902-425-5263 (LAND)
The Long Cove Conservation Lands
The Nature Trust is pleased to announce the successful completion of its coastal conservation campaign in Ragged Harbour, Queens County. Pristine and visually stunning, The Long Cove Conservation Lands will be a wonderful contribution to the Nature Trust's Conservation Lands network, and a critical part of coastal conservation in Nova Scotia.
This incredible 155-acre property is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse areas of undeveloped coastline on the south shore. Thanks to the efforts of the Nature Trust, in cooperation with private landowners and the Province of Nova Scotia, it is now permanently protected, sheltered from the possibility of development and subdivision that now threatens nearby areas.
Marked by bold, open oceanfront with two small headlands, a white-sand beach, rocky shorelines, and extensive areas of salt marsh, Long Cove is a classically Nova Scotian wilderness. The property includes approximately 4.5 km of coastline, undeveloped and varying coastal habitats, six small islands, and is rich in bird species. According to local birders, over 200 bird species are known to use the area, including the nationally endangered Piping plover, and the area includes an important over-wintering area for waterfowl.
Long Cove's extensive and pristine shoreline, wetlands and forests provide exceptional wilderness recreation and educational opportunities. Because of its natural state, the property is also capable of providing a scientific baseline of natural features, which could be used for comparative research on climate change and coastal dynamics, among other things. During a recent visit to the property, Dr. Chris Miller-a biologist and volunteer Scientific Advisor with the Nature Trust-remarked, "these ecosystems are exactly the types of places we want to protect. To have such a large ecosystem untouched is astounding."
From her first visit to the area, the owner of the Long Cove property, Tuck (Tara) Allen, recognized its exceptional natural values and acquired it because of her strong desire to see the land protected. Unfortunately, she was not able to fulfill her conservation vision during her lifetime. By negotiating a cost-effective partial donation/partial sale ("bargain sale") of the property, the Nature Trust, together with her brother, Freeman Towne Allen, has found a creative way to fulfill her vision for the property, and ensure that this site will remain a natural gem for generations to come.
Through a combined donation of sale and land, the Nature Trust has succeeded in acquisition of the property, and to raise funds to provide for the long-term monitoring, management and enforcement necessary to ensure the site's natural values are protected in perpetuity. If you would like more information on the Long Cove Conservation Lands, or if you would like to make a gift to the campaign, please contact our office, or download a donation form. You can also donate right now, online by clicking here.
The Nature Trust has transfered the north portion of the property to the Province of Nova Scotia to be protected under the Nature Reserves Program (under the Special Places Protection Act), which is the highest level of natural areas protection for Crown lands in the province. The southern portion will be retained by the Nature Trust as part of our conservation lands network. This conservation success is the fourth property protected under the Nature Trust's Lands and Legacies Conservation Partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia.
Without the support of WHC, the Donner Canadian Foundation, an anonymous donor and many generous individuals, this extensive, pristine coastal property would not be permanently protected. The Nature Trust extends a sincere thank you to all of the organizations involved in this project, and looks forward to continued collaboration on future projects. Wildlife Habitat Canada has long been a strong and generous supporter of Nova Scotia Nature Trust Conservation programs. WHC funded its first Nature Trust program in 1997 and has since funded several many others. Their most recent support of the Nature Trust was a significant contribution to the Long Cove Conservation Lands Campaign. Learn more about WHC on our Donor Profiles page.
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Project Sponsors
Thank you so much to our project supporters:
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| Donner Canadian Foundation | Wildlife Habitat Canada |
| Anonymous Donor | Many Generous Individual Donors |