**** CNS Media Release
Province Seeks Input on Protected Areas Strategy
——————————
Nova Scotians are invited to help shape the approach for protecting 20 per cent of the province’s land and water by 2030.
An online public consultation started today, August 23, at: http://ns20by2030.ca/ . The input will be used to develop the Nova Scotia Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy, which will outline how the Province will achieve its 2030 land and water conservation goal and identify next steps.
“Protecting more land and water will benefit every single Nova Scotian today as well as future generations – conserving more of these precious resources will help fight climate change, keep drinking water clean and have so many more benefits,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “As we take the next steps to achieve this conservation goal, we want to hear directly from Nova Scotians – to get their innovative ideas, suggestions and solutions – and work together to create sustainable prosperity.”
The deadline for public comments is October 6. The Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act requires the strategy to be developed by the end of 2023.
Quotes:
“Parks and protected areas strengthen biodiversity, provide habitats for our wildlife and give us natural spaces for outdoor recreation to support our physical and mental health. That’s why we’ve made biodiversity and conservation a priority on Crown land. And we want to do more. I look forward to hearing from Nova Scotians about how we can reach our goal.”
– Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables
Quick Facts:
— the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act has a goal to protect 20 per cent of Nova Scotia’s land and water by 2030, including working with the Mi’kmaq to create Indigenous protected and conserved areas in the province
— the Province’s climate change plan, Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth, has five actions to protect and restore natural areas and ecosystems so they can help minimize climate impacts
— about 13.2 per cent of Nova Scotia’s land is protected; protection of the remaining lands in the 2013 parks and protected areas plan will increase this to 14 per cent
— Nova Scotia’s protected areas conserve the province’s biodiversity, unique habitats, coastlines, and natural landscapes and features, while providing places for people to connect with nature, and play an essential role in fighting climate change
Additional Resources:
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/legc/
Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascot
Parks and protected areas plan: https://novascotia.ca/parksand
