Nova Scotia Designates New Nature Reserve

Nova Scotia will designate a new nature reserve to protect and preserve more of the province's ecological features, wildlife, and natural heritage.

The Crown land in the Blandford Game Sanctuary in Lunenburg County will be granted further protections and designated the Blandford Nature Reserve.

This nature reserve designation, under the Special Places Protection Act, will give the 320 hectares of Crown land the province's highest level of protection for plants and wildlife. Hunting, camping, and development activities such as forestry and mining will be prohibited. Access will be restricted to visitors on foot.

It will be the province's 16th nature reserve.

Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent made the announcement at a ceremony today, May 11, in Hubbards with David Morse, Minister of Natural Resources, provincial and municipal officials, community groups, and local residents.

"This designation will give increased, permanent protection to the unique and sensitive natural features of these Crown lands. I believe that is important to the people of this region, and to all Nova Scotians," said Mr. Parent.

The Blandford Nature Reserve will protect a rare coastal jack pine ecosystem and a number of provincially rare plant and lichen species. The site is also a relatively large natural area near the coast, in a region where housing development is rapidly expanding.

The nature reserve designation was reached in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources, which worked to protect the area's unique natural features over the years. In 1959, the area became a gamebird sanctuary.

"I am pleased that the interdepartmental work of reviewing our game sanctuaries and assessing the natural values within these Crown lands has helped to make this announcement possible," said Mr. Morse.

The designation moves the province closer to meeting its goal of legally protecting 12 per cent of Nova Scotia's land by 2015. That goal is one of more than 20 commitments included in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act enacted in March.

The act aims to help make Nova Scotia internationally recognized for having one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.

The province is committed to continue adding land to Nova Scotia's protected-area system.