Rising above the iconic Bras d’Or lies an otherworldly and fragile landscape that few people have ever seen. And right now, we have a rare opportunity to protect more than a thousand acres and all that it holds within – if we act quickly.

Through our In Our Nature  campaign to accelerate the protection of Nova Scotia’s most exceptional and ecologically important natural areas, the Nature Trust is working to secure a 1,023 acres (414 hectares) property at Plaister Cliffs, east of Baddeck in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).

The stunning property harbours extensive coastal habitats, wetlands, ponds and forests, large tracts of rare old growth forest, important habitat for endangered plants, birds and other wildlife, and over three kilometers of shoreline. Most exciting, it supports a unique ecosystem known as gypsum karst, which is globally rare, highly threatened and one of the least protected ecosystems in Canada.

With $400,000 needed in public support by the November 28 closing date, time is short to raise the required funds. But with your help, this incredible coastal jewel can remain in our nature, forever.

Few people have seen Nova Scotia’s karst landscapes close-up, both because they are scarce, and because they are incredibly rugged, difficult and even hazardous to navigate. But for those who have, they describe them with words like surreal, otherworldly and magical.

As water flows across soft “plaister” (gypsum bedrock), it slowly dissolves the rock in its path. Over time, this relentless erosion leaves behind fascinating above- and underground terrains of brilliant white cliffs and outcrops, vast funnel-shaped sinkholes interspersed with narrow ridges (like a giant egg carton), deep fissures and hidden subterranean caves, caverns and streams, creating a fantastical and fragile landscape called karst. Its unusual dimensionality, calcium-rich soil and alkaline environment supports a specialized and unique community of rare plants and animals, like Yellow Lady’s-Slipper.

Most karst around the world is formed from limestone, with temperate gypsum karst landscapes rare across the globe. While Nova Scotia likely has the largest and best developed areas of gypsum karst in Canada, they are also among the least protected. Only about 5% of Nova Scotia’s gypsum karst lands are protected. With over 90% privately owned and highly fragmented into small parcels, the opportunity to protect over 1000 acres of contiguous, intact karst ecosystems is too important to miss.

Now is the time to act. Not only is there an exceptional coastal conservation site on the table – but there is also a time-limited funding catalyst to make it possible. Right now, the Nature Trust can leverage every dollar donated to unlock four additional dollars to keep Plaister Cliffs and other irreplaceable wild places In Our Nature, forever.

Every donation to help save Plaister Cliffs by November 28 will unlock four times more. A gift of $100 unlocks $400 more for a total of $500. A $1,000 gift becomes $5,000. No matter the size of your gift, you can make a huge impact on saving Nova Scotia’s coastal legacy, right now.