Land Conservation Agreement Signed

Nova Scotians will soon see more wilderness conservation, thanks to a new partnership agreement.

Richard Hurlburt, Minister of Natural Resources, and Martin Janowitz, president of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (Nature Trust), announced the new land conservation agreement today, April 7.

The Lands and Legacies Conservation Partnership enables the province to provide the Nature Trust with $300,000 over a three- year period. In return, the Trust will transfer to the province lands with an appraised market value of no less than $300,000.

The lands transferred to the province will be private lands located within areas designated, or proposed to be designated, under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act and the Special Places Protection Act or similar conservation legislation.

"By combining the resources of both organizations, we are able to acquire lands in ecologically significant natural areas for conservation and preservation purposes," said Mr. Hurlburt. "This agreement is a powerful tool for securing a land base, which will benefit existing and future generations of Nova Scotians."

The Trust will also buy land or work with private landowners to secure donations of land and conservation easements. A conservation easement allows the landowner to restrict activities and developments on their land to protect the natural environment. Such easements become part of the legal land title and remain in place for future owners. These lands will be owned and managed by the Trust.

As part of the agreement, the organization will also provide land management and education programs, designed to promote awareness among private landowners about the ecological significance of their lands and options for conservation.

"The Lands and Legacies Conservation Partnership is an excellent step forward for land conservation in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Janowitz. "With over three quarters of the province in private ownership, including many of our most unique and outstanding natural areas, the approach taken by the Nature Trust is critical for effective conservation of our natural heritage. The government's support for the Nova Scotia Nature Trust is timely and vital."

The Trust is the only provincial organization focused exclusively on protecting Nova Scotia's natural legacy through private land conservation. The Trust works with private landowners and other partners to protect significant natural areas throughout the province. They protect these lands primarily through acquisition and conservation easements. The Trust also develops and implements campaigns and projects to identify and protect places of unique environmental value and to educate Nova Scotians on how to provide care and management of their lands.