List of protected areas of Nova Scotia

This is a list of protected areas of Nova Scotia.

National Parks

National parks of Canada are protected natural spaces throughout the country that represent distinct geographical regions of the nation. Under the administration of Parks Canada, a government branch, national parks allow for public enjoyment without compromising the area for future generations, including the management of Canadian wildlife and habitat within the ecosystems of the park. There are two formal national parks in Nova Scotia, with one managed as a reserve.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Kejimkujik National Park - this park is composed of two sections. The main park is inland, with a seaside adjunct for day use only located near Liverpool.
Sable Island National Park Reserve

Canadian Heritage Rivers

The Canadian Heritage Rivers System is a program administered by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to conserve river heritage.

Shelburne River
Margaree River-Lake Ainslie River System

National Wildlife Areas

A National Wildlife Area is a conservation status for a geographical region in Canada that restricts most human activities on that region. However, land use permits may be issued "for activities that are compatible with conservation". These areas are managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Boot Island National Wildlife Area* (1.44 km²; 0.56 sq mi)
Chignecto National Wildlife Area* (4.10 km²; 1.58 sq mi)
John Lusby National Wildlife Area* (10.20 km²; 0.077 sq mi)
Sand Pond National Wildlife Area (5.32 km²; 2.05 sq mi)
Sea Wolf Island National Wildlife Area (0.41 km²; 0.16 sq mi)
Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area (5.83 km²; 2.25 sq mi)

National Migratory Bird Sanctuaries

Protected areas administered by Canadian Wildlife Service

Big Glace Bay Lake (240 ha; 590 acres)
Kentville (200 ha; 490 acres)
Port L'Hebert (350 ha; 860 acres)
Port Joli (280 ha; 690 acres)
Sable River (260 ha; 640 acres)
Amherst Point (429 ha; 1,060 acres)
Sable Island (2,350 ha; 5,800 acres)
Haley Lake (100 ha; 250 acres)

Provincial Parks

Provincial Wilderness Areas

As of January 2016 there were 68 wilderness areas in Nova Scotia. They are regulated by the Wilderness Areas Protection Act under the responsibility of Nova Scotia Environment and are areas where resource extraction, development, use of vehicles and similar activities are prohibited. Hunting, trapping and fishing are permitted.

Alder Grounds Wilderness Area
Boggy Lake Wilderness Area
Bonnet Lake Barrens Wilderness Area
Bowers Meadows Wilderness Area
Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Area
Clattenburgh Brook Wilderness Area
Cloud Lake Wilderness Area
Economy River Wilderness Area
Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area
French River Wilderness Area
Gabarus Wilderness Area
Gully Lake Wilderness Area
Jim Campbells Barren Wilderness Area
Lake Rossignol Wilderness Area
Liscombe River Wilderness Area
Margaree River Wilderness Area
McGill Lake Wilderness Area
Middle River Wilderness Area
North River Wilderness Area
Ogden Round Lake Wilderness Area
Pollets Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Area
Portapique River Wilderness Area
Scatarie Island Wilderness Area
Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area
Sugarloaf Mountain Wilderness Area
Tangier Grand Lake Wilderness Area
Terence Bay Wilderness Area
The Big Bog Wilderness Area
Tidney River Wilderness Area
Tobeatic Wilderness Area
Waverley–Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area
White Lake Wilderness Area

Provincial Nature Reserves

As of January 2016 there were 70 nature reserves in Nova Scotia. They are ecological sites regulated by the Special Places Protection Act, an Act which also protects archaeological, historical and palaeontological sites. They are areas of special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, features and natural processes. They are areas that provide educational or research field areas but where recreation is restricted.

Abraham Lake
Bornish Hill
Duncans Cove
Great Barrens and Quinan Lakes
MacFarlane Woods
Panuke Lake
Ponhook Lake
Quinns Meadow
River Inhabitants
Roman Valley
Rush Lake
Sloans Lake
Spinneys Heath
Sporting Lake
Washabuck River

Provincial Protected Beaches

Provincial Game Sanctuaries

Blandford
Brule Point
Chignecto
Hackmatac Lake
Liscomb Game Sanctuary
Martinique Beach
Melbourne Lake
Shubenacadie
Spectacle Island Game Sanctuary
Sunnybrea
Upper Clements
Waverley

Provincial Wildlife Management Areas

Abercrombie
Antigonish
Debert
Dewey Creek
Eastern Shore Islands
Hibernia
Maccan River
Manganese Mines
Minas Basin
Pearl Island
Scatarie Island
Shubenacadie
Tobeatic

Private Protected Areas

Private Protected Areas are owned by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Nova Scotia Bird Society and the Bowater Mersey Paper Company.