The Nature Conservancy of Canada has acquired 814 square kilometres of boreal forest and peatlands south of Kapuskasing. The federal government is contributing $13 million to the $64-million project.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has acquired 814 square kilometres of boreal forest and peatlands in northern Ontario, an area larger than the city of Toronto. The land, located south of Kapuskasing, was previously owned by a company that sold carbon offset credits.
The acquisition is part of a total $64-million investment funded by both public and private donors. The federal government stated it is contributing $13 million to the project.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada indicated that where the landscape is healthy and free of vulnerable species, some day-use recreational activities such as hiking and paddling may continue, in line with provincial laws.
The announcement was made ahead of next week’s annual United Nations biodiversity summit. According to the sources, the summit talks are expected to focus on global progress toward conservation goals.
This development follows the federal government's unveiling of a new $3.8-billion nature protection strategy earlier this year. That strategy was intended to help Canada meet its conservation targets. The federal environmental watchdog had previously found that Canada was more than one-million square kilometres short of its 2025 goal to protect 25 per cent of its lands and inland water.
The protection of this tract of land adds to the area of boreal forest and peatlands shielded from industrial development in Ontario. The project highlights the role of mixed public and private funding in meeting national conservation targets, particularly as Canada works to close the gap identified by federal watchdogs regarding its 2025 protection goals.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
Cornell University has suspended all fraternity parties for the remainder of the academic year amid scrutiny over its handling of a 2024 sexual assault case. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by a former student and criticism from state officials.
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove a lung nodule. The Vatican confirmed the operation was completed successfully, with the pope expected to stay for a week.
