Privately Protecting Natural Areas on Prince Edward Island: The Story of Kathy Stuart and Stuart Memorial Woodland Natural Area

Although Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada, many call it home. This small Island boasts a large variety of landscapes, forests, rolling fields, rivers, wetlands, and beaches, all of which enhance the Islanders’ attachment to the land. The Island is roughly 85% privately owned, and many of the landowners are long-term residents or visitors with special ties to PEI’s natural beauty. For those with strong ties to the Island and its natural features, it is not hard to see that the pressure of development is decreasing the Island’s natural spaces; and for some, the need to conserve these areas for future generations is evident.

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Strengthening Conservation Through Collaboration

INT’s Vital Nonprofit Partnerships

Conservation is a collective effort that requires collaboration and active participation from various organizations and individuals. Island Nature Trust (INT) recognizes the importance of forging partnerships with like-minded organizations to achieve its mission of protecting Prince Edward Island’s natural heritage. These partnerships extend beyond shared goals; they represent a shared commitment to conservation and the collective responsibility we hold to safeguard our environment. By engaging with these organizations and amplifying their efforts on social media, individuals can play a vital role in advocating for nature and supporting INT’s conservation initiatives. Don’t forget to like, follow, and share content from these organizations on social media, and inform yourself by visiting their websites to stay updated on their latest initiatives and opportunities for involvement.

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The Judson Family: Honoring their vital land donation for coastal headland conservation 

Island Nature Trust (INT) relies significantly on land donations in protecting the natural landscapes of Prince Edward Island, particularly when these donations connect with existing protected areas. While financial support plays a crucial role in the Island Nature Trust’s mission to safeguard the island’s natural heritage, the donation of land stands as a testament and lasting commitment from individuals and families to protect the island’s ecological diversity.

We are excited to spotlight the remarkable generosity of the Judson family, who donated the 117-acre Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area in Alexandra. This donation aims to expand the already protected Crown Point headland, known as the 182-acre Crown Point – Wjikijek Natural Area. The latter faces threats of development due to its proximity to Charlottetown and Stratford, making it a focal point in recent conservation endeavors by the Island Nature Trust.

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INT Expands its ‘Corridors of Connectivity’ Mission with Generous Land Donation in Blooming Point

Island Nature Trust (INT) has reached a major milestone in its conservation efforts. With the recent donation of 15 acres by Bruce and Patricia Craig (pictured), INT’s total acquisitions of ecologically important land now exceeds the 10,000-acre mark. This contribution located in Blooming Point on the Old Bedford Road, not only expands connectivity for wildlife, but also strengthens conservation efforts and promotes the preservation of surrounding ecosystems.

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INT seeks donations from PEI landowners through its Add A Patch campaign

INT’s Add A Patch campaign launches with the hope to reach the goal of protecting10 per cent of PEI’s ecologically significant land, through generous donations of land. 

Since 1979, INT has been steadfast in its mission to acquire and protect ecologically significant land on Prince Edward Island. This is particularly challenging because 87 per cent of P.E.I. is privately owned, making it the highest per capita rate in Canada. 

This disproportionate ownership is the by-product of a 1770’s colonial land grab, where PEI, known then as the Island of St. John, was mapped and divided into 67 lots and townships. Hundreds of years later, these policy decisions continue to impact conservation efforts and stymie the Island Nature Trust’s overall goal of protecting 10 per cent of the Island’s land. 

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Artificial Intelligence for Island Community Conservation

In 2022 Island Nature Trust (INT) was awarded funding from RBC Foundation through RBC Tech for Nature to implement a technology-based project, “LandSteward: Artificial Intelligence for Island Community Conservation.” Through this project INT collaborated with Korotu Technology Inc. (Korotu) to create, launch, and pilot “LandSteward” – a cutting edge technology utilizing remote sensing data and artificial intelligence driven analysis tools to monitor changes in the landscape – allowing INT to explore ways that technology can help the organization achieve its vision of a network of protected areas across Prince Edward Island.

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