Nature Conservancy of Canada receives donation of almost 100 hectares for nature reserve in Halifax area
Thanks to a pair of generous donors, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the proud new owner of 97 hectares of intact forest in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
NCC’s Porters Lake Nature Reserve is located on the north side of Porters Lake, flanked by the East and West brooks. Ann and Maurice Doucet donated the land so the NCC could conserve the land, in perpetuity, for future generations.
“When we take care of nature, we take care of ourselves,” said the donors in a press release.
Doug Van Hemessen is the NCC’s stewardship manager for Nova Scotia. He said he was grateful to the Doucets for their “ecologically significant” donation.
“That landscape protects that whole broad area of watershed that goes into Porters Lake and contributes to landscape protection and biodiversity protection throughout that whole area,” Van Hemessen said.
The NCC said the forest acts as a natural water filtration system, plays a crucial role in water cycling and creates a barrier against flooding and erosion. Van Hemessen said the forest reserve also provides opportunities for people to enjoy and learn about nature.
“It’s important for all of us, for the sake of nature, but also the things that nature does for us, make sure we have clean water and clean air,” Van Hemessen said, noting the property is a birding hotspot. “There was about 92 species of birds that are confirmed in or around the property.”
Darell Sampson, MP for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook, N.S., said the donation marked a great day for Porters Lake.
“Protecting this land is forever – for our kids, grandkids and all future generations,” Samson said.
A view of the Porters Lake Nature Reserve. (Source: Mike Dembeck)
Steven Guilbeault, minister of Environment and Climate Change, said donations from people like the Doucets help protect the natural environment in Nova Scotia and across the country.
“Only by engaging in a whole-of-society approach can we meet our goal of conserving 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030,” Guilbeault said.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada's Porters Lake Nature Reserve is located on the north side of Nova Scotia's Porters Lake. (Courtesy: Mike Dembeck)
Because the Nature Conservancy of Canada is a non-profit organization, Van Hemessen said donations of land are critical to ensuring they can protect the most important parts of nature.
“It’s just a win-win for everybody.”
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
Correction
The headline of this story has been changed to reflect that the land for the nature reserve was donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, not the Halifax Regional Municipality.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7025140.1725474560!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power.
'Unprovoked' attacks in Vancouver leave man dead, another with severed hand
A pair of stranger attacks in downtown Vancouver left one man dead and another with a severed hand on Wednesday morning.
Former public servant pleads guilty to breach of trust after directing contracts to own company
The RCMP says a former federal public servant has pleaded guilty to a breach of trust charge connected with financial activities while he worked for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Officials identify 14-year-old student as suspect in Georgia school shooting that left 4 dead
The 14-year-old suspect in the fatal mass shooting at a Winder, Ga., high school has been identified as Colt Gray, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said at an afternoon news conference.
'Terrifying': Suspect tries to drive over cruiser to escape after police surround stolen Bronco at Mississauga drive-thru
A call about a suspicious vehicle ended with a Ford Bronco sitting atop a Peel police cruiser at a Tim Hortons drive-thru in Mississauga Tuesday.
The Liberal-NDP deal is dead. What did it accomplish?
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh revealed Wednesday that he's 'ripped up' the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals. Here's a look at everything the deal accomplished — and what's been left unfinished.
Liberal House Leader 'quite surprised' by NDP pulling out of two-party deal
Government House Leader Karina Gould says she was 'quite surprised' when she found out “at the same time as other Canadians today” that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was pulling out of the supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberal government.
Ontario man told his EV needs $33K battery. Software update fixes the problem
An Ontario man said he couldn't believe an electric car he bought three years ago for $20,000 would need a new battery at a cost of more than $33,000.
Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate for third consecutive time
The Bank of Canada has cut its policy interest rate for a third consecutive time. Governor Tiff Macklem says if the economy continues to improve, Canadians can expect more rate cuts later this year.