The Nature Conservancy of Canada is commending the provincial government for releasing the long-awaited draft protected areas plan for the province.

A public consultation process has also been launched.

“A Home for Nature: Protected Areas Plan for the Island of Newfoundland” has been 30 years in the making.

A lack of progress in the lengthy process prompted the resignation of two key members of the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) earlier this year.

Ecologists Victoria Neville and Bill Montevecchi resigned in January.

Program Director with the Nature Conservancy of Canada,Megan Lafferty, says she’s pleased to see government taking what she calls “this important step.” She also commended past and present members of WERAC for their “dedicated work” on the plan over many years.