NOTE: A list of newly designated and expanded parks and protected areas follows this release.

The Province has designated 1,267 more hectares of land in 16 parks and protected areas across Nova Scotia.

“Protecting more of our natural areas is one of the most effective ways we can fight climate change. Forests, wetlands and coastal ecosystems store carbon, protect us from floods and storms, and sustain a natural balance,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The Department of Natural Resources has designated 11 sites under the Provincial Parks Act. All are already managed as provincial parks. Some have basic infrastructure, while others have little to no infrastructure.

One new nature reserve, one expanded nature reserve and three expanded wilderness areas that include habitats for at-risk species have been designated by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Quotes:

“Nova Scotians and visitors love our provincial parks for their natural beauty and all the opportunities they offer to get out and explore the great outdoors. These newly designated parks will continue to provide spaces for outdoor recreation and education, while also supporting their surrounding communities with jobs and other economic activity.”
— Kim Masland, Minister of Natural Resources

Quick Facts:

Nova Scotia now has 136 parks designated under the Provincial Parks Act
wilderness areas are designated under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act and nature reserves under the Special Places Protection Act
the goal of protecting 20 per cent of Nova Scotia’s land and water by 2030 is outlined in the Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy
Nova Scotia’s protected areas conserve the province’s biodiversity, unique habitats, coastlines, and natural landscapes and features while providing places for people to connect with nature; they also play an essential role in fighting climate change

Additional Resources:

Nova Scotia parks: https://parks.novascotia.ca/

Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy: https://novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/docs/collaborative-protected-areas-strategy-en.pdf

More information about wilderness areas and nature reserves is available at: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/

Parks and protected areas plan: https://novascotia.ca/parksandprotectedareas/pdf/Parks-Protected-Plan.pdf

Natural Resources on X:
https://x.com/NS_DNR

Environment and Climate Change on X: https://x.com/ns_environment

List of designations:

Newly designated provincial parks:

Blue Sea Beach, Cumberland County; 177 hectares
Brule Shore, Colchester County; nine hectares
Cape Jack Beach, Antigonish County; 0.7 hectares
Fundy, Annapolis County; 56.5 hectares
Lower East Chezzetcook, Halifax County; 182 hectares
MacCormack, Victoria County; 4.3 hectares
Mickey Hill, Annapolis County; 72.8 hectares
Mount William, Halifax County; 27.7 hectares
Point Michaud Beach, Richmond County; 60 hectares
Port Shoreham Beach, Guysborough County; 39 hectares
Trout Brook, Inverness County; 7.4 hectares

Expanded wilderness areas:

Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Area, Guysborough County; an additional 238 hectares
Bonnet Lake Barrens Wilderness Area, Guysborough County; an additional 258 hectares
Bowers Meadows Wilderness Area, Shelburne County; an additional 48 hectares

New nature reserve:

Gros Nez Nature Reserve, Richmond County; 52 hectares

Expanded nature reserve:

Ashfield Nature Reserve, Inverness County; an additional 35 hectares

Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.