CPAWS welcomes land protection at Brigadoon

Published on Apr 28 2014

AYLESFORD LAKE – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) welcomes today’s announcement by the Nova Scotia government that it has purchased lands on Aylesford Lake adjacent to Brigadoon Village.

Brigadoon is a non-profit recreational facility that delivers camp programming to children, youth, and families living with chronic illness, chronic conditions, or special need across Atlantic Canada.

“This is really great news,” says Chris Miller, National Conservation Biologist for CPAWS. “The Nova Scotia government is to be congratulated for purchasing and protecting these lands, and ensuring that the wonderful kids at Brigadoon will always have a wilderness playground nearby to explore, enjoy, and just have fun.”

The lands on Aylesford Lake were recommended for protection in the final report of the Colin Stewart Forest Forum, submitted to the Nova Scotia government in 2009.  The property contains important lakeshore habitat, and several stands of naturally-occurring red pine forest.  The biggest value of the property, however, is its close proximity to Brigadoon and the opportunity it provides for the kids of Brigadoon to get outside and enjoy nature.

“It’s nice to see the Nova Scotia government following through on such a worthy cause”, says Miller. “And we’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at Brigadoon who has worked so hard over many years to develop this amazing facility and to create a place where children dealing with chronic illness can come together, make new friends, enjoy the outdoors, and just be themselves”.

According to the government press release, the province acquired 240 hectares of land at Aylesford Lake for $850,000.  The Nova Scotia government also announced today that it has purchased additional private lands for conservation across the province, including sites at Eigg Mountain, Tracadie River, McGowan Lake, Cape North, Musquodoboit Harbour, and Baccarro, to protect old-growth forests and species-at-risk habitat.

More information about Brigadoon Village can be found here:
http://www.brigadoonvillage.org/