Here in Nova Scotia we face several challenges to land protection
- 70 per cent of our lands are in private hands
- there are many competing demands for the use of provincial Crown lands
- land prices continue to rise – our government has a limited amount of money to buy land
- we are running out of opportunities to protect unique landscapes and features
Guiding principles for selection process
Leadership – As a government, we are committed to leading this process. We also recognize the leadership role of the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq, municipalities, industry, and non-government organizations.
Knowledge – We will use the best scientific information, and the knowledge of local communities and individuals.
Partnership and consultation – We want to hear from and work with everyone who is interested in protecting our wild spaces, particularly
- Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq
- other levels of government
- communities
- individual Nova Scotians
- industry
- non-governmental organizations
- private land trusts
Natural Values
Protected areas are needed to help maintain biodiversity. They give us clean air and water and habitat for wildlife. We want to protect the best natural areas in our province. One way to think about this is through a 4-Rs approach.
- Remote – areas in a mostly natural state with few human impacts
- Representative – examples of the full variety of lands in Nova Scotia
- Rich – places where plant and animal life flourish
- Rare – places with unique or rare landscapes, plants, or animals
Science helps us figure out the best way to protect these natural values. Much of the scientific work to identify important natural areas in Nova Scotia was done by the Colin Stewart Forest Forum, with assistance from the departments of Environment and Natural Resources. This work applied the 4-Rs approach to all provincial Crown land and lands owned by the participating forestry companies. You can learn more about the science-based approach by reading the Colin Stewart Forest Forum report (PDF: 2.5mb).
Social Values
Preserving biodiversity is the main reason for protecting land. But, we also need to consider how areas will be used and enjoyed.
For many, protected areas also provide a place to re-connect with nature, and find peace and quiet in a busy world.
Protected areas provide some of our province’s best outdoor recreation experiences. Hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing, and hunting are a few of the cherished ways we enjoy the land – protected areas help ensure that we have a place to keep doing these things in the future.
Protected areas also enhance Nova Scotia’s natural image for tourism, business, and economic development. They are important for education, research, and also inspire art and culture.
As we select new protected areas, we need to consider how people connect with nature.
Reducing conflict
People use land for many different things in our small province. Some of these uses, like settlement, agriculture, roads, forestry, mining, and energy development, don’t fit well with protected areas.
As we choose new protected areas, we need to consider all land uses. With good information, open discussion, and planning, most conflicts can be avoided. We need to pick the right areas, and design boundaries with all land uses in mind.
In some cases, we can find other ways to reduce conflict. For example, with help from the Colin Stewart Forest Forum we are finding creative ways to minimize the impact of land protection on the forest industry. In other cases, the government has entered into agreements to ensure important connector routes for off-highway vehicles (OHV) through a wilderness area are maintained.