The first lands formally protected to conserve ecological and cultural values were the “Capt. Arnell Lands” (12.1 ha), donated to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (NSNT) by the Field brothers (Roger, Nigel, Kenneth, Peter, Robert, Chris, and Nicholas Field) in 2003. In 2009, an adjacent property (22.9 ha) belonging to the Napier family (Agnes, Corinne, Mary, Murray & Paul Napier and Ben MacIntosh) was contributed to NSNT. Together, these properties make up the Purcell’s Cove Conservation Lands administered by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.
Stone tread trail construction over wet spot, Purcell’s Cove Conservation Lands
On June 24, 2014, HRM Regional Council approved a request by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust to have four HRM owned properties rezoned to (PA) Protected Area. These properties (40.5, 20.2, 18.4 and 5.6 ha) abut or are close to the Purcell’s Cove Conservation Lands.
The Backlands Coalition is seeking protection of as much as possible of the undeveloped lands within the Backlands in order to conserve important species and ecosystems maintain vital ecosystem services, preserve sites of historical significance, and to allow continued public access to the many trails and enjoyment of a wilderness experience within close proximity to urban core areas. Currently 120 ha are formally protected and 508 ha are in Crown land. See Fig 1, page 9 in Purcell’s Cove Backlands: Proposed Protected Area, cited below, for the distribution of these lands.
See the documents and websites below for more information.
Backlands Coalition: Please add your voice to help protect nearly HALF of the Halifax Backlands
Post on this website June 5, 2026 “In a News Release issued on Wednesday 27 May, 2026, the Nova Scotia Government (Environment and Climate Change) announced the protection of “836 hectares of Nova Scotia’s land and water, and 5.2 kilometres of its coastline” AND the opening of consultation on “13 proposed new or expanded wilderness areas and nature reserves” One of those 13 areas is a 505 hectare piece of the Halifax Backlands that many people mistakenly believe is already protected: the “Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality.///“
Shaw Wilderness Park
On Halifax Trails. describes hiking trails, provides trails map etc.
Halifax’s New Shaw Wilderness Park
Article by Kathleen Hall on WLCC website describes the history of the park which was officially opened on January 20, 2020.
Nature Stories: Allan Shaw
YouTube Video by NCC (Nature Conservancy of Canada), Feb 2020. “This is about providing an experience for people, forever” says Allan Shaw of the opportunity to protect rare habitat in Halifax.
Purcells Cove Backlands
Nova Scotia Nature Trust “The Nature Trust protects five neighbouring properties at the heart of the Backlands, together encompassing 111 acres (45 hectares). This land features uniquely diverse geographic features and habitats including scattered rugged granite coastal headlands (normally found in more remote areas along Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast), undeveloped freshwater shorelines contained within an undisturbed watershed, developing hardwood forests, bogs and granite barrens. In addition, these lands are home to a significant area of uncommon Jack Pine forest, rare plant life, and two wetland complexes almost entirely contained within the protected area’s boundaries.”
– Blanding’s and Backlands get the big boost they need!
NS Nature Trust Blog, Apr 2, 2024 “…The second property lies within the Purcells Cove Backlands. With the successful protection of this latest 17 acre property, the Nature Trust now fully protects the perimeter of Purcells Pond, ensuring that this well-used lake will always remain available for swimming, skating, and enjoying the beauty of nature. The new property links together the Nature Trust’s other four protected lands here, and we will now be able to link together trails (including the trail to Purcells Pond), fulfilling a longtime wish for easier public access to our conservation lands.This new property harbours globally rare Jack Pine/Broom Crowberry Barrens, as well as open woodlands, upland forests, forested wetlands, and open peatlands. The open barren and fire-disturbed habitats provide nesting opportunities for Common Nighthawk, which is known to breed in the area, and which is designated as a species of Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act and as Threatened under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.”
Rare Jack Pine barrens protected in the Purcells Cove backlands
NS Nature Trust Blog, Mar 16, 2022
Purcells Cove Conservation Lands
Page on the Halifax Field Naturalists website.
Purcells Cove Backlands: Proposed Protected Area
Document prepared by Alice Morgan and Kevin Hooper (Nova Scotia Nature Trust) for the Community Design Advisory Committee, Regional Plan 5 Year Review, Halifax Regional Municipality, in October, 2012. This document describes the four HRM parcels of land, their uses and their relationship to the Purcell’s Cove Conservation lands.
Protecting the Backlands within the Halifax Green Network
This Document was prepared by the Purcell’s Cove Neighbourhood Committee for the Halifax Green Network Public Submissions Process, July 10, 2015. It provides an overview of the values of the Backlands that so many would like to see preserved for future generations of people and wildlife.
Nova Scotia Nature Trust announces new protected Jack Pine barrens in the Backlands 16Mar2022
Post on this website. “We’re pleased to announce a new protected property in the Purcells Cove backlands area, sitting on 27 acres of upland forests, forested swamp and open woodlands and peatlands.”
Municipality’s purchase of land near Shaw Wilderness Park
News Post on halifax.ca May 10, 2024 “The Halifax Regional Municipality has purchased four parcels of land totaling approximately 46 hectares, located to the west of Shaw Wilderness Park, in Halifax.The municipality intends to use most of this land to add to Shaw Wilderness Park, providing additional opportunities for wilderness recreation and nature appreciation…Approximately 10 hectares near existing streets and utilities will be retained for potential future uses.”
Suite of new NS Nature Trust conservation properties include land in the Backlands 23Dec2022
Post on this website Dec 23, 2022 “Nestled in the Purcells Cove Backlands lies a newly secured 5.5-acre property that provides important protection for sensitive ecosystems as well as opportunities for public access and recreational activities. Beyond that, this particular property possesses rich cultural and historical significance, as the previous owner’s family lineage connects to the original Purcell family – the area’s namesake…”
A piece of history protected in Purcells Cove Backlands
NS Nature Trust Post Mar 31, 2023
Analysis of Urban Wildland Boundaries in Shaw Wilderness Park – A Path Forward to Shaping Urban Planning Perspectives
by Scott D. Inman, Dalhousie University School of Planning PLAN 6000 – Major Project Final Report December 12, 2021
Golden Heather in flower in the Backlands 30Jun2023
And some thoughts about what’s involved in keeping it around.
Post by David Patriquin on backlandscoalition.ca, June 30, 2023
Nutrient fertilization by dogs in peri-urban ecosystems
Pieter De Frenne et al., 2022 in Ecological Solutions and Evidence
Why biodiversity net gain requires an ecological permission system
Emma Gardner et al., (2022). Town and Country Planning. pp. 391-402. “Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand…‘If BNG is to be truly achieved, spreadsheet metrics and the planning system approach
must be complemented by some form of ecological permission system to sit alongside the planning system and existing provisions for protected species in the same way as other parallel systems’