News release

Nature Reserve Protects Important Cape Breton Lands

Environment (April 2008 - Feb. 2021)

The province is protecting more than 24 hectares of natural habitat and valuable shoreline along Bras d'Or Lake.

Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau announced the creation of the Mary Harper Nature Reserve today, Oct. 12.

"I'm pleased that we are protecting a beautiful and important piece of our province," said Mr. Belliveau. "I congratulate the Bras d'Or Preservation Nature Trust for their efforts to preserve this land and its wildlife for future generations."

The Mary Harper Nature Reserve lies between Highway 105 and Bras d'Or Lake, between Nyanza and Baddeck. It is named for the property owner who donated the land to the Bras d'Or Preservation Nature Trust in 1993. The trust requested it be designated as a nature preserve.

"This is wonderful news," said Grosvenor Blair of the Bras d'Or Preservation Nature Trust. "The designation of these lands as a provincial nature reserve is a very fitting tribute to Mary Harper and her love of Bras d'Or Lake."

A nature reserve is the highest form of legal protection that can be placed on conservation land. The land will continue to be owned by the trust.

The 24.3 hectares of protected land brings Nova Scotia closer to meeting its goal to legally protect 12 per cent of its land by 2015.

Consultation to choose which lands should be considered to meet the goal is ongoing. For more information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent .