Nature Conservancy of Canada acquires land for conservation near Waterton Lakes National Park
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased two parcels of land equalling 2.5 square kilometres near Waterton Lakes National Park.
The site sits between the national park and the hamlet of Twin Butte.
The newly acquired land will act as a wildlife corridor, allowing wildlife such as elk, bears and deer to move more safely around the region.
“It's a corridor so far as wildlife moving north and south as well as out from the Rockies during times of difficult periods of the year during harsh weather, when they need lower elevation, better shelter and habitat to be able to survive,” said Larry Simpson, senior advisor for NCC Alberta region.
The parcels of land will become part of the 130-square-kilometre private conservation lands outside of the national park, called the Waterton Park Front.
Parks Canada is pleased to see more of the land around Waterton National Park being conserved.
“Landscape-scale conservation is a priority for Waterton Lakes National Park, as protecting the land around the park itself plays a vital role in helping to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and contributes to the recovery of species at risk,” Parks Canada said in a statement.
The acquisition took months to complete and was purchased from a private land owner.
The biodiversity of the area has Simpson particularly excited.
“When I talk to biologists about the area, they continue to tell me it's one of the richest places for biodiversity and diversity of plant life in the province,” said Simpson.
The purchase took support from multiple groups including the federal government, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Cenovus Energy.
“One term that's thrown around is the whole of society approach. So that means governments, corporations, individuals, private foundations all working together to try to get a good result for nature,” said Sean Feagan, NCC Alberta region media and communications co-ordinator.
The NCC says it hopes to purchase more parcels of land in the area to conserve over the coming years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump suggests the U.S. should take back the Panama Canal. Could they do that?
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States 'foolishly' ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged 'ridiculous' fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Weather advisories issued for GTA, areas north of Toronto ahead of 'significant' snowfall
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
What's open and closed over the holidays in Canada
As Canadians take time off to celebrate the holidays, many federal offices, stores and businesses will be closed across the country on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
More than 7,000 Jeep vehicles recalled due to rearview camera display issue
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.