70 acres protected forever

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust announced July 25 that two nationally significant sites for Nova Scotia’s species-at-risk have been protected forever, as Nature Trust Conservation Lands.

The Long’s Bulrush, listed nationally as “special concern”, and at risk of global extinction; as well as the nationally endangered Blanding’s turtle now have a safe haven in Nova Scotia, thanks to the work of the Nature Trust and its partners.

A unique, 70-acre property on the Medway River supports lush woodlands, and almost three kilometers of shoreline, as well as being home to three separate colonies of the Long’s Bulrush. The Bulrush, which survives in only nine locations across Nova Scotia, is a rare sedge that can grow up to 400 years old if undisturbed.

The donors of this land—the Ponhook Fish and Game Club—have held the land for two generations during which time they traveled there frequently, using it as a sacred natural retreat. Ponhook approached the Trust in the hopes that they would care for the land in the same tradition of conservation and enjoyment of nature. Brad Stephens, Secretary for the club says, “The members of the Ponhook Club are grateful that the Trust has agreed to take ownership of this land. We have spent countless hours fishing along the banks of this beautiful River and we are thrilled that it will be protected in its wild state forever.”

The Trust is overjoyed to be continuing the conservation legacy of this unique site.

In addition to the Medway site, the Nature Trust has—in partnership with Acadia University—achieved the protection of its very first Blanding’s turtle site. Encompassing twelve acres in the Pleasant River watershed, the newly protected wetland site is one of the most important over wintering grounds for the turtles in the entire province. The Blanding’s turtle, which inhabits and hibernates in freshwater wetlands, is one of Nova Scotia’s most unique animals, so the Trust was thrilled when landowner Charlie Varner expressed his interest in selling this critical habitat for their protection.

According to Patti Green, Project Coordinator at the Trust “we’re truly excited today to be celebrating not one, but two very significant acquisitions. This is a great day for conservation in Nova Scotia.”

The Nature Trust has received campaign support from a range of partners including Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program, the Nova Scotia Habitat Conservation Fund, the Nova Scotia Species at Risk Conservation Fund, the Shell Environmental Fund, as well as the province of Nova Scotia, the Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora Recovery Team, and Parks Canada.