Grant to protect 160 hectares of southern Alberta forest

A grant from the TD Bank Group and federal government's Natural Areas Conservation Program has allowed the Nature Conservancy of Canada to offer protection of 160 hectares of forest habitat in Alberta's Crowsnest Pass.

The conservancy says the area includes Douglas fir forests, grassland and wildlife corridors for grizzly bears, elk and wolves.

The TD forest program teamed up with NCC to increaseprotection, particularly in southern Canada, where forests are most threatened by development.

"This acquisition marks another achievement under our government's Natural Areas Conservation Program," said Ted Menzies,ConservativeMPfor MacLeod and minister of state for Finance.

"With this investment, we are taking real action to protect and conserve our country's ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations."

Canada accounts for 10 per cent of the world's forests.