Identifying new protected areas for Nova Scotia

Protected areas are places where families can go to enjoy nature. They support research and education, and are part of what makes Nova Scotia such a great place to live. Protecting land leaves a natural legacy for future generations.

Our wild spaces give us clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. They also help to lessen the effects of climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Fish, wildlife and plants can also thrive in their natural habitats.

In 2007, government passed legislation that commits to protecting 12 per cent of Nova Scotia’s land by 2015. We’re making good progress, but we still have work to do. These webpages will help you understand why we need to protect our land and what you can do to help.

What do we mean when we say "protect"?

When we protect our land, we keep it natural. Protected lands in Nova Scotia are areas for people to enjoy that are free from development.

There are no homes, no factories or farms. The trees are left to grow, die, and feed the forest in a natural life cycle. When we refer to protected “land” we also mean lakes and rivers.

Not all types of protected areas are the same. Most of the lands that will be protected through this process will become wilderness areas, nature reserves, or provincial parks. Each of these protected area designations prohibit resource extraction and land development. However, they have slightly different purposes and rules, such as for hunting and operating a motorized vehicle.

Related Information

• Quick facts: Campsite Leases and Access to Private Land (PDF: 261k)
• Quick facts: Vehicle Use and Access (PDF: 267k)

"Miamuj maliaptemu'kw msit Mi'kma'kik, mita wetapeksi'kw aq weji mimajultikw. Klo'tmuanej ujit elmi'knikewak." Mi'kmaq

"We must take care of all of Mi'kma'kik because we grew out of it and survive from it. Let us keep it for those of the future." English

International Union for Conservation of Nature Definition

Reaching 12 per cent

To some, it may not seem like enough, but 12 per cent is an ambitious goal. Most of the land in Nova Scotia is in private hands. For generations, people here have owned and developed land and built communities.

We will continue to need our land to build our homes and our economy. We will still farm, fish, cut wood, use the natural energy from the sun, wind, and tides, and mine our underground resources. We also need wild spaces.

That is why the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act 2007, sets a goal of protecting 12 per cent of the land in Nova Scotia by 2015. Sustainable prosperity means a healthy environment, healthy people, and a healthy economy go hand in hand.

Why 12 Percent?

Twelve per cent is rooted in the World Commission on Environment and Development’s 1987 Report - Our Common Future. In Canada, 12 per cent was promoted by the 1989 World Wildlife Fund’s Endangered Spaces Campaign. In 1992, the figure was part of a commitment by federal and provincial ministers to complete Canada's network of protected areas. Science tells us that a higher percentage is needed to fully protect biodiversity. Twelve per cent is a meaningful goal that we can achieve in Nova Scotia.