Nature Conservancy of Canada protects an additional 157 hectares on Nova Scotia’s South Shore
Today, the Nature Conservancy (NCC) announced the protection of two new sites along the southwestern shores of Nova Scotia. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has finalized the purchase of 110 hectares here and has also received a partial land donation of over 47 hectares along the Port Joli Peninsula.
The newly conserved habitats are comprised of salt marshes, tidal flats, white sandy beaches and stretches of intact Wabanaki (Acadian) forest. Two important species being protected are the provincially endangered Nova Scotia mainland moose and piping plover, listed as endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act. Nearby are four federally established Migratory Bird Sanctuaries that support thousands of breeding and overwintering waterfowl.
These important land conservation projects were made possible thanks to the generosity of private donors, including area residents and businesses. The project was funded in part by the Government of Canada's Target 1 Challenge Fund, through the Government of Canada, the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
A portion of this project was donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. This program provides enhanced tax incentives for individuals or corporations who donate ecologically significant land.
With the addition of these two properties, NCC now conserves and stewards a network of 787 hectares in Port Joli. Its efforts here have been guided by working in partnership with local landowners. These properties are all in close proximity to Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, Port l’Hebert Nature Reserve, Port l’Hebert Provincial Park and Kejimikujik Seaside Adjunct National Park. which together support significant wildlife populations.
Projects such as this one are a testament to NCC’s leadership in accelerating the pace of conservation in Canada. In the past two years alone, the organization has influenced the protection of more than 1 million hectares (almost twice the size of Prince Edward Island), coast to coast to coast. Over the next few years, NCC will double its impact by mobilizing Canadians and delivering permanent, large-scale conservation.
In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation. The Nature Conservancy of Canada believes when nature thrives, we all thrive.
"Thanks to our donors and supporters, we are thrilled to add these two ecological gems in what is truly a beautiful part of Nova Scotia. Private land conservation projects like these are often located in very sensitive environmental areas. Port Joli is a special place for wildlife, plants and people, and we are delighted to keep filling in important pieces of the conservation puzzle and making sure these sites are here for today and for future generations." – Jaimee Dupont Morozoff, NCC Program Director in Nova Scotia
"As a child, I had fields and forests all around where my brothers, sister and I could explore and enjoy in so many ways. Not so many years went by before those fields and forests soon sprouted houses and gates and “No trespassing” signs. It is a story told over and over. In the early 1970s, my wife and I found our way to Nova Scotia. Shortly thereafter we found an old home, built about 1850, surrounded by fields and forests. This became our new home. Through mostly luck, I was able over the years pick up several hundred acres of wild lands for which speculators could find no takers. These lands, mine and others now in the hands of NCC, will remain open to enjoy for many years to come, for appreciation, for recreation and for protecting biodiversity." – Dirk van Loon, land donor
“A special thanks to the generous Canadians who are taking leadership to protect more natural spaces and species at risk with help from valued partners such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This kind of leadership and collaboration are helping us progress toward our goal of conserving 25% of the land and oceans in Canada by 2025, as we address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.” – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Land conservation is essential for Nova Scotia’s environmental health, economic growth and prosperity, and ensuring a sustainable future for our province. Protecting this area will provide climate resiliency and human benefits for generations. I want to commend the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the donors for their work to protect this special place. Their leadership, vision and generosity is an inspiration to others to learn more about the benefits of donating to support land conservation.” – The Honourable Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Facts
- Port Joli is an important feeding and nesting area for shorebirds, such as piping plover, black-bellied plover and willet, and waterfowl such as harlequin duck and black duck.
- The forests here feature several wet softwood habitats and are home to a significant population of uncommon and rare lichen, including the globally rare, nationally and provincially listed endangered boreal felt lichen, vole ears lichen and the provincially threatened blue felt lichen, which is a species of special concern.
About
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country's unifying force for nature. We seek solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate chnage through large-scale, permanent land conservation. NCC is a registered charity. With nature, we build a thriving world.
In Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada’s Target 1 Challenge funding flows through the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change to conservation organizations and other partners to protect natural areas in the province. The partners include the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq, Sespite'tmnej Kmitkinu Conservancy, Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission, Town of Amherst and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland. The Province can also use this federal funding for its land protection work.
To learn more about the Government of Canada's Ecological Gifts Program, visit the Ecological Gifts Program website.
To learn more about NCC’s work in Nova Scotia and how to contribute, visit: https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/nova-scotia/
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