Credit: Government of Nova Scotia

A nature reserve near Little Narrows in central Cape Breton is being expanded to protect wetland ecosystems and rare species.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased 64 hectares in Cains Mountain, bringing the provincially protected area to nearly 490 hectares.

The property is in one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Nova Scotia.

It sits on a rare gypsum bedrock rich in calcium and magnesium, creating regionally unique ecosystems.

Uncommon species thrive on the property’s wetlands which also provide a habitat for waterfowl.

In a release, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, says, “This exciting announcement goes a long way to supporting the survival and recovery of several species at risk, like the Olive-Sided Flycatcher and the Canada Warbler. This announcement is just one more step in the largest conservation campaign in the country’s history that our government has launched to reach our goal of conserving 30 percent of land and water by 2030.”

The project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Target 1 Challenge Fund, the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.