The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) applauds today’s announcement by the Quebec government to invest $2.6 million over 5 years in meeting protected areas goals in Quebec. The Municipality Fund for Biodiversity, an idea initiated by CPAWS Quebec in collaboration with la Fondation de la faune du Québec, will offer matching funds to municipalities to protect natural spaces and biodiversity in their regions.

This initiative will help with both the quantity and quality of protected areas, and create opportunities for wildlife corridors and connectivity in the crowded, southern part of the province. This investment, combined with the Nature Fund of $500 million released in this year’s federal budget, will go a long way in incenting action on the ground.

This announcement adds to the momentum of protecting more of Canada’s land and freshwater in an effort to meet its international conservation commitment of protecting more land and freshwater by 2020.

“CPAWS has built its reputation on being a solutions-based organization,” says Alain Branchaud, Executive Director of CPAWS Quebec. “In the face of challenges to protect the urban landscape, this fund is a great solution for engaging municipalities and communities in conserving our natural spaces.”

CPAWS is developing a roadmap of protected area proposals that, if implemented, could get Canada substantially closer to the 2020 targets. “It’s a great initiative that could work equally as well for other jurisdictions in Canada and across the globe,” adds Branchaud. “We know we need to protect biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. This is one more way that we can accomplish that.”

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Charlène Daubenfeld
Communications Manager, CPAWS Quebec
Office: 514-278-7627 #221
Cell: 514-378-3880
[email protected]

For more information: www.FondsMB.com (web page in French)