News release

Details on Potential Protected Areas Online

Environment (April 2008 - Feb. 2021)

Nova Scotians can help choose which lands should be protected as part of the province's 12 per cent plan, now that details on nearly 220,000 hectares of land are available online.

"Our province's protected areas are places where families can experience natural habitats and enjoy outdoor recreation," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. "We are encouraged by the high level of interest demonstrated so far, and we encourage Nova Scotians to visit the protected areas site and get involved in the selection process."

Comments will be incorporated into a draft plan, which will be released for provincewide consultation next year before final decisions are made.

The province has a legislated goal to legally protect 12 per cent of its land by 2015.

Written comments will be accepted until Dec. 1 at Department of Environment, Protected Areas Branch, Box 442, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2P8 and by e-mail at <protectedareas@gov.ns.ca.>

A discussion paper titled Our Wild Spaces, photos and descriptions of review lands can be viewed at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/12percent/ .