The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), in partnership with Ontario Nature, is pleased to announce that an additional 97.46 hectares of NPCA-owned land has been recognized as protected under Canada’s 30x30 initiative.
Canada’s 30x30 goal aims to protect and conserve 30 per cent of the country’s lands and waters by 2030 as part of a global effort to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The commitment was adopted by nearly 200 countries through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15 in 2022.
With this latest addition, NPCA has contributed approximately 2,000 hectares of protected land toward the national target. This milestone reflects NPCA’s commitment to conserving biodiversity and protecting some of the Niagara Peninsula watershed’s most significant natural areas.
Three of the properties are ecologically significant land adjacent to Ruigrok Conservation Area in Haldimand County, helping protect the Caistor Canborough Slough Forest Provincially Significant Wetland and valuable interior forest habitat. The fourth property, donated by the Kala family in West Lincoln, is an undisturbed parcel within the St. Anns Slough Forest Provincially Significant Wetland Complex and Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. Together, these lands help protect important wetland, forests, and natural heritage features in Niagara.
The newly recognized lands include four properties acquired by NPCA in 2025 through $1.55 million from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Priority Places fund. These 2025 acquisitions, along with the rest of NPCA’s lands, fall within the Carolinian Zone Priority Place.
Using the criteria of the pan-Canadian standard, Ontario Nature assessed each property for their ecological significance, value to wildlife and measures for long-term protection, resulting in the properties counting as Protected Areas towards the 30x30 target. These properties also now count towards the 11.2 per cent of Ontario that is recognized as protected.
Quotes
“Protecting natural areas requires strong partnerships and a long-term vision. These additions further strengthen some of the most ecological important landscapes in the Niagara Peninsula watershed and demonstrate what can be achieved when governments, conservation organizations, and landowners work together toward a shared goal. Today, every hectare becomes part of a larger conservation legacy that we are establishing together.
– Leilani Lee-Yates, NPCA CAO & Secretary-Treasurer
“A heartfelt congratulations to NPCA for their fourth contribution of protected areas to Canada’s 30×30 target. Recognizing these newly acquired lands demonstrates a high standard of stewardship in one of the most biodiverse regions in Canada. Ontario Nature is proud to work with leaders like NPCA, whose dedication to conservation safeguards a healthier world for future generations."
– Tony Morris, Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Ontario Nature
“Protecting nature and reversing biodiversity loss requires strong partnerships and local leadership. The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s work demonstrates how meaningful progress happens on the ground. These newly recognized protected areas strengthen the ecological health of the Niagara Peninsula and contribute to Canada’s commitment to conserve 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030. I want to thank NPCA and Ontario Nature whose dedication is helping safeguard these important natural spaces.”
– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature
“Protecting nature is one of the most important investments we can make for future generations. The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Ontario Nature continue to demonstrate strong leadership in conserving these important natural areas. By protecting wetlands, forests, and wildlife habitat, they are strengthening Canada’s network of protected areas and helping advance our commitment to conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.”
– The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)
“Canada’s natural spaces are worth protecting, for biodiversity, for climate resilience, and for the communities that call these landscapes home. Through the Federal Government's 30x30 initiative, I’m proud we're working alongside partners like the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to safeguard some of the Niagara region’s most precious ecosystems. Nearly 2,000 hectares of newly protected land shows what’s possible when we come together for nature, and for the generations who will inherit it”
– Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament, St. Catharines
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About Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority:
As a community-based natural resource management agency, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority envisions a healthy and vibrant natural environment with shared greenspace and clean water for all. NPCA’s work supports the conservation, enhancement, and sustainability of healthy watersheds with programs and services that focus on drinking water source protection, flood and hazard management, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, education, and land management.
NPCA is the caretaker of 43 conservation areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
For more info on NPCA: www.npca.ca
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About Ontario Nature:
Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. A charitable organization, Ontario Nature represents more than 30,000 members and supporters, and 150 member groups across Ontario.
About Priority Places for Species at Risk
Priority Places are distinct high‑biodiversity areas identified under the Pan‑Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation. Twelve Priority Places have been recognized across Canada, where governments, Indigenous Peoples, other partners and stakeholders collaborate to plan and advance conservation actions that benefit species at risk and their habitats.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Erika Navarro
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
enavarro@npca.ca
905-650-4027