The Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Alberta Government and the family of former Premier Jim Prentice are announcing a campaign to protect and support a wildlife corridor in Crowsnest Pass.

The corridor will be named after him, and the Alberta Government will be granting the NCC 1 million dollars to purchase the land which they aim to protect.

The five kilometre "Jim Prentice Wildlife Corridor" is situated between Coleman and Crowsnest lake, connects several adjacent parks, and acts as a natural pathway for wildlife traveling through the Rocky Mountains in Canada and the USA.

Recently, traffic on Highway 3 has been increasing, leading to larger number of animal mortality rates.

Regional Vice President of the NCC Bob Demulder says, they aim to reduce those rates, by implementing a structure that will reduce vehicle accidents.

"Eventually, we hope to reduce collisions between animals and vehicles by having a wildlife crossing structure installed on the corridor lands, therefore making this corridor a safer place for people and for animals."

Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips says naming the corridor after Prentice is a well deserved tribute to his legacy.

“During his time as federal environment minister, Jim Prentice oversaw the largest expansion of the national parks system since it was founded in 1911. He knew how vital our wild spaces are, and naming the wildlife corridor after him is a fitting tribute to a man who truly loved and respected nature.”

Jim Prentice served as Alberta's 16th Premier and tragically lost his life in a plane crash on October 13, 2016.

 

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