Update as of October 1, 2024: Thank your incredible support, we are proud to announce our most recent Hope for the Coast achievement: the protection of Blanche Peninsula!

A Legacy at Risk

Nova Scotia’s beautiful coasts are an important part of who we are and the lifestyle we love. The spectacular mosaic of beaches, cliffs and headlands, wild Islands, wetlands and estuaries support a rich diversity of wildlife and an essential migratory corridor for countless birds. Coastal habitats provide ecological services we all depend on too, buffering us from storms, controlling floods and storing carbon. 

But intact, undeveloped coastlines have been disappearing for decades. So too, has public access to our beloved coast.  

We’ve worked hard to protect Nova Scotia’s coast. We’ve saved iconic places like the 100 Wild Islands, Tusket Islands, Mabou Highlands, and Lowland Cove. 

Yet the urgency grows. Only 5% of our coast is protected. Nearly 90% of coastal lands and islands are privately owned and facing increasing development, destruction and fragmentation. With escalating competition and prices for coastal property, we’re quickly losing opportunities to protect the best of our coast.  

The alarm has sounded, and the Nature Trust is stepping up with an urgent coastal conservation blitz. But we need your help.

Signs of Hope

We’ve already had tremendous wins, preserving pristine coastal wilderness, bogs and barrens, coastal forests, globally rare plants and essential stopover sites for migratory birds.  We’ve protected opportunities too, for Nova Scotians to explore, connect with nature and enjoy that east coast lifestyle we love.

We are within 400 acres of our original Hope for the Coast goal of protecting 5,000 acres of coastal lands across Nova Scotia.

But protecting the coastline can’t wait. Your outpouring of support to raise Hope for the Coast confirms that we need to keep going, and you can count on the Nature Trust to do just that.

Your gift today will save more of the last, best Nova Scotia coastal gems. Right now. So please step up to bring Hope for the Coast!    

Hope for the Coast Properties

More properties will be added as they are identified and secured, so please check back often for updates!

We are so grateful to all those donating generously, giving Hope for the Coast. Special thanks also go to our major coastal conservation partners.