Five parcels of privately-owned land across Prince Edward Island are now designated as protected under the provincial Natural Areas Protection Act (NAPA), says Minister of Communities, Land and Environment Robert Mitchell.

"Today we announced five parcels of land that will now be protected under provincial legislation,” said Minister Mitchell. “Thank you to the three private land owners - Island Nature Trust, PEI Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada for recognizing the benefits and importance of protecting the environment of our beautiful province.”

Island Nature Trust owns the parcel of land on Courtin (Bunbury) Island and the property in Sherbrook, PEI Wildlife Federation owns the parcel of land in North Lake Creek and the Nature Conservancy of Canada owns two new parcels of protected land including Acadian marshes in Prince County and Holman’s Island. The amount of land being protected under the NAPA totals 360 acres.

To date, 49,481 acres across P.E.I. have been protected – including 22,318 acres under the Natural Areas Protection Act. This represents just over 3.53 per cent of the province. The standing goal for land designation on P.E.I. is to protect seven per cent of the Island.

Land now designated under the NAPA:

Courtin (Bunbury) Island: A large off-shore island that was acquired by Island Nature Trust for conservation and protection. It is an important area for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Great blue herons, bald eagles and osprey have been nesting here.

Holman’s Island: Acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for conservation and protection after being almost entirely cleared between the 1800s and 1900s. It has reforested with a second growth forest of mixed tree species up to 19 metres tall. The site will be maintained to conserve forest cover.

Sherbrook: This parcel of land was acquired by Island Nature Trust for conservation and protection. It contains a relatively undisturbed salt marsh and back-dune system on the south shore of Malpeque Bay. It is an important migratory area for waterfowl and shorebirds. Natural features of the site that will now be protected include the marsh, dune, wetland and wet hardwood forest ecosystems.

Acadian Marshes in Prince County: This parcel of land was acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada for conservation and protection. It contains relatively undisturbed salt marsh. Protection will include the preservation of natural features of the site including native biodiversity.

North Lake Creek: This parcel of land was acquired by the PEI Wildlife Federation for conservation and protection purposes. The property will be managed to maintain a forested riparian zone and forest cover while allowing for native species development and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Prince Edward Island's Natural Areas Protection Act allows legal protection for ecologically significant sites. These sites may include sand dunes, marshes, rivers, ponds, bogs, forests, offshore islands, cliffs or marine areas.