e Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is welcoming the federal government's plan to make major investments over the next five years to protect Canada's parks, wild spaces, aquatic systems, and species at risk.

The announcement was made in this week's federal budget and earmarks 1.3 billion dollars for the program.

"It's good news and certainly confirms the federal government's commitment to conserving biodiversity, species at risk and delivering on Canada's target one which is a pledge to protect 17 percent of land and inland waters and 10 percent of our marine coastal areas by the end of the decade," said Kevin Teneycke, director of conservation in Manitoba for NCC.

Part of the new money announced in the federal budget will go to the creation of a $1-billion Nature Fund, which will involve other partners. Half of the funds will come from Ottawa, while the provinces, territories, corporations, not-for-profits and private donors will contribute the other $500-million.

The new nature fund is also expected to open up some creative new partnerships and assist the NCC in expanding its work with community land trust groups and indigenous organizations.

Teneycke said they're not sure how much funding NCC projects in Manitoba will receive, but he's confident they'll get their fair share.

"We've had a long-standing partnership with the federal government and NCC Manitoba has been quite active in delivering results to the Natural Areas Conservation program and our hope is that will continue so that we can capitalize on this great opportunity."