Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology and Environment, highlighted Earth Day today by announcing a parcel of land in the Durell Point area has been formally designated the Howard Webster Natural Area Reserve. The land was part of the old Dundas Farms operation of which the late Mr. Webster was President. In 1998, his nephews and nieces recognized their late uncle's attachment to P.E.I. and his concern for wildlife, by donating the property and several others to the Province in his memory.
"The late Mr. Webster valued both Prince Edward Island and its wildlife resource; we are pleased to recognize this generous donation with both the naming of the area and by officially designating the area under the Natural Areas Protection Act," said Minister Murphy.
The Howard Webster Natural Area Reserve is home to a significant nesting colony of Great Cormorants. Numbers of Great Cormorants are relatively low in the Atlantic region and protection of this particular property will be beneficial to the species continentally. Seventy percent of Great Cormorants in North America breed around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and eastern Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward Island continues to protect and manage natural areas that have importance for Islanders. It is hoped donations like the one received from the Webster family will encourage others to join with the province in protecting more natural areas.
"It is gratifying to know the beauty and diversity of PEI is recognized and valued by others to the extent that they are prepared to assist us in the protection of our natural areas, for the benefit of present and future generations," said Minister Murphy.