Community-Proposed Protected Areas
From old-growth forests to stunning coastal landscapes, Nova Scotia’s natural heritage enriches our lives, economies, and communities.
Community-proposed protected areas are special sites that communities and organizations have nominated to the provincial government for protection.
Together, these sites would help protect:
- The oldest-known forest in the Maritimes
- Critically important habitat for the last wild population of the endangered Atlantic Whitefish on Earth
- Headwater lakes for the St. Mary’s River system
- And so much more…
Get to know the community-proposed protected areas and the groups advocating to protect them:
Acacia Valley Wilderness Area
Locals have hiked, hunted and fished the woods and waterways of Acacia Valley for generations, even before volunteers with the Digby East Fish and Game built the trails here in the 1990s. The area’s ancient Red Maples, steeped in fog from St. Mary’s Bay, support over 70 occurrences of rare at-risk lichens, including dozens of Blue Felts, Nova Scotia’s provincial lichen, and Forest Jellyskin, known from only a handful of sites in North America. Adjacent to the proposed wilderness area is a further 160 hectares, donated by Larry and Greta Goodwin and now looked after by the Nature Trust of Nova Scotia.
Archibald Lake Wilderness Area Expansion
Several headwater lakes feeding the St. Mary’s River system. Contains mature hardwood hills and old-growth forest stands. Would connect to the expanded Nine Mile Woods Wilderness Area.
Baddeck River Wilderness Area Addition
This is a rugged, nearly roadless area along the Peters Brook branch of the Baddeck River. Old hardwood forests grow on its slopes. Spruce and fir grow on the plateaus and knolls. The area provides habitat for endangered American marten, moose and Atlantic salmon.
Beals Brook Wilderness Area
“This isn’t lumber country, it’s moose country,” says Master Guide Perry Munroe. A complex web of streams and still waters connects large bogs, wetlands and wet meadows with much of the area only accessible by canoe (unless you have moose-sized feet and very long legs). A rare area of roadless forest reaches from Beals Brook to McEwan Lake with fine stands of old to old-growth sugar maple. In addition to sightings of American Marten, Canada Warbler, Chimney Swift, Eastern Wood Peewee, and Rusty Blackbird, 17 Species at Risk lichen occurrences were documented in old forest between Beals Meadow and Beals Brook.
Big LaHave Lake Wilderness Area
Connects two major existing wilderness areas (Medway Lakes and Cloud Lake) effectively creating a connected network of protected areas from the Annapolis Valley to Shelburne and Yarmouth counties via Keji and the Tobeatic wilderness. Core Habitat area identified in Nova Scotia’s Mainland Moose Recovery Plan. Will significantly increase opportunities for the Tobeatic population to interact and breed with the other NS populations. Significant number of pristine wetlands and lakes. Headwaters of three major watersheds: Annapolis, LaHave and Medway River systems.
Boggy Lake – Liscomb River Connector Wilderness Area
Connects the existing Boggy Lakes, Liscomb River and Big Bog Wilderness Areas, making it into one large, contiguous area. Lots of lakes, rivers, wetlands, old forests and hardwood hills. Mainland Moose habitat.
Calvary River Wilderness Area Additions
Large area of intact, old floodplain hardwood forests. Large sugar maple, red maple, yellow birch and white ash stands. Important for wildlife connectivity in an otherwise highly developed landscape.
Chain Lakes Wilderness Area
Contiguous to Cloud Lake Wilderness Area, the proposed Chain Lakes Wilderness Area includes the Gully Lake area and areas of rich habitat with old hardwood forest. Numerous Species at Risk birds have been identified here. A popular place for outdoor recreation.
Economy River Wilderness Area Additions
A blanket of beautiful hardwood forests running several miles along the slopes of the Cobequid Mountains. Connects existing Economy River and Portapique River Wilderness Areas.
Fourchu Coast Wilderness Area Addition
An interior expanse to complement the neighbouring coastal features of this wilderness area.
Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area
These 3800 hectares in the Annapolis River watershed include a pristine lake ringed with 31 stands of recognized old-growth forest, plus extensive areas of old to old-growth forests undisturbed wetlands and the headwaters of a historic salmon river where salmon smolts are again being documented. Eighty percent of the area is identified as core moose habitat; over 100 Species at Risk occurrences have been documented here. On a heavily clearcut part of the South Mountain, this area is an oasis for humans – being only half an hour from Bridgetown – and wildlife.
Guysborough Headlands Wilderness Area Additions
Wild oceanfront and interior lands to expand this iconic Nova Scotia coastal wilderness.
Ingram River Wilderness Area
"Buy Back the Mersey!" lands north of St. Margarets Bay and the home of the oldest known forest in the Maritime provinces. This large expanse of public land connects western Nova Scotia to the rest of the province, making it an essential connectivity corridor for the endangered Mainland moose and other wildlife. The proposed Ingram River Wilderness Area is within the "core habitat" in the Mainland Moose Recovery Plan - meaning it has been deemed to be essential for the survival of the species. It has been documented to support habitat for at least 17 Species at Risk and 78 Species of Conservation Concern. Old growth stands, streams, and dozens of lakes make the area perfect for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and camping, easily accessed by ATVs on forestry roads.
Kelley River Wilderness Area Addition
One of the most remote unprotected parts of mainland Nova Scotia, with a sprawling expanse of low-lying conifer forests, bogs, and streams. A refuge for endangered Mainland Moose.
Lambs Lake Wilderness Area
Expands the existing Nature Reserve to include the wild lakefront of Crotchet Lake and nearby stillwaters and mixed forests.
Little Bear Lake Wilderness Area
Home to an impressive concentration of rare old-growth forests. Rich, fire-resistant Acadian deciduous forest hills, old white pine and hemlock forests with remnant large ancient trees over 300 yrs old. Contains pristine headwater lakes, wetlands and stream systems.
Marsh Lake Nature Reserve
Marsh Lake and its surrounding lands host at least 16 Species at Risk, old growth forest stands, and rich biodiversity. Marsh Lake’s magnificent marsh was declared a Treasured Wetland by Ducks Unlimited Canada and the NS government: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ 4274e1c1ec584850b613e5c856b0eef0. Marsh Lake could be designated as a Nature Reserve or transferred to Halifax Regional Municipality and protected as part of Sandy Lake Regional Park.
Medway Lakes Wilderness Area Addition
Closes the large gap between the western and eastern flanks of the existing Medway Lakes Wilderness Area, creating one connected Wilderness Area. Designating this site would protect the area’s largest open wetland and numerous nearby treed wetlands. Significant area of species diversity, including Species at Risk.
Minamkeak Lake/Petite Riviere Wilderness Area
The Minamkeak Lake watershed is home to the planet's last remaining population of critically endangered Atlantic Whitefish. Both the provincial and federal recovery plans for the endangered Atlantic Whitefish commit to pursuing Wilderness Area designation. The area is largely undeveloped wilderness with diverse and unique ecosystems and contains close to two dozen at risk species of flora and fauna worthy of protection. The area's lakes also provide the water supply to the Town of Bridgewater. There is strong support from local municipalities to protect the area.
Nine Mile Woods Wilderness Area Expansion
Several headwater lakes and McKeen Brook, feeding the St. Mary’s River system. It features hardwood hills, old growth stands, and would connect to the expanded Archibald Brook Wilderness Area.
North Mountain Wilderness Area Additions
Old-growth hardwood forests on steep slopes and the mountain plateau, covered with rare lichens.
Pockwock Wilderness Area Additions
Protecting the remaining natural public land parcels surrounding Pockwock Lake would better safeguard the primary water supply for the city of Halifax, conserve wildlife habitat, and help provide ecological connectivity across the landscape.
Portapique River Wilderness Area Additions
A blanket of beautiful hardwood forests running several miles along the slopes of the Cobequid Mountains. Connects the existing Economy River and Portapique River Wilderness Areas.
Rockypoint Lake Wilderness Area
Remote area and core habitat for endangered Mainland Moose. Connects existing Tobeatic and Silver River Wilderness Areas.
Sackville Area Wilderness Additions
Sackville Area Wilderness Additions A small but important cluster of currently unprotected natural crown land parcels directly adjacent to the existing Wilderness Area. This will better protect the headwaters of the Sackville River ecosystem and safeguard wetland habitat and important natural upstream floodwater absorption capacity.
Shatter Lake Wilderness Area
Southeast of the Wentworth Valley Wilderness Area. Core Mainland Moose habitat in the Cobequid Mountains. A wilderness oasis surrounded by a landscape badly damaged by industrial clearcutting.
Shubenacadie/Grand Lake Wilderness Area
The last large, natural, undeveloped area in the headwaters of Grand Lake and the Shubenacadie River system. The lake has seen significant development on the north, east, and south sides. The only relatively natural, roadless patch lies on the western side of the lake and is the source of much of its freshwater input from numerous spring-fed brooks and streams. Protecting the public lands in this area will better protect the water quality and quantity flowing into Grand Lake and the Shubenacadie River and will also provide a relatively large natural stepping stone for ecological connectivity between other nearby protected areas.
Tidney River Wilderness Area Additions
In March 2024, the Queens County Fish and Game Association proposed approximately 20,000 hectares of Additions to the Tobeatic Wilderness Area and the Tidney River Wilderness Area. A moratorium on harvesting and roads was requested. The adjacent Dunraven Bog Nature Reserve supported major caribou populations in the 1800s. Many routes and portages were traveled by Mi'kmaq. This Tobeatic Addition will be critical for the recovery of the endangered Mainland Moose. The Province must act now to recover Endangered Mainland Moose and to protect these irreplaceable remnants of critical habitat.
Toadfish Lakes Wilderness Area Addition
Connects the pieces of the existing Toadfish Lakes wilderness area, making it into one contiguous area and connects to the Boggy Lake Wilderness Area. Significant old mixed and hardwood forests and complex wetlands and river corridors. Mainland Moose habitat.
Tobeatic Wilderness Area – Jordan Addition
In March 2024, the Queens County Fish and Game Association proposed approximately 20,000 hectares of Additions to the Tobeatic Wilderness Area and the Tidney River Wilderness Area. A moratorium on harvesting and roads was requested. The adjacent Dunraven Bog Nature Reserve supported major caribou populations in the 1800s. Many routes and portages were traveled by Mi'kmaq. This Tobeatic Addition will be critical for the recovery of the endangered Mainland Moose. The Province must act now to recover Endangered Mainland Moose and to protect these irreplaceable remnants of critical habitat.
Trout Brook Wilderness Area Addition
Old-growth hardwood forests on steep slopes and the mountain plateau. Covered with rare lichens.
Waverley – Salmon River – Long Lake Wilderness Area Addition
A small but important parcel of public land that should be added to the existing Waverley-Salmon-River Long Lake Wilderness Area for ecological connectivity. It features rugged granite ridge topography and old forests, and it will provide protection for parts of Miller and Soldier Lakes.
Wentworth Riversdale Wilderness Area
One of the last remaining roadless areas in the local area, the proposed Wentworth Riversdale Wilderness Area has unique geology that is similar to that found in Bareen Meadows in Pu’tlaqne’katik Wilderness Area and the Bridgewater Watershed Protection Area in the Petit Riviere watershed. Each of these sites are similar in structure but unique in the biodiversity at each site and all three host nationally and internationally rare species. These areas consist of high parallel bedrock ridges with poor soils and large erratics. The forests in all of these sites are largely climax forest ecosystems with, American Marten, diverse at risk lichen communities and at-risk birds. Aquatic ecosystems in these three areas host rare reptiles. This area is currently known to have 17 Species at Risk, but inventory is incomplete, and the area remains largely unexplored.
Be a Voice for Nature
- Join a local group that’s championing a community-proposed protected area in your area.
- Schedule a meeting with your MLA. Urge them to take action to meet the 20% by 2030 commitment (Not sure where to start? Click here).
- Email Minister Halman (Minister.Environment@novascotia.ca) Minister Rushton (mindnr@novascotia.ca) and your local MLA (find your MLA’s contact information here). Let them know you’re counting on them to legally protect these community-proposed protected areas!
