Nova Scotia’s environment minister announced on Thursday that the government has expanded the protected land in the province, a move that has stirred controversy among environmentalists and the interim Liberal leader. In response to a question from Iain Rankin during a session, Tim Halman stated that 14.55% of the province is now protected, nearing the target of 15% by year-end.
The minister acknowledged that the recent increase from 13.8% was achieved through the utilization of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM). These measures encompass land unsuitable for forestry activities, such as steep slopes or buffer zones between water bodies and forestry operations.
Iain Rankin noted that this shift represents a novel approach in the province. Halman explained that the OECMs align with the province’s collaborative protected areas strategy of 2023, which emphasized the significance of conserving and preserving land while also fostering economic growth for future generations.
The government, upon assuming power in 2021, has protected over 12% of the province’s land and water mass. With a commitment to safeguard 20% by 2030, Halman highlighted the need to reconsider these efforts due to the Progressive Conservatives’ focus on natural resource development.
Ange Whiteway, from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-Nova Scotia, expressed concerns about the inclusion of wildlife clusters and buffer areas in protected land calculations. Whiteway stressed the importance of prioritizing high conservation value areas that preserve intact forest ecosystems and habitats for rare species, integral to Nova Scotians on both cultural and ecological levels.
The potential loss of federal funding looms as the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement, slated to conclude on March 31, granted $25 million to increase protected areas. Halman’s department remains uncertain about fully utilizing the allocated funds, raising doubts about legal designations for proposed protected areas crucial for conservation and recreation in the province.
The future of protected areas in Nova Scotia faces uncertainty, with key conservation priorities potentially overlooked. The government’s altered emphasis on protected land could impact the legal recognition of essential areas, jeopardizing environmental preservation efforts.