**** ENVIRONMENT Media Release
Province Seeking Input on Proposed Protected Wilderness Areas
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Environment Minister Gordon Wilson launched public consultations on six new protected areas today, Jan.10.
“Protected areas not only help preserve natural habitat, but allow great opportunities for recreation, education and research, and tourism,” said Mr. Wilson. “I’m looking forward to hearing what Nova Scotians have to say about the proposed new and expanded protected areas.”
In September, the province designated 17 new protected areas and promised more once consultation and survey work were complete.
Nova Scotians can have their say online by visiting https://novascotia.ca/parksandprotectedareas/.
Nova Scotians can also choose to submit their feedback to protectedareas@novascotia.ca, calling 902-476-4012, or by writing to: Protected Areas and Ecosystems – PO Box 442, Halifax, NS, B3J 2P8.
The deadline to provide feedback is March 9.
Quick Facts:
— the proposed new sites to be designated total about 8,000 hectares
— in September 2019, government announced 17 new designated protected areas across the province
— once the additional sites are designated, Nova Scotia will have 12.75 per cent protected land, or 705,000 hectares
Additional Resources:
Descriptions and locations of protected areas are available at: https://novascotia.ca/parksandprotectedareas/
The following proposed sites are going through consultation:
— addition to Silver River Wilderness Area, Digby Co.
— Katowe’katik (McGowan Lake) Wilderness Area, Queens and Annapolis counties
— addition to Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality
— addition to Terence Bay Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality
— Pleasant River Wilderness Area, Queens and Lunenburg counties
— Archibald Lake Wilderness Area, Guysborough Co.
These sites were promised in September and do not require consultation:
— St. Mary’s River Provincial Park, Guysborough and Pictou counties
— Barra Forest Provincial Park, Victoria Co.
— St. Margarets Bay Islands Nature Reserve, Halifax Regional Municipality
and Lunenburg Co.
— Peppered Moon Nature Reserve, Queens Co.
