J.D. Irving, Ltd. has designated 10,000 hectares of Acadian forest and shoreline for conservation in New Brunswick.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada says JDI dedicated the privately held land – which includes forest, coastline, and dunes in New Brunswick – so it can be recognized as an “other effective area-based conservation measure” (OECM).

The Convention on Biological Diversity defines an OECM as “a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem services.”

“We are proud to contribute to Canada’s biodiversity and conservation goals,” said JDI Co-CEO Jim Irving in a news release.

“These areas are some of the most unique areas on our lands and they demonstrate how well-managed forestry and conservation can coexist.”

The announcement was made during a conservation event held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Montreal on December 15.

“The lands held by Saint John-based JDI boast a variety of ecosystems, which provide habitat for animals like pine marten and endangered piping plover,” reads the release.

Catherine Grenier, Nature Conservancy of Canada’s president and CEO, praised the donation, noting it will halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

“Private landowners, such as J.D. Irving Ltd., are critical to the whole-of-society approach needed for Canada to reach its ambitious targets, including conserving 30 percent of the country’s lands and waters by 2030,” Grenier said.

“The Nature Conservancy of Canada applauds the leadership of J.D. Irving Ltd., which has the potential to encourage other large landowners to choose conservation.”

The lands that JDI donated are located across New Brunswick, from Irving Nature Park in West Saint John and the Bouctouche Dunes to Ayers Lake and the headwaters of the Miramichi and Restigouche Rivers.

The release notes that these are some of New Brunswick’s most biodiverse and unique areas.

The donated lands will be recognized by the federal Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

The release states OECMs provide conservation benefits but are not managed primarily for the protection of nature.

OECMs can be governed by private individuals or organizations, Indigenous and local communities – or governments.

Sam Macdonald is a reporter with Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.