St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust have launched an urgent campaign to purchase and protect Troop Island. With over 85% of Nova Scotia’s coastline in private hands, and increasing pressures on these treasured islands, headlands and beaches, our coastal legacy is at risk. Yet an exciting opportunity exists to protect an important part of that legacy—St. Margaret’s Bay’s beautiful Troop Island. As many know, the island is for sale and has been subdivided into lots for future development. The SMBSA and the Nature Trust, have been working in the background and have successfully raised over 80% of the funds needed to purchase the island and are going out to the public to raise the remainder. Support has already come from HRM, the Province, Mountain Equipment Coop Land Acquisition Fund and private donors. For full details of the campaign please visit our website. This is an exciting chance to protect one of Nova Scotia’s most ecologically significant islands and a treasure in the bay that many have enjoyed for generations. To learn more or to make a donation please visit heartofthebay.ca/Islands/TroopIsland/tabid/114/Default.aspx or call Ella McQuinn at 823 1228. NS Nature Trust www.nsnt.ca