Agreement with Nature Trust Extended

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust will continue to work with the province to ensure more Nova Scotia properties are protected and conserved for future generations.

The Department of Natural Resources and Nova Scotia Nature Trust confirmed today, March 12, that they are extending their lands and legacies conservation partnership for three more years.

"This is another example of the province's commitment to working with Nova Scotians to protect the areas we value most," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "It is critical that private-land owners be involved in protecting Nova Scotia's natural assets. The Nature Trust not only preserves outstanding natural areas, but helps empower citizens by educating them about how to protect nature on their land and how to engage in community stewardship of land."

"We are encouraged that the province recognizes and supports the crucial and complementary role the Nature Trust plays in land conservation in this province," said Bonnie Sutherland, executive director of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. "With a startling 70 per cent of Nova Scotia in private hands, we need effective private-land conservation to preserve the land and seascapes we all cherish. The Nature Trust, Nova Scotia's community-based, non-government land trust, is uniquely positioned to make such conservation happen."

Under the new agreement, the province will provide an additional $600,000 for the Nova Scotia Nature Trust to acquire $600,000 in properties of ecological significance for the Crown, before March 31, 2010. The Nature Trust will also complete at least another $600,000 worth of work on its own private-land acquisition program, as well as land stewardship and education initiatives. The Nature Trust raises the matching funding for these latter efforts through charitable donations and community support.

A partnership agreement between the province and the Nature Trust, which began in 2004 and was to have expired on March 31 of this year, had committed the province to a $300,000 investment and the Nature Trust to lands and conservation work totalling $600,000.

"Under this expanded agreement, the province is investing a total of $900,000 over six years to secure lands and conservation work totalling $1.8 million," said Mr. Morse. "In the end, though, the real benefits are much greater. Thanks to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust's commitment we have more awareness, more public support for conservation efforts, and more places to pursue healthy, active lifestyles, and to protect endangered species. And Nova Scotians are getting what they truly value -- a legacy they can pass on to their children."

"The Nature Trust is working with government, landowners and local communities to protect our most special places," said Ms. Sutherland. "We urge more Nova Scotians to get involved in saving the places they love -- before it is too late."

Information on the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and ways to become involved in private-land conservation is available on the Nature Trust website at www.nsnt.ca .