Amendments to Help Designate Nature Reserves

Nova Scotians will be enjoying more new nature reserves sooner with proposed amendments to the Special Places Protection Act, introduced today, April 21.

"We've committed in our green plan to protect more of Nova Scotia's natural environment, and these amendments will help," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash. "They'll make it easier for us to designate new nature reserves that Nova Scotians will enjoy for generations to come."

Nature reserves preserve and protect typical and special ecosystems, plants and animals. They also offer research and education opportunities. The province has 11 nature reserves totalling 3,180 hectares.

The amendments will remove the current requirement that every nature reserve have a management plan in place before it is designated. Instead, management plans will be developed as necessary.

For highly visited nature reserves, special measures outlined in management plans may be necessary to protect the areas' features while still allowing access for research, education and nature appreciation.

For remote reserves that are rarely visited, the act's statements on permitted and prohibited activities are usually sufficient to ensure the area's protection.

The proposed amendments will re-establish the special places advisory committee with an updated membership structure. The committee will provide advice on all aspects of nature reserves.

The amendments will also remove the requirement for the committee to help develop management plans. Instead, the committee will assist when requested.

"We have a number of Nova Scotians who are offering pieces of their own private land to be protected as nature reserves but our hands have been tied because of outdated legislation," said Mr. Morash. "With these changes, we'll be able to protect these and other lands in a timely manner."

About 8.2 per cent of land in Nova Scotia is protected through the combined efforts of the provincial and federal governments, and organizations like the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

All of Nova Scotia's nature reserves are described on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/pareas .