Nova Scotia reaches goal of protecting 12% of province's land

Nova Scotia's Environment Department says it has met the government's goal of protecting 12 per cent of land in the province by 2015.

The department says the goal, which was set out in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act in 2007, was met because ofthe recent designation of more than 100 properties as wilderness areas, nature reserves and parks.

The newly designated sites were identified after consultations with municipalities, the Mi'kmaq, community groups, industry and hundreds of individuals.

Recent areas designated as protected include the Rogues Roost, Medway Lakes and Kluscap wilderness areas and the Harrison Woods and Dunraven Bog nature reserves.

The province has also created three new parks and added land to existing provincial parks at Cape Smokey, Five Islands and Taylor Head.

Environment Minister Randy Delorey says work will continue to identify more land for protection.