902-425-5263 (LAND)
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Deep Brook Bog Conservation Lands (Purchase)
12 acres in Near Pleasant River, Queen's County
Purchased from Charles Varner
Significance
Critically important overwintering habitat for the Blanding's turtle
Details
This protected property is the Nature Trust's very first Blanding’s turtle site. Encompassing twelve acres in the Pleasant River watershed, the wetland site is one of the most important over wintering grounds for the turtles in the entire province.
The Blanding’s turtle, which inhabits and hibernates in freshwater wetlands, is one of Nova Scotia’s most unique animals. The entire population of turtles in Nova Scotia is thought to number no more than 300 adult individuals. In Nova Scotia, Blanding’s Turtles are found only in three small, isolated populations in the southwestern interior, mainly on the Medway and Mersey River watersheds. These populations are genetically distinct from populations elsewhere in North America.
The turtles live in freshwater wetlands and are usually found in shallow, vegetated coves, still water brooks, marshes, wet meadows and bogs.