Sackville River – Lewis Lake
Sackville River – Lewis Lake is a promised protected area in Upper Sackville that serves as an outdoor playground for local residents to walk, bike, canoe, hunt and fish. It occurs on 1,600 acres of public lands and is important for conservation as one of the last remaining pieces of intact wilderness in the area.
The Nova Scotia government committed to protecting Sackville River – Lewis Lake back in 2013 through the Nova Scotia Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan. Years later, however, the Upper Sackville community is still waiting for this site to receive legal protection.
All that’s needed is a signature from the Nova Scotia government to officially designate a protected wilderness area at Sackville River – Lewis Lake. It’s Upper Sackville’s turn!
CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE
- Last remaining intact wilderness in Upper Sackville
- Important site for ecological connectivity – included in the Halifax Green Network Plan
- Within the Sackville River watershed
- Species-at-risk habitat for Atlantic salmon and wood turtles
- Diverse forest and wetland ecosystems
- Landscape representation of the unique Sackville Drumlins
- Recreational opportunities for community: walking, biking, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, hunting, trapping, etc.
- Nature education opportunities for nearby Lewis Lake Girl Guides Camp
- Nature-based tourism potential for local businesses
WHAT CPAWS-NS IS DOING
CPAWS-NS has partnered with the Sackville Rivers Association to establish a protected wilderness area at Sackville River – Lewis Lake. We completed fieldwork on foot and by bike at the site, advocated for its protection in meetings with the Nova Scotia government and hosted information booths and presentations to raise awareness about this future wilderness area in the community.
RESOURCES
EXPLORING THE FUTURE SACKVILLE RIVER – LEWIS LAKE PROTECTED AREA