Chignecto Isthmus Wilderness Area, located in Cumberland County 10 km northeast of the Town of Amherst, makes a significant contribution to the protection of a key wilderness corridor between Nova Scotia and the rest of North America. It also improves protection of the Town of Amherst’s Water Supply Area, highlighting the value of cooperation in conservation through the voluntary designation of a portion of this municipal water supply area.

Chignecto Isthmus Wilderness Area includes a variety of ecosystems and habitats including bogs, fens, and upland coniferous and mixed-wood forests. This area is part of the land bridge by which many of Nova Scotia’s plant and animal species colonized the province after de-glaciation 10,000 years ago. The Chignecto Isthmus continues to be Nova Scotia’s most important ecological connection to the rest of the continent. This new wilderness area is also adjacent to (but does not include) a section of the historic Chignecto Ship Railway.

The new wilderness area is on private land owned by the Town of Amherst. These lands are part of the town’s protected water supply area. Early in 2008 the Town of Amherst approached Nova Scotia Environment with a proposal to designate these lands. While the Town of Amherst has been able to use some land-use controls to protect the quality and quantity of water supplying their waterworks, they are now extending a higher level of protection through a wilderness area designation. This also provides opportunities for the mutual benefits of protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. Chignecto Isthmus Wilderness Area covers roughly one third of the protected water area.

• Map of Chignecto Isthmus Wilderness Area (PDF: 1.3mb)
• Read the government news release
• Wilderness Areas: Frequently Asked Questions