Nature Conservancy sets priorities for Maritimes

A six-year project to identify natural areas in the Maritimes that need protection has singled out several beaches, dunes and wetland systems on Prince Edward Island.

The Island areas were cited for their biodiversity and fragile nature in a report released Thursday by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

"We've always known where a lot of these are. We've not gone at it in a systematic way," said Diane Griffin, P.E.I. chair of the Nature Conservancy.

"What we're saying on behalf of the Nature Conservancy is we're looking at those that could be considered as nationally significant and those are the areas we are going to make our priorities to protect in Prince Edward Island."

The Conservancy, a non-profit agency, said the release of a report is the beginning of a new push for environmental protection.