Funding required to help conserve moose habitat

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is working to conserve a remote property in Colchester County that contains mature forest and provides valuable habitat for Nova Scotia’s endangered mainland moose and other species.

“This is an opportunity for Nova Scotians who love wildlife to help conserve an outstanding forest habitat for the endangered mainland moose,” NCC’s Nova Scotia Program director Craig Smith said in a news release.

“This area also provides excellent habitat for bobcat, bear, and at-risk species of birds.”

The habitat-protected area is located in the New Annan section (near Tatamagouche) of the Cobequid Hills, property that was once the site of a maple syrup operation. The surrounding forest is dominated by hardwoods, including old sugar maple and the NCC is working with a private landowner to conserve the property.

“It’s very rare in Nova Scotia to find such a healthy, intact older forest like this one and we see this as an urgent priority for protection,” Smith said.

In order to successfully protect the property, the NCC needs to raise $162,500 by the end of the year.

As a charitable land trust the group can access matching funds from foundations, businesses and the Government of Canada through the Natural Areas Conservation Program.

All donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS These aerial shots depict the forestland in the Cobequid Hills of New Annan, which the Nature Conservancy of Canada is hoping to conserve as habitat for moose and other wildlife.