Nova Scotia: Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan
The Nova Scotia government has a long-standing commitment to expand Nova Scotia’s network of protected and conserved areas. The Nova Scotia: Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan was released in 2013, yet over a decade later, there are still over 100 pending protected areas awaiting legal designation.
These sites are found throughout the province and contain rivers, coastlines, beaches, wetlands, rare ecosystems, and some of the province’s last old growth forests. They encompass important cultural sites, habitat for species at risk, paddle and portage routes, and they are special places for people to explore and connect with nature.
Where we Are Now
The Nova Scotia Government has stated that it remains committed to the full implementation of the Nova Scotia: Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan. In October 2023, the federal and provincial governments signed the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement, which provides $28.5 million in federal funding for conservation and requires the Nova Scotia Government to protect 82,500 hectares of land by March 31st 2026.
It has been more than a year since the provincial government has released a batch of new protected areas, and time is running out to meet the land protection commitments in the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement.
Moving Forward
Where are these promised protected areas? Urgent action is needed now. The provincial government must fully implement the Nova Scotia: Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan by clearing backlog of pending protected areas without further delay.
Nova Scotia: Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan