Previous Next

Conservation Alliance Grantee Protects 7M Acres

TUESDAY, 30 JUNE 2009
Submitted By: Sherwin Mapanoo

Bend, Ore. -- The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has succeeded in its effort to expand the boundaries of Nahanni National Park Reserve by a staggering seven million acres. The Conservation Alliance supported this effort with two grants totaling $50,000 in 2006 and 2008.

The park is now nearly seven times the size of the original one established in 1972. The expansion, announced on June 9 by Canadian Environment Minister Jim Prentice, will permanently protect an expanse of Boreal wilderness the size of Vancouver Island.

"The Nahanni is the jewel of Canada's Boreal forest, and one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures. Canada has shown true global leadership by protecting it," says CPAWS National Executive Director Eric Hébert-Daly.

This conservation victory adds to the string of successes The Conservation Alliance is celebrating with its grantees in 2009. In March, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, which pushed 14 Alliance-funded projects across the finish line. In total, Alliance funding has helped protect 10 million acres and 1000 miles of rivers, acquire one climbing area, and remove one dam, all in 2009.

"We're in the middle of the most exciting year of our 20-year history. The Nahanni victory marks a huge accomplishment for our Canadian colleagues," said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance Executive Director. "We think our members will be proud of our ability to invest their dollars in campaigns that can succeed given adequate funding."

Source: www.outdoorindustry.org

Previous Next