HALIFAX -- A 120-hectare piece of riverfront land in Hants County is now protected by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

The group says the purchase of the land from Armco Capital brings a freshwater wilderness sanctuary in the area one step closer to reality.

The Devils Jaw Conservation Lands include wetlands, forests and over four kilometres of pristine shoreline bordered by 2,900 hectares of Crown land designated for protection as a wilderness area.

It's home to several endangered species such as Canada warblers, rusty blackbirds and wood turtles.

The new protected area is across the river from the Herbert River Conservation Lands.

The Nature Trust says a larger protective initiative covering the entire area is waiting for approval by the provincial cabinet.