Why I Support the Nature Conservancy of Canada
At Fierce Lynx Designs, I create unique jewelry featuring natural gemstones and minerals, inspired by both my global travels and my home in New Brunswick, Canada. To help preserve the natural beauty of our planet and its valuable resources, I donate 10 percent of my profits to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), a private, non-profit charitable conservation organization.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), its importance in preserving natural beauty and biodiversity, and highlights some of its recent conservation projects. It is intended for Canadians and international supporters who care about conservation, natural habitats, and protecting our planet’s resources. Understanding the NCC’s work matters because safeguarding Canada’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity is crucial not only for our country but for the health of the entire planet.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit charitable conservation organization, founded in 1962, that protects and preserves the lands and waters that sustain life and biodiversity across Canada. For Canadians and international supporters interested in conservation, natural habitats, and biodiversity, this overview explains what the NCC does, why its work matters, and how it helps protect forests, freshwater, coastlines, and wildlife across the country.
NCC's first conservation project was 1,340 hectares in 1968. NCC protects ecologically important land through acquisitions and conservation agreements. The NCC has protected 20 million hectares of ecologically significant land, including its largest project is the Darkwoods Conservation Area at 55,000 hectares.
Using science-backed, evidence-based approaches, the organization protects natural lands and waterways, preserves native plant and animal life across all ten provinces, and purchases land that will remain undeveloped so ecosystems can continue to function with minimal human disturbance. NCC focuses on long-term stewardship of conserved properties.
The NCC also restores lands throughout the country. Its work includes removing invasive weeds, mapping rare species so they are not disturbed and can flourish, and securing habitats that need greater protection to support biodiversity and local wildlife.
By protecting critical habitats and natural resources with local and global environmental value, the NCC helps safeguard endangered species and the ecological systems people depend on now and in the future.
Land Conservation: What It Is and Why It’s So Important
Conservation isn’t just about advocacy. Instead, it involves more active steps, including protecting and restoring critical habitats that support Canada’s native plant and animal species. The NCC aims to protect biodiversity by documenting rare species and conducting research that helps native plants and animals flourish.
The NCC also collaborates with First Nations across Canada, such as the Haida Nation, on conservation projects. NCC also partnered with Indigenous schools for 'Learning the Land' in 2014.
While many might assume the NCC’s efforts benefit only Canada, they do not. Canada’s boreal forest is critical for the planet. These carbon-rich landscapes help regulate the climate, purify the air, and keep natural waterways clean. This makes them central to nature-based climate solutions that mitigate climate change.
The NCC also develops programs to maximize carbon sequestration while addressing biodiversity loss. As a result, the impact of Canada’s boreal forest is global.
Canada is also home to a massive supply of freshwater. NCC's Boreal Wildlands project covers 145,000 hectares in Ontario. Through conservation efforts, we can preserve and restore these habitats and the water that connects them. This benefits the entire planet.
Canada also has ice caps. Conservation efforts also help protect the health of those regions and may even slow glacier melt. Because the ice affects sea levels and temperatures worldwide, preserving the ice caps has a global impact.
Recent Nature Conservancy of Canada Projects
The NCC has a presence in all ten Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan), with work in each province across Canada. Across the country, the NCC protects 20 million hectares of diverse ecosystems, plants, and animals.
Each conservation project focuses on a single area or goal. Some advance land conservation through property securement strategies that help ensure the area is protected and properly restored or preserved. Others focus on a specific plant or animal, such as a rare species that might otherwise go extinct. Many projects also grow through partnership with communities, Indigenous communities, and other partners in conservation efforts. The Natural Areas Conservation Program began in 2007.
Below is a summary of a few of the NCC’s recent projects:
|
Project Name |
Location |
Key Features and Species Protected |
|---|---|---|
|
Tabusintac Lagoon and Estuary |
Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick |
Critical breeding habitat for endangered piping plovers; home to various waterfowl; beach barrier protects from storms |
|
Hole in the Wall |
Hart Ranges of British Columbia |
Native grasslands habitat; species include burrowing owls, American badgers, northern leopard frogs, ferruginous hawks |
|
Van Brunt’s Jacob’s Ladder |
New Brunswick |
Protects a rare flowering plant thought extinct until 2005; involves educating private landowners |
|
Black Ash Nature Reserve |
West coast of NL |
Habitat for vulnerable black ash tree; research to ensure tree health and survival |
|
Fundy Isles |
New Brunswick |
Undeveloped island cluster; nursery ground for whales; habitat for endangered bald eagles and threatened peregrine falcons |
|
Miramichi Salmon |
Miramichi Watershed |
Largest Atlantic salmon run in North America; habitat for fish, moose, black bear, beavers, waterfowl, and rare species |
Tabusintac Lagoon and Estuary
A 15-kilometre stretch of land along the coast of the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick has been turned into a safe haven. The area is a critical breeding habitat for piping plovers, an endangered bird species. A variety of other waterfowl also call the area home, and the beach barrier helps protect the surrounding areas from harsh storms.
Hole in the Wall
The NCC’s Hole in the Wall property is a rich and diverse habitat for a variety of species. Throughout the native grasslands, burrowing owls, American badgers, northern leopard frogs, and ferruginous hawks all make their homes. This project protects 183 acres for the NCC.
Van Brunt’s Jacob’s Ladder
The Van Brunt’s Jacob’s Ladder – a delicate flowering plant with purple, bell-like flowers – was initially thought to be extinct in New Brunswick. Then, it was rediscovered in 2005. One of the NCC’s projects focuses on safeguarding the Van Brunt’s Jacob’s Ladder, including educating private landowners with the flowers on their properties and working to locate where this rare species occurs.
Black Ash Nature Reserve
As the name suggests, the Black Ash Nature Reserve provides a habitat for the vulnerable black ash tree. Through the NCC’s conservation efforts, research is identifying ways to keep the trees healthy and ensure their survival.
Fundy Isles
The Fundy Isles in New Brunswick are one of the few remaining island clusters in Atlantic Canada that are entirely undeveloped. The NCC acquired the land in 1999, ensuring that this important region, which serves as a nursery ground for whales and the home to endangered bald eagles and threatened peregrine falcons, remains untouched.
Miramichi Salmon
Known as the site of the largest Atlantic salmon run in North America, the Miramichi Watershed and surrounding area is also critical habitat for a variety of fish species, large mammals (like moose and Black Bear), beavers, and waterfowl. Throughout the nearby forests and wetlands, wood turtles, Canada warblers, and Olive-sided flycatchers – all rare or at-risk species – are also found. The NCC is planning future land conservation in the watershed to protect the region’s rivers for local people and the public.
