Nova Scotia releases natural resources strategy

Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker holds up part of the strategy as Julie Towers, executive director of renewable resources, looks on during a news conference. Photo: Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources

Aug. 17, 2011 – Our Path to Share, A
Natural Resources Strategy for Nova Scotia, 2011–2020, was released on August
16, 2011. The natural resources strategy’s development was guided by an
independent steering panel and it’s hoped will improve resource management and
sustainable practices in the province while creating jobs.

More than 2,000 Nova Scotians provided input into the strategy, as well as more
than 700 written submissions. The strategy will be a guide for improved
management of Nova Scotia's biodiversity, forests, geological resources, and
provincial parks.

The province has accepted the steering panel's 26 recommendations and has
already begun implementing the strategy. A companion document, From Strategy to
Action, lays out how the strategy will begin to be implemented over the next 24
months. It includes actions to:

• Improve legislation, including laws that help manage biodiversity, forest
  regulations, and the Mineral Resources Act;
• Provide job training for the forestry sector;
• Develop a Code of Practice—a set of principles, guidelines, and technical
  recommendations for the sustainable management of Nova Scotia's forests;
• Review and reallocate resources so more species at risk can be recovered;
• Conduct research into how best to reclaim land affected by mining operations;
• Help publish a Mi'kmaq interpretative plan for provincial parks to increase
  awareness and understanding of Mi'kmaq heritage and culture; and
• Carry out a detailed visitor survey to collect information on the park system.

"Our steering panel is pleased to see government bring forward a strategy
that reflects what we heard from four panels of expertise and input from Nova
Scotians," says retired Chief Justice Constance Glube, steering panel
chair. "It reflects a commitment to changing the status quo, and the
necessary balancing to ensure healthy and sustainable natural resources for
future generations." Other panel members were Joe Marshall and Allan Shaw.

The province's natural resources strategy and action plan is available at
www.gov.ns.ca/natr.