The government of New Brunswick is working to protect and conserve freshwater, forests and other wild spaces for future generations.
Through an initiative called Pathway to Canada Target 1, provinces, territories, and the federal government have set a goal to collectively conserve at least 17 per cent of the country’s land and freshwater by the end of 2020.
With the support of $9.3 million under the federal government’s Canada Nature Fund, the provincial government intends to more than double its protected and conserved land and freshwater from 4.6 per cent to reach its target of 10 per cent.
Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland says their department is engaging with First Nations, conservation organizations, and natural resource industries to develop a plan for achieving that target.
Graham Forbes, director of the New Brunswick Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of New Brunswick says Protected natural areas help maintain biodiversity, provide services like cleaner air and water, and create a connection between people and nature.
Further details about the initiative will be released as agreements with local partners are finalized and new conservation areas identified.
