Gypsum karst is a globally rare landscape that has been dramatically under-protected in Nova Scotia. But the Nature Trust has been making noteworthy gains in conserving this special land – and we’re proud to announce another 104 acres (42 hectares) now protected!

The newly protected Plaister Cliffs (Big Brook Road) property is located within the Nature Trust’s well-established Plaister Cliffs focus area, which prioritizes the conservation of karst landscapes. This focus area currently includes five Nature Trust properties, now protecting a total of approximately 1490 acres (603 hectares) of high-value conservation land. Several other protected areas in close proximity are complemented by this property, including the MacAulays Hill Nature Reserve and the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Plaister Mines Conservation Lands.

Like the other lands protected in this focus area, the new property holds karst forest. Situated atop constantly dissolving gypsum bedrock, this forest has a uniquely alkaline soil base and supports a specialized range of biodiversity. While the Nature Trust’s winter site visit limited our species observations, rare species have been documented adjacent to the property in matching habitats and can be assumed to be found here as well. These include Canada Warbler (listed as Threatened), Eastern Wood-Pewee (listed as Special Concern), Olive-sided Flycatcher (listed as Special Concern), Rusty Blackbird (listed as Special Concern), and Yellow-banded Bumble Bee (listed as Special Concern).

A number of species of conservation concern also occur in close proximity to the property, including Fragrant Green Orchid, Hyssop-leaved Fleabane, Red-stemmed Spikerush, Woodland Strawberry, Crumpled Bat’s Wing Lichen, and Pine Grosbeak.

While the subterranean karst landscape is characterized by its constant state of change, we’re proud that support for conservation here only grows stronger. With your continued support, we can keep this rare forest – and all that lives within it – in our nature forever.

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia through the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement is a project of the Province of Nova Scotia. Working with conservation partners, the goal is to increase the amount of protected and conserved areas and advance an integrated approach to the protection, conservation and recovery of biodiversity, including habitat, species at risk and migratory birds, in the Province. The Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, through the Canada Nature Fund.

This project was also made possible by the Waltons Trust.

Our thanks as well for generous support from the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust, a critical source of land securement funding for Nova Scotia’s land trusts.