Opportunities boosted by wilderness-area protection plan

A large swath of land in Wenta large swath of land in Wentworth Valley has been designated as wilderness protection area by the provincial government.

And that could provide future business and eco-tourism opportunities, a local business owner says.

“Ski Wentworth has been exploring opportunities to expand into four-season operation,” said Leslie Wilson, president of Ski Wentworth. “With the Wentworth Valley Wilderness Area protected, it will further enhance this region as a destination for four-season eco-tourism.”

Environment Minister Margaret Miller on Monday announced designation of the new 1,954-hectare wilderness area in Wentworth Valley, which takes in parts of Colchester and Cumberland counties.

Besides the potential for increased business and tourism opportunities, the designation is intended to help protect forest and habitat for wildlife. Miller said further announcements on other new and expanded protected areas are expected in the near future.

Miller also announced the designation of two other protected areas near Oxford, Cumberland County, including the Chase Lake Wilderness Area (874 hectares) and Steepbank Brook Nature Reserve (202 hectares).

With these designations, Nova Scotia’s protected land now totals about 689,000 hectares.