The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is increasing the amount of land under its protection on the Island with the purchase of 141 acres in Abrams Village, P.E.I.

The land consists of two properties at the mouth of the Haldimand River, encompassing intact salt marshes and coastal forests.

The total cost of the purchase, including legal fees, staff time and setting up an endowment to cover maintenance expenses, came to approximately $225,000.

Of the 141 acres 49 are intact salt marshes which, according to the NCC, are rare on P.E.I. covering only one per cent of Island land.

According to the group, intact salt marshes are some of the most valuable and productive ecosystems in the world.

An aerial view of some of the land the Nature Conservancy of Canada purchased in Abrams Village. (Sean Landsman/Nature Conservancy of Canada)

"The Abram's Village salt marsh is a rare undisturbed habitat, and we are thrilled to be able to protect it," said Julie Vasseur, P.E.I. program director for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

"NCC is not only conserving this critical ecosystem, we are protecting an important part of P.E.I.'s history."

The project is part of the Government of Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program and got support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.