Moose sex corridor between N.S. and N.B. expands by 198 hectares
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced five new land conservation projects — stretching 198 hectares — along the Chignecto Isthmus, better known as the "moose sex corridor" connecting Nova Scotia with New Brunswick.
The land conservation group has been assembling parcels of land to form a corridor for cross-border moose mating between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Three of the new land purchases are in Nova Scotia and two are in New Brunswick. A total of 198-hectares has been added to the project.
The project is aimed at encouraging the migration of New Brunswick's healthy moose population into mainland Nova Scotia, where the species has been endangered since 2003.
"The work to conserve intact habitat on the Chignecto Isthmus is imperative for the long-term health of wildlife populations in Nova Scotia," said Paula Noel, Program Manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
"Without an intact habitat corridor here, Nova Scotia becomes an ‘ecological island’. We are very grateful to our partners for their support of our work in this important region."
The conservation group notes that in addition to moose, other mammals and bird species such as Canada lynx, bobcat and northern goshawk can use the corridor between the two Maritime provinces.
According to the group, the federal government provided $213,000 through Environment Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program, TD Forests Program provided $49,000 towards the two New Brunswick land purchases, and another $60,000 was provided by the Nova Scotia government.
"By working together under the leadership of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we are helping to protect the magnificent land link between our provinces. This conservation work aligns with Nova Scotia’s Parks and Protected Areas plan," said Nova Scotia Environment Minister Randy Delorey.
Other donations have been made through private citizens and foundations.
To date, more than 1,012 hectares have been conserved on the land linking New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
