Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has created the province’s first new conservation reserve in more than 10 years. The Monarch Point Conservation Reserve will protect nearly 4,000 acres along the south shores of Prince Edward County – an area nearly five times the size of the Toronto Islands.
“Ontario is working to protect our natural environment and preserve our province’s biodiversity. Creating Monarch Point Conservation Reserve is an important step in achieving this goal,” said David Piccini, minister of the environment, conservation and parks. “This new protected area will not only safeguard important habitat for the iconic monarch butterfly, but also for countless other species that call this area home.
“I’m proud that this new protected area will ensure future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of our province.”
The site is named for the monarch butterfly, which frequents the area as part of its annual migration. It will provide critical habitat for a range of species, including the at-risk monarch butterfly, migratory birds, reptiles and plants.
“The creation of the Monarch Point Conservation Reserve ensures the preservation of Prince Edward County’s south shore, an environmentally significant area on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario’s shoreline,” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “It is the product of great collaboration between our government, the local community, and partners to designate this land as protected now and for future generations.”
This new conservation reserve is the result of extensive consultation and collaboration with local stakeholders, Indigenous communities, residents and conservation groups such as the South Shore Joint Initiative, the Schad Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada towards a shared goal of protecting Ontario’s biodiversity and creating a more sustainable future for all.
“At NCC, we are pleased to support efforts to increase long-term protection of lands in southern Prince Edward County,” said Mike Hendren, regional vice-president, Nature Conservancy of Canada – Ontario Region. “Together with our partners, NCC has helped to protect more than 1,850 acres in this landscape including properties adjacent to Monarch Point Conservation Reserve. Collaborative conservation solutions like this are key to fighting the climate and biodiversity crises.”