The Nova Scotia Nature Trust recently announced its securement of two new properties in the priority area of Kespukwitk /Southwest Nova Scotia. Both properties offer immense conservation value and will now be protected in perpetuity.

The first property, Salmon Lake, is comprised of 347-acres and a kilometre of shoreline, across six parcels of land. Although the property has a history of logging activities, there is relatively mature forest conditions prevalent throughout, as well as two watercourses that flow into the lake. Part of the Tusket River watershed and recognized as a Priority Place for providing important habitat for at-risk Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora (ACPF), this acquisition supports habitat for the at-risk Pink Coreopsis and Spotted Pondweed, along with several other rare plants and at-risk birds. Of the ACPF-inhabited lakes in the area, Salmon Lake is the most impacted due to several factors, including heavy cottage and residential development, threats from OHV use, infilling, and forestry. This Nature Trust securement marks the lake’s first protected place, which will help prevent the impact of these threats and fill a gap in the existing conserved areas system.

The second property now under the care of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust is a 40-acre addition to their existing Deep Brook Bog conservation lands. Generously donated by Wayne and Bertha Fiddes, this area comprises two parcels of ecologically significant land bordering a trail near Pleasant River. The land supports a combination of mixedwood and hardwood forests, and tree and shrub-dominated swamps and wetlands. Importantly, these donated lands are designated Critical Habitat for the endangered Blanding’s Turtle and the Eastern Ribbonsnake and contain potential habitat for several other Species at risk, including the Olive-sided Flycatcher and Canada Warbler, as well as Wrinkled Shingle Lichen. Deep Brook Bog is located several hundred meters from the Pleasant River Woodlands Conservation Lands and is in proximity to other existing Nature Trust properties and portions of the Pu’tlaqne’katik Wilderness Area. The Nature Trust is incredibly grateful to the Fiddes as their incredible gift of land will now be protected forever. The land donation qualifies as an Ecogift under Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, a conservation incentive program providing landowners with special income tax benefits in recognition of their contribution to protecting Canada’s biodiversity.

Additional funding for the securement of both of these Kespukwitk /Southwest Nova Scotia area acquisitions was provided to the Nature Trust by the Canada Nature Fund (Priority Place-Species at Risk Program) and the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust. Stewardship to ensure the long-term care and protection of the properties is made possible through generous donations to their Twice the Wild Campaign.