Strategy Sustains Environment, Economy

NOTE: A social media version of this release, with hi-res, downloadable photos, audio and video clips is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2011-08-16-Natural-Resources-Strategy . More photos will be added after the event.

Nova Scotia's natural resources strategy will improve resource management and sustainable practices in the province, while creating good jobs.

"The strategy is a balanced approach to natural resources management, inspired by a vision of a sustainable and prosperous future — a vision described to us by Nova Scotians and reflected in jobsHere, the province's economic plan," said Charlie Parker, Minister of Natural Resources.

Our Path to Share, A Natural Resources Strategy for Nova Scotia, 2011–2020, released today, Aug. 16, was guided by an independent steering panel.

More than 2,000 Nova Scotians provided input into the strategy, as well as more than 700 written submissions. The strategy will be a guide for improved management of Nova Scotia's biodiversity – the complex mix of all living things – and of forests, geological resources and provincial parks.

The province has accepted the steering panel's 26 recommendations and has already begun implementing the strategy. A companion document, From Strategy to Action, lays out how the strategy will begin to be implemented over the next 24 months. It includes actions to:

• improve legislation, including laws that help manage biodiversity, forest regulations, and the Mineral Resources Act
• provide job training for the forestry sector
• develop a Code of Practice, a set of principles, guidelines and technical recommendations for the sustainable management of Nova Scotia's forests
• review and reallocate resources so more species at risk can be recovered
• conduct research into how to best reclaim land affected by mining operations
• help publish a Mi'kmaq interpretative plan for provincial parks to increase awareness and understanding of Mi'kmaq heritage and culture
• carry out a detailed visitor survey to collect information on the park system

"Our steering panel is pleased to see government bring forward a strategy that reflects what we heard from four panels of expertise and input from Nova Scotians," said retired Chief Justice Constance Glube, steering panel chair. "It reflects a commitment to changing the status quo, and the necessary balancing to ensure healthy and sustainable natural resources for future generations." Other panel members were Joe Marshall and Allan Shaw.

The province's natural resources strategy and action plan is available at www.gov.ns.ca/natr .