Sudbury contributes land to federally protected areas database

Politicians, environmentalists and Indigenous representatives gathered Thursday to announce Sudbury’s contribution to Canada’s 30 by 30 goal.

Rain didn’t dim the light on the unveiling of Lake Laurentian’s Conservation Area being added to the federally protected areas database.

“Today, Sudbury announced that it is providing over 3,000 hectares of land towards the federal government’s goal of ... 30 by 30,” said Sudbury MP Viviane LaPointe.

“This is a very significant move by Sudbury -- and it is just so fitting because we know that Sudbury’s legacy is very well known in biodiversity and in the restoration of lands.”

Canada is No. 2 on the list of countries that contain 94 per cent of the world’s remaining wilderness. The federal government has several strategies to conserve the land, including protecting 30 per cent of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer that the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area could be added to the national target,” said Carl Jorgensen, the general manager of Conservation Sudbury.

“It’s very much our ability to take a local step that adds to a national, overall objective. So it’s really a really good feeling to be able to do something locally that adds to a larger target.”

Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre said the city is the first in Canada to contribute municipal land and water to the initiative.

‘It’s been far too long’

“We have a lot to contribute,” Lefebvre said.

The 30 by 30 project highlights the importance of including Indigenous knowledge and voices in conservation efforts.

“It’s been far too long that we haven’t been included in all aspects of such rich growth, celebrated successes,” said elder Jim Eskawkogan.

“Many of us live here, shop here, support Sudbury, and I’m really happy to be here today to do that.”

Lefebvre said having Indigenous voices involved in conservation efforts is “key.”

“We have a lot of experience in Sudbury of (regreening the) landscape, but indigenous voices were not really part of that,” he said.

“But I believe as we move forward with this initiative, it’s key to really integrate them.”

Thursday’s announcement also shines a light on Sudbury’s advancements in land reclamation years after the devastating effects of pollution from mining.

“It is decisions like this that really concretely establish Sudbury as a global leader in re-greening, in understanding the importance of biodiversity, and in working in partnership to make some huge and significant changes,” Lapointe said.

The City of Greater Sudbury, Conservation Sudbury and Ontario Nature are part of the initiative. AY Jackson Lookout and High Falls, Feilding Memorial Park, Moonlight Beach, Centennial Park, Terry Fox Sports Complex, Lily Creek, among others, are part of the 3,057 hectares of land for the 30x30 federal goal.