Nature Conservancy of Canada
Shell Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) have been ‘natural partners’ in land conservation projects for 30 years.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) works closely with all levels of government, and many organizations, including Shell, to protect natural areas and the species they sustain across Canada. As a supporter of NCC’s conservation program, Shell has contributed more than $6.5 million in financial resources, land and mineral rights to NCC over the past 30 years.
From coast to coast, Shell has provided NCC with resources to help conserve special lands and endangered ecosystems. Preserving the richness and diversity of biological life (biodiversity) is expected by society and is important for truly sustainable development. Shell also values wise land stewardship because the company’s success is in part dependent on the land. Following are examples of NCC projects Shell has supported.
Conservation Projects Supported
Some of the past projects that received Shell Canada's contributions were:
- Shaughnessy Cohen Memorial Savanna, Pelee Island, Ontario
- La Fabrique, Île de Grâce, Québec
- Elkington Property (Garry Oaks ecosystem), Vancouver Island, B.C.
- Tabusintac Lagoon, New Brunswick
- Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
- Cross Conservation Area, Alberta
- Big Hill Springs, Alberta
- Francis Nose Island, Nova Scotia
- MacFarlane Woods, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Other Shell Contributions
In 1997, Shell Canada was one of four oil companies to relinquish mineral rights to 320,000 acres off the west coast of Canada. This was the first step to establish the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation.
Celebrating Canada's 125th birthday in 1992, Shell donated 22,100 acres of land to establish the Mount Broadwood Heritage Conservation Area. Grizzly bear, elk and big horn sheep are some of the species that roam this area, described by the NCC as a "wildlife paradise.” This land donation was valued at over $1.8 million.
In 2001, Shell took a creative approach to support by providing $250,000 for research and a three-year land conservation position for NCC. The Land Conservation Representative secured properties and conservation easements valued at $8 million. This resulted in much greater gains for conservation than a more traditional contribution towards the purchase of land.
In 2016 Shell gifted NCC with over 860,000 hectares of offshore exploratory permits in the waters of Baffin Bay, near Lancaster Sound to support government and Inuit aspirations to expand a proposed conservation area off the coast of Nunavut. When completed, Tallarutiup Imanga will be the largest marine conservation area in Canada, preserving vital marine ecosystem while allowing people to use the area in an ecologically sustainable manner.
In 2018, Shell voluntarily released to NCC about 50,000 km2 of exploratory permits off coastal British Columbia to support marine conservation. More than one and a half times the size of Vancouver Island, the acreage is located in the Queen Charlotte and Tofino basins covering vast and environmentally rich areas.
Ducks Unlimited
Shell has been a supporting partner of Ducks Unlimited since 1986.
In that time we have worked with them on a number of conservation initiatives, supporting the conservation of wetlands across the country.
In 2013 Shell and Ducks Unlimited developed a biodiversity tool that has led to the ongoing development of an exciting new tool that can be used to more accurately assess impacts on wetlands, including information on carbon accumulation, biodiversity and other areas.
Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch was also established in 2013, with the help of Ducks Unlimited. The nearly 6,000 acres property is located one hour southeast of Calgary. The land is used for breeding, migration or wintering by 159 bird species. It includes 4,130 acres of pristine, native grasslands, as well as an additional 1,769 acres of tame hay lands.
Tree Canada
Shell has supported Tree Canada since 1998, supporting programs to maintain a healthy environment through sustaining urban and rural forests. Since partnering, we’ve planted over 2 million trees together!
Since 1998, this partnership has resulted in over 2 million trees being planted, sequestration of over one million tonnes of CO2 (based on estimations) and the initiation of 38 diverse projects. In 2011 the Shell received Tree Canada’s Ultimate Award, recognizing partners who have contributed more than $1 million towards the stewardship of trees with Tree Canada.
Together Shell and Tree Canada have:
- Helped restore habitat when ice storms ravaged Eastern Canada in 1998 and windstorms swept through Vancouver’s Stanley Park in 2006.
- Completed schoolyard greening at nearly 70 Canadian schools, which beautify school grounds and provide shelter to children from harmful UV rays.
- Undertaken urban forest plantings within the City of Calgary.
- Enhanced the Fort Saskatchewan's river valley through various projects, including three tree plantings as part of a three-year, $400,000 social investment celebrating Scotford's 30th Anniversary.
