national parks, including one in Alberta.

On October 24, 2023, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and President and Chief Executive Officer of Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Catherine Grenier announced a collaboration that will “strengthen conservation on protected areas that form important buffer zones around Canada’s National Parks.”

The federal government is contributing $15M toward the initiative, which takes a land conversion approach to help protect up to 30,000 hectares of land located near Parks Canada administered places across the country.

The project aims to protect lands against biodiversity loss, foster ecological connectivity across landscapes, and support the role Indigenous peoples play in caring for the land.

Grenier said, “This important initiative builds on our longstanding relationship with Parks Canada to address the impacts of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss in Canada. Nature knows no bounds; neither should we. That’s why partnerships like this are so critical.”

There are ten parks highlighted in the announcement, including Waterton Lakes National Park. The list includes:

  • Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site (NS)
  • Kouchibouguac National Park (NB)
  • La Mauricie National Park (QC)
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park (ON)
  • Thousand Islands National Park (ON)
  • Point Pelee National Park (ON)
  • Grasslands National Park (SK)
  • Waterton Lakes National Park (AB)
  • Kootenay National Park (BC)
  • Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (BC)

The NCC will also contribute $15 million towards the initiative, bringing the total funding to $30 million.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.