GLENELG, N.S. -- Another property will be permanently conserved along the St. Mary's River after it was donated to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

The six-hectare property, which includes a cobble beach, river shoreline and Acadian floodplain forest, is the seventh protected property along the river in Guysborough County and one of more than 70 conservation sites across the province.

The nature trust says the conservation of such ecologically important properties is necessary for the health of the river and the species that live in and around it, as well as for continued recreational access for people.

The donation was made by Ronald Archibald, who inherited the property from his father in 2000.

He says he and his family wanted to ensure the land would always remain wild and beautiful.

The property is located near Glenelg at the confluence of the east and west branches of the river.

It increases the nature trust's conservation network along the river to more than 300 hectares of land.