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Just received from Citizen Scientists of Southwest Nova Scotia: the latest version of their map showing confirmed SAR (Species-at-Risk, now 121 in total) and now protected OGF (Old Growth Forest) stands (31).
Links to more info. & context:
– An Updated Proposal to Protect the Goldsmith Lake area, contributing to the 20% target
Prepared by Citizen Scientists of Southwest Nova Scotia. May 22, 2024. 23 pages
– 20% Protection by 2030
Page on this website (nsforestmatters.ca)
– What is getting in the way of protecting 20% of our lands and waters?
Post by Nina Newington on Healthy Forest Coalition website, Apr 10, 2025. “Shortly after coming to power in 2021, Tim Houston’s government tabled the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act (EGCCRA). To their credit, it incorporated one of the election pledges the PCs ran on: to protect 20% of Nova Scotia’s lands and waters by 2030. In October 2023 the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement introduced an interim target of protecting 15% by 2026… ”
– Lichen Camp
Page on this website (nsforestmatters.ca) “Lichen Camp is a forest protection and education camp dedicated to educating the public and the government about biodiversity and the importance of protecting it. The specific focus is protecting the proposed Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area. The camp came together when it became clear that the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables had removed the holds on extensive harvest plans in the area and that logging was imminent.”
– Nova Scotia DNR announces a short cut in public review of forest harvest plans
Post by david p on NSFM, Nov 6, 2025 “…The actions of DNR illustrate how they are cherry picking what they/Big Forestry like from the Lahey conclusions and recommendations and ignoring what they don’t, and then claim that the Lahey Recommendations have been implemented.”
– Wild Nova Scotia S03E08 – Healthy Forests
Eastllink YouTube Video Aug 27, 2025. 25 min.“With less than 0.5 percent of ancient forests remaining in Nova Scotia, conservation starts with protecting these irreplaceable ecosystems. Learn how safeguarding them can help protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems.” Scenes in the Citizen Proposed Ingram Wilderness Wilderness Area and the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area; and a Nature Trust property in SW Nova Scotia. Old Forest/Old Growth, moose habitat, and lichens as indicators are discussed in interviews with Mike Lancaster, Jonathan Riley, Nina Newington,
– John LeDuc: Protected areas in NS (YouTube)
A presentation by John LeDuc, former Director of Protected Areas branch of Dept Environment. on the history of the protected areas process in Nova Scotia on April 15, 2024; 55 minutes, to Blomidon Naturalist’s Society. “… 44.10: There are challenges, it’s not going to be easy and when you look at the numbers, there really has to be a shift to understanding that because we have so little Crown land that a lot of it, a greater percent of it has to be used for conservation particularly in the context of the climate change crisis and biodiversity crisis; but solutions have to be found in terms of broader thinking – that’s where I was raising the issue of planning, land use planning, because right now you’re seeing energy projects being approved on Crown, you’re seeing High Production Forestry lands being identified for Crown land. And you have the 20% and it’s not being integrated, because the problems that exist by land competition require integrated thinking to find solutions…” Leduc’s submission to the Lahey Review in 2017 still highly relevant.
Minister Steven Guilbeault Concludes Participation at COP30, Reaffirming Canada’s Leadership on Nature Conservation and Protection
Parks Canada (HQ) Nov 27, 2025, “BELÉM, Brazil, Nov. 27, 2025 “The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency, concluded his participation in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), reaffirming Canada’s pledge to protect biodiversity, support Indigenous leadership, and advance commitments under the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework.” On the same day: “Guilbeault quits Carney’s cabinet over energy deal with Alberta. “
And for ongoing related news , view these NSFM News pages:
– In the News – NS Democracy Issues
– In the News – Climate & Biodiversity