Cobequid Hills

Dr. George Cook Nature Reserve (Photo by Mike Dembeck)

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has conserved a mature hardwood forest in the Cobequid Hills of central Nova Scotia, which provides vital habitat for many species of wildlife, including endangered mainland moose.

This 366-hectare (904-acre) property is located halfway between Tatamagouche and Truro, in the headwaters of the French River. For many years the landowner, Dr. George Cook, ran a thriving sugar maple operation here. His sons generously agreed to donate this outstanding property, now called the Dr. George Cook Nature Reserve, to NCC to be protected for the long term.

As well as being excellent habitat for moose and other large mammals, this property is valuable for conservation because it is home to a healthy, uneven-aged, diverse forest, with many old sugar maple and hardwood trees. Sections of the property where there are steep ravines support hemlock and red spruce that are more than 100 years old — a rarity in Nova Scotia.