New Wetland Conservation Policy for Nova Scotia!

The province released the Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy (PDF:2.9mb) on October 14, 2011. It is a comprehensive new policy that provides direction and a framework for the conservation and management of wetlands in Nova Scotia. The policy highlights the important roles wetlands play in Nova Scotia’s landscapes and their value to society. It represents a commitment to managing Nova Scotia’s wetlands in a consistent manner and to maintaining a high level of wetland integrity for future generations, while allowing for sustainable economic development in our communities.

The Nova Scotia Wetland Conservation Policy identifies what legislation, regulations, and policies are currently relevant to wetland conservation; clarifies the roles and responsibilities of government and the public in relation to wetlands; and makes this information more accessible to Nova Scotians. Ultimately, the policy establishes specific objectives intended to prevent the net loss of Nova Scotia’s wetlands.

Government realizes that effective wetland conservation and preventing the net loss of wetlands is unlikely to be achieved through policy alone and acknowledges the critical role of voluntary stewardship by Nova Scotians in the success of any wetland conservation efforts in the province.

This policy has been shaped through conversations and extensive consultation with a variety of industry, academic, and nongovernmental organization stakeholders, First Nations organizations, individual Nova Scotians, and federal, provincial, and municipal government staff. We are grateful to them all.

Questions about the Nova Scotia Wetland Policy should be directed to:

Wetlands Program
Department of Environment and Climate Change
wetlands@novascotia.ca