Keep It Wild: Defending Nova Scotia’s Protected Areas System

Protected areas are a major safeguard for biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of sustainable local economies. Around the world, protected areas steward both natural and cultural resources, improve livelihoods, and drive sustainable development. There are over 250,000 officially recognized protected areas across the globe, covering about 17% of the of the earth’s land surface and 8% of the world’s oceans.

Many of these vital biodiversity hotspots were protected in just the last few years, as nations participating in the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity agreed to collaboratively protect 30% of the planet by 2030. This commitment is referred to as Target 3 and is one of 4 goals and 23 targets to tackle the global nature crisis under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. With this target, CBD Parties, including Canada, committed to conserving nature through protected and conserved areas, including those that allow for the sustainable use of resources, recognizing Indigenous and traditional territories.

To meet this challenge, our provincial and federal governments have committed to protecting 20% and 30% of lands and waters, respectively, by 2030. In 2023, they signed the $28.5 million Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to provide Nova Scotia with the capacity to achieve its 20% goal and help Canada get to 30% by this deadline. 

Though some progress has been made, there is much work left to do. Help us get more wilderness protected by learning about the protected areas system in Canada and Nova Scotia, fighting misinformation from industry lobby groups, and asking your representatives to take a stand for nature.