The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) recently announced the protection of 136 acres (55 hectares) of forest habitat along the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River.
The property is a strategic acquisition for NCC since it connects additional NCC-protected properties and provides an important habitat for a variety of mammals, waterfowl and grassland birds. At least 33 endangered species occur in the area.
About 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, the new acquisition features native grasslands, shrublands and hardwood forests. This important area straddles the transition between open grasslands to the south and closed boreal forests to the north.
"We're pleased to announce this important property during National Forest Week, "said Carmen Leibel, vice president, Saskatchewan for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. "The protection of this important habitat for generations to come would not be possible without the generous support of TD Bank Group and the Province of Saskatchewan."
"More than 90 percent of Canadians have said forests are important to them, and for good reason," says Karen Clarke-Whistler, TD's Chief Environment Officer. "Forests form the backdrop of our lives. They are where we live, work and play, and they perform an essential role in cleaning the air and moderating temperatures. As our world becomes more urbanized it is essential to protect forests and the valuable habitats they represent. That's why we made protecting critical forest habitat a key pillar of TD Forests."
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 2.6 million acres (over 1 million ha), coast to coast. For more information visit: www.natureconservancy.ca.
