I’m very proud to rise today to share how the government of Ontario, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, is protecting our flora and fauna and expanding nature preserves all across Ontario, just like in my own Hastings–Lennox and Addington’s Napanee plain.

The Napanee plain is a unique formation of alvars, wetlands and karst formations. For those who don’t know those terms, alvars have thin or almost no soil covering over a limestone shelf, and by their nature are home to hundreds of rare plant and animal species due to the seasonal variability.

Karst caves and crevices are created when water erodes that limestone underpinning the alvar. Karst ecosystems, like alvars, also support a huge variety of rare plants and animals in some very unique habitats.

I grew up playing in alvar and karst formations. I was fascinated by the breadth of wildlife in that cracked limestone and the huge number of fossils in the exposed limestone sheets.

I’m thrilled to say that the Napanee plain has recently been expanded by 81 hectares to include the Stoco Karst Forest. This new nature preserve provides a natural buffer for the nearby Stoco Fen Provincial Park; a 350-hectare reserve class provincial park located east of Tweed. By connecting with this large forest, we will preserve and sustain some wide-ranging animals like black bear or moose. The expansion will also help to provide flood protection and natural water purification for downstream rural residents and even communities such as Belleville or Deseronto.

I want to express my appreciation to the Minister of Environment, Conservations and Parks for the support of these projects.