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Ontario Protects 814-Square-Kilometre Boreal Forest Tract
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Protection Announcement
The Nature Conservancy of Canada announced that it has acquired 814 square kilometres of boreal forest and peatlands south of Kapuskasing, securing the land from industrial development. The non-profit says the area—larger than the city of Toronto—will remain free of resource extraction, with day-use recreation such as hiking and paddling permitted where provincial law allows.
Background and Funding Context
Ottawa unveiled a $3.8-billion nature-protection strategy earlier this year to bring Canada closer to its 2025 target of protecting 25 percent of its lands and inland waters. A federal watchdog had previously reported the country was more than one-million square kilometres short of that goal. In the current project, the federal government says it is contributing $13 million, part of a total $64 million investment that includes public and private donors.
Scale and Geographic Details
The protected parcel spans 814 square kilometres of contiguous forest and peatland, an expanse the source describes as “bigger than Toronto.” Its location in Ontario’s northern boreal zone places it within a landscape considered healthy and free of vulnerable species, according to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Official Responses and Future Outlook
The Nature Conservancy of Canada emphasizes that the acquisition aligns with provincial regulations and may allow low-impact recreational activities in the future. The announcement notes that the protection effort comes ahead of the upcoming United Nations biodiversity summit, where talks are expected to focus on global progress toward conservation goals.
Significance for Conservation Targets
By adding a sizeable, ecologically intact area to the protected-land portfolio, the project contributes toward Canada’s broader ambition to meet its 2025 conservation benchmark. The federal contribution and private-sector support illustrate a collaborative financing model that could inform future large-scale preservation initiatives across the country.