Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. From the steep canyon slopes of the Margaree River to the sand dunes of Sand Hills Beach, Nova Scotia’s parks and protected areas support recreation, tourism, research, and education.

They also preserve nature, and offer us a place to escape, be adventurous, and just have fun. And they make a big impact on local economies, providing jobs and attracting visitor dollars in nearby communities.

Our Parks and Protected Areas: A Plan for Nova Scotia will ensure that important natural areas across the province continue to thrive. The plan delivers on two important government commitments:

1. Update Nova Scotia's park system to secure and strengthen its long-term success
2. Increase Nova Scotia’s legally protected landmass to at least 12 per cent by 2015

Land Protection

Legal and survey work is needed to legally protect each site. As this work is completed, sites will be designated by Executive Council and listed in this table. You can also check out our interactive map to see the location of new sites as well as existing parks and protected areas.

Recent Progress

The most recent additions to the province’s parks and protected areas system were announced in March, 2017. Three new wilderness area sites and 12 new nature reserve sites add more than 7,000 hectares of protected land in nine different counties, bringing us closer to meeting our goal of protecting 13% of Nova Scotia. With the addition of these sites, about 12.39% of Nova Scotia is now legally protected.