News release

Province Acquires Ecologically Significant Lands

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

NATURAL RESOURCES--Province Acquires Ecologically Significant Lands


A donation of 186 hectares -- 465 acres -- of land is helping Nova Scotia to fulfil its mandate of protecting and acquiring ecologically significant lands.

Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage announced today that Hiram and Kathleen Nelson of British Columbia recently donated the parcels of land at Cole Harbour, Halifax Co., to the Crown. The donation was facilitated by Ducks Unlimited Canada as part of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture program under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

"The donation of this land enables the province to preserve and protect the wildlife habitat and ecological integrity of the Cole Harbour-West Lawrencetown Coastal Heritage Park System," said Mr. Fage. "This land gives the province an increased level of management of Nova Scotia’s coastal-zone resources and helps to improve the quality of life in an increasingly urbanized area of the province."

The lands contain young forest and small wetlands, and are a significant habitat for birds and other wildlife. The site’s proximity to the coast also lends to its ecological significance.

An official transfer ceremony will be held in the summer with the placing of a cairn on site recognizing the Nelsons for their donation.