Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology and Environment and Michael Currie, Minister of Transportation and Public Works today announced that four parcels of land in the Little Pond - Spry Point area of Kings County have been donated to the Province of Prince Edward Island by the family of the late R. Howard Webster. "With the transfer of this land to the Province, we have acquired a very valuable asset both environmentally and in financial terms that will provide benefit to all Islanders," said Minister Currie.
The 166 acres of land include an access to the shore, a protective buffer for a salt marsh and tidal inlet, as well as woodland areas. The donated lands were part of the old Dundas Farms operation of which the late Mr. Webster was President. His nephews and nieces wished to recognize their late uncle's attachment to P.E.I. and his concern for wildlife, so decided to give these lands to the Province in his memory. In accordance with this, the properties will be used for the protection and perpetuation of wildlife and formal protection under the Natural Areas Protection Act will be sought for the land.
Minister Murphy joined Minister Currie in acknowledging the late Mr. Webster and his family who arranged the donation. "The Province of Prince Edward Island would like to thank the Webster family for their generosity. 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.
One of the four properties 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 regionally. The Durell Point property where the Great Cormorants nest will be dedicated in recognition of R. Howard Webster.
Prince Edward Island continues to protect and manage natural areas that have importance for Islanders. Earlier this year, the province received the highest grade in the country from the World Wildlife Fund for activities that protect natural areas. 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. This is the second time the Webster Family has donated land to the Province. In 1995, the Province accepted approximately 675 acres of land in Kings County. Some of those parcels of land have received protection under the Natural Areas Protection Act, or by inclusion in the existing Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area. The remaining parcels are scheduled for inclusion in new wildlife management areas to be created in the near future.