The heart of the conservation strategy is a system of new preserves linked to existing protected lands to form a network of protected lands outside the area where new urban growth has been planned to occur. The conservation strategy is designed to create a Preserve System that will:
Preserve approximately 23,800 - 30,300 acres of land for the benefit of covered species, natural communities, biological diversity and ecosystem function
Preserve major habitat connections linking existing protected lands
Enable management of habitats to enhance populations of covered species and maintain ecosystem processes
The Preserve System is currently comprised of 44properties, totaling over 12,000 acres of newly conserved land dedicated to the ECCC HCP/NCCP.