Province Protects More Wilderness Areas

Published by the departments of Environment and Natural Resources

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The province is making the largest addition to its protected areas system since 1998 with the designation of Kelley River and Raven Head in Cumberland County as the newest wilderness areas.

Quotes

Kelley River and Raven Head wilderness areas are significant additions to protected areas in Nova Scotia. This will preserve important forest, watersheds, fossil cliffs and habitat for a small population of endangered mainland moose and other species at risk. Cumberland North MLA Brian Skabar

The Kelley River and Raven Head wilderness areas will protect the living legacy of coastlines, forests, rivers and wetlands at the heart of Cumberland County, ensuring a vital future for the plant, animal and human communities who call this place home. Harry Thurston of Cumberland Wilderness

We want to thank the many volunteers and environmental organizations whose dedication to conservation made this day possible, as well as the government itself for its commitment to the province's natural heritage. Harry Thurston of Cumberland Wilderness

The government is doing a very good job on protected areas. It is to be commended for designating these two magnificent wilderness areas and, in so doing, moving closer to meeting the important 12 per cent land protection goal by 2015. We are delighted and encourage government to keep up the good work. Raymond Plourde, wilderness co-ordinator with the Ecology Action Centre

Chignecto is Nova Scotia's last big wilderness. By protecting this national treasure, with its vast Acadian forests and wild Bay of Fundy coastline, the province is demonstrating clear leadership in large landscape-level conservation planning and is taking a major step forward in protecting our natural areas. Chris Miller, national conservation biologist for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

Quick Facts

  • Cumberland North MLA Brian Skabar, on behalf of Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau and Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker, announced the new protected areas, in Amherst.
  • Twenty-three additions are also being made to nine existing wilderness areas. The new protected lands bring the province to 9.4 per cent of its goal to legally protect 12 per cent of lands by 2015.
  • The province worked closely with local, provincial and regional environmental organizations, off-highway vehicle groups, and others to plan the new wilderness areas.
  • The new wilderness areas will provide opportunities for recreation, camping, sportfishing, hunting, canoeing, education, research, community stewardship and other activities.
  • Some vehicle access will be permitted on existing forest access roads and trails.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Lori Errington
Department of Environment
902-424-7420
Cell: 902-497-7324
E-mail:
Bruce Nunn
Natural Resources
902-424-5239
Cell: 902-476-6454
E-mail:

Images

A person fly fishes on Tittle Lake, Waverly-Salmon River-Long Lake wilderness area in HRM.
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Driftwood sets in the water at Sand River, Raven Head wilderness area, near Joggins. (Photo by Irwin Barrett)
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Canoers paddle up Fish River, Ship Harvour-Long Lake wilderness area, HRM.
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Green algae rocks on the shore at Sand River Beach, Raven Head wilderness area, near Joggins.
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A fly fisherman stands in the water in Kelley River wilderness area, Cumberland County.
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An impressive rock face in Raven Head wilderness area, near Joggins.
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A photo of Kelley River wilderness area, Cumberland County.
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A spring maple frames a shot of Kelley River wilderness area, Cumberland County. (Photo by Irwin Barrett)
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Videos

Brian Skabar MLA for Cumberland North talks about the two new wilderness areas
Harry Thurston of Cumberland Wilderness
Stan Slack, Snowmobile association of Nova Scotia
Interview with Brian Skabar, MLA Cumberland County North
Interview with Ray Plourde, Ecology Action Centre
Interview with Harry Thurston of Cumberland Wilderness
Interview with Stan Slack of the Snowmobile association of Nova Scotia

Audio

MLA Brian Skabar talks about the two new wilderness areas
MLA Brian Skabar says this a major step toward protecting 12 per cent of Nova Scotia land.
Harry Thurston of Cumberland Wilderness says people are strongly attached to the areas and the coastline.
Stan Slack, Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia, says the government has met the organization's expectations.