Copyright 2000, Canada NewsWire
September 28, 2000

HALIFAX, Sept. 28 /CNW/ - Through a partnership with Shell Canada Limited, The Nature Conservancy of Canada has protected two unique properties in Nova Scotia: the McFarlane Woods in Cape Breton and Francis Nose Island in Musquodoboit Harbour. Dubbed gifts to Canadians, these latest land conservation projects are part of a program that preserves ecologically important places across Canada. With support from Shell Canada Limited, The Nature Conservancy has recently completed projects in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and now Nova Scotia.

"All of our conservation projects are carefully selected for their unique or special ecological characteristics," says John Lounds, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy of Canada. "Our long-standing partnership with Shell has allowed us to protect some very special properties from future development or destruction. Both these Nova Scotia properties include wonderful old growth forests. The Francis Nose Island is a coastal coniferous forest while MacFarlane Woods is dominated by Sugar and Red Maple."

Shell Canada's financial contribution allowed the NCC to purchase MacFarlane Woods, a 50 acre parcel of land located near Mull River in the southwest part of Cape Breton. It was designated by the Province of Nova Scotia as a "Special Place" and this purchase guarantees its long-term protection. The funding also supported the purchase of Francis Nose Island, located 30 km northeast of Halifax. The largest island in the Musquodoboit Harbour network, it is composed of small ponds, heath barrens and coastal coniferous forest. This pristine wilderness provides habitat for deer, small mammals and birds. The Musquodoboit Harbour is considered globally significant, and has been designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention.

"This partnership has allowed our company to help to conserve some of the most beautiful natural settings in Canada," said Shell Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Faithfull. "When I see these spectacular settings, I understand why Canadians so value their land and why the work The Nature Conservancy does is so important."

Since 1962, The Nature Conservancy of Canada has been the only national charity dedicated to the creation of nature preserves, and the conservation of ecologically significant land through direct acquisition by outright purchase, donation, and co-operative agreements with landowners, and long-term stewardship through monitoring and management agreements. To date, The Nature Conservancy of Canada has preserved over 1.6 million acres of land across Canada.

Shell Canada and The Nature Conservancy of Canada have been 'natural partners' in land conservation projects for over 20 years. As one of the NCC's longest standing and largest contributors, Shell has donated more than $2.8 million in financial resources, land and mineral rights.

BACKGROUNDER No. 1

Natural Partners:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada & Shell Canada

"Natural Partners" in land conservation projects for over 20 years.

From coast to coast, Shell has provided The Nature Conservancy of Canada with resources to help conserve special properties and endangered ecosystems. Preserving the richness and diversity of biological life (biodiversity) is expected by society and is integral to Shell's commitment to sustainable development. Shell also values wise land stewardship because the company's success is in part dependent on the land. Shell Canada has committed financial resources, land, mineral rights and people.

Financial Resources

Shell Canada is one of The Nature Conservancy of Canada's longest standing and largest contributors. The value of Shell's donations exceeds $2.8 million including a three-year, $250,000 per year commitment established last year.

Some of the past projects that received Shell Canada's contributions were:

- Shaughnessy Cohen Memorial Savanna, Pelee Island, Ontario
- La Fabrique, Ile de Grāce, Quebec
- Elkington Property (Garry Oaks ecosystem), Vancouver Island, British Columbia
- Tabusintac Lagoon, New Brunswick
- Grasslands National Park, Manitoba
- Cross Conservation Area, Alberta
- Big Hill Springs, Alberta

Land

Celebrating Canada's 125th birthday in 1992, Shell donated 22,100 acres of land to establish the Mount Broadwood Heritage Conservation Area. Grizzly bear, elk and big horn sheep are some of the species that roam this area, described by The Nature Conservancy of Canada as a "wildlife paradise." This land donation was valued at over $1.8 million.

Mineral Rights

In 1997, Shell Canada was one of four companies to relinquish their mineral rights to 320,000 acres off the west coast of Canada. This was the first step to establish the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve.

People

Shell Canada's Senior Operating Officer - Resources, Ray Woods, serves on the Alberta Board of The Nature Conservancy of Canada. Shell Canada Limited is one of the largest integrated petroleum companies in Canada. The Company is committed to sustainable development, which means integrating economic, social and environmental dimensions into all its activities. Now in its eleventh year, the Company's community environmental funding program, the Shell Environmental Fund, has granted more than $7.5 million to local community-driven action-oriented projects across the country.

BACKGROUNDER No. 2

MacFarlane Woods Natural Area

The MacFarlane Woods Natural Area is a 50-acre section of a mixed climaxforest beside the Mull River in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Natural Area is contiguous with the provincially designated MacFarlane Woods Special Place, and contributes to the protection of a larger natural area. The Nature Conservancy of Canada will ensure this property stays in its natural state forever.

MacFarlane Woods Natural Area is characteristic of the upper slopes and high ridges of the Ainslie Uplands of the Carboniferous Lowlands ecological unit of Cape Breton. It is regarded as one of the best remaining areas of old- growth hardwood forest on private land in Nova Scotia, where such forest types are rare. Most of the hardwood trees are estimated to be 200 years old. A small brook runs through the protected area, and supports a viable population of brook trout. The forest community supports a diverse assemblage of terrestrial mammals and native bird species. A pair of Northern Goshawks has been observed nesting within the natural area. The ground flora is diverse and includes such species as the Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid and the Bog Candle Orchid.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is working with the owner of the adjacent Special Place and the Protected Areas Division of the provincial Department of Environment to extend the boundaries of the Special Place and place a conservation easement on the land. The additional acreage acts as buffer to the natural area.

Francis Nose Island Nature Preserve

Francis Nose Island is one of the islands of the Martinique Islands. It is located approximately thirty kilometers northeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Francis Nose Island Nature Preserve consists of 842 acres including 400 acres of Intertidal Zone. It is situated within the mouth of the Musquodoboit Harbour - a system of diverse habitat types including old growth coastal coniferous forests, salt marshes and mudflats and barrier beaches. The upland habitat of the Martinique Islands, including Francis Nose, provides nesting habitat for bird species such as the Great Blue Heron, Common Goldeneye, Osprey and the Bald Eagle. The intertidal marshes and mudflats surrounding the islands provide vital staging and feeding areas for waterfowl, including Canada Geese and American Black Ducks.

The intertidal wetlands of Nova Scotia play an essential role in the survival of many waterfowl species. Large numbers of birds flock to this region each year to feed and rest before the long migration. The Musquodoboit Harbour's 1925 hectares of ecologically significant habitat achieved international recognition in 1987 when it was designated a Ramsar Site.

The Martinique Islands and surrounding Musquodoboit Harbour are zoned for multi-use purposes. Therefore, their ecological integrity is threatened by housing, hotel and cottage development. To ensure long-term protection of this significant coastal and estuarine habitat, The Nature Conservancy of Canada, with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Energy and the Canadian Wildlife Service, have made a commitment to work with willing landowners in securing and managing this significant nature preserve.

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For further information: Shell Canada Limited, Jan Rowley, (403)

691-3899; Anita Perry, (403) 691-3089; The Nature Conservancy of Canada, John

Lounds, (416) 932-3202, Shell Canada Web site: www.shell.ca, The Nature

Conservancy of Canada Web site: www.natureconservancy.ca Error: Unable to read footer file.