Nova Scotia Nature Trust protecting 200 hectares along St. Marys River

ST. MARYS RIVER, N.S. — Another 200-plus hectares of land along the St. Marys River will forever be protected for conservation. 

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust has secured three additional pieces of land along the river, including sites that house some of Nova Scotia’s last old-growth hemlock forests and Acadian floodplains. 

With less than one per cent of old-growth forests remaining, and over 90 per cent of floodplain forests lost to clearing, conservation efforts will protect the wildlife and nature at risk of being lost, including endangered species such as the wood turtle, Canada warbler, olive-sided flycatcher, rusty blackbird, common nighthawk and barn swallow. 

“We’re delighted to announce this new deal to save three more outstanding ecological gems on the St. Marys River,” said Nature Trust executive director Bonnie Sutherland. “We know that protecting habitat is key to saving biodiversity and building resilience against devastating climate change impacts, and there are positive, tangible ways every Nova Scotian can step up for nature” 

The nature trust secured the three properties as part of a donation by the Oland family and collaboration with the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society. 

Preservation of the area will include public canoe access points, walking trails and the fishing site at McKeens Brook pool.  

Conservation groups have been working together to purchase private land to protect the St. Marys River for nearly 20 years. To date, more than 3,800 hectares of land spanning 52 kilometres along the river have been protected, known as the ribbon of green.

The change in property ownership is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. 

“Owners of ecologically important land can explore conservation options, volunteers can help care for special wild places all across the province, and if you can, donate to save more wild places like the St. Marys River,” Sutherland said.