Nature
Blanding’s Turtle at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site: Photography by Sheridan Harel
The unique climate of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Region assists in providing a home to an extremely diverse collection of species. The most amphibians and reptiles east of Ontario can be found in the Biosphere Region. The region is a hotspot for biodiversity and is home to 75% of Nova Scotia’s species at risk. The SNBRA encompasses many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including the Acadian Forest, rolling plains, drumlins and coastal cliffs.
The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve’s Natural Environment - PDF
Blanding’s Turtle at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Photography by Sheridan Harel
Blanding’s Turtle Hatchling Survey with MTRI. Photography by Sheridan Harel
Blanding’s Turtle Hatchling Survey with MTRI. Photography by Sheridan Harel
Blanding’s Turtle at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Photography by Sheridan Harel
MTRI is one of the many partners of the SNBRA. Please click below to learn about the Blanding’s Turtle, Eastern Ribbon Snake and more!
SNBRA & Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI)
The core of the Biosphere Region is the largest protected wilderness area in the Maritimes.
The surrounding counties are touched by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Fundy which add to the distinct natural landscape.
Photography by Sheridan Harel: Piping Plover Sign, Cape Sable Island
Photography by Sheridan Harel: Piping Plover, Cape Sable Island
Rhodora, Cameron Lake, Queens County
Rose Coreopsis, Sloan's Lake, Yarmouth County
Rose Coreopsis, Sloan's Lake, Yarmouth County
Redroot (Species At Risk), Ponhook Lake, Queen's County
Rhexia Virginica, Ponhook Lake, Queen's County
Spoonleaf sundew (Drosera intermedia), Ponhook Lake, Queen's County
Pink Coreopsis (Species At Risk) & flies, Sloan's Lake, Yarmouth County
Plymouth Gentian (Species At Risk), Wilson's Lake, Yarmouth County
Buttonbush, Cameron Lake, Queens County
SNBRA’s Lakeshore Restoration Project
Southwest Nova lakeshore plants, some classified as Species at Risk in the list below.
Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Species at Risk in Southwest Nova Scotia
For the province of Nova Scotia, there are over 5 dozen species at risk.
In Southwest Nova Scotia, there are approximately 34 species at risk.
Mammals:
American Marten
Eastern Moose
Birds:
Piping Plover
Red Knot
Roseate Tern
Chimney Swift
Common Nighthawk
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Harlequin Duck
Ipswich Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird
Peregrine Falcon
Short-eared Owl
Reptiles:
Blanding’s Turtle
Eastern Ribbonsnake
Wood Turtle
Insects:
Monarch Butterfly
Plants:
Eastern Mountain Avens
Rockrose
Eastern White Cedar
Prototype Quillwort
Pink Coreopsis
Thread-leaved Sundew
Water-pennywort
Plymouth Gentian
Golden Crest
Redroot
Tubercled Spike-rush
Eastern Lilaeopsis
Long’s Bulrush
Sweet Pepperbush
Lichens:
Boreal Felt Lichen
Ghost Antler Lichen
To view the full Species at Risk in Nova Scotia, here is the link to the Provincial Government’s page: Species At Risk – Recovery Update
Gardner’s Mill, Photography by Sue Hutchins
Photography by Sheridan Harel: Mavillette Beach Provincial Park “Mavillette Beach Provincial Park, located in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region, is a 1.5 km long sandy beach backed by fragile marram grass-covered dunes protected by boardwalks. Low tide exposes sand flats; then the hot sand warms the water.” - novascotia.com
Birchdale Lake, Photography by Sue Hutchins:
Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Gilbert's Cove, Digby, Photography by Sheridan Harel:
Frog in Queen's County, Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Briar Island Trail, Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Snapping Turtle on roadside near Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Toad in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
Mavillette Beach Provincial Park, Photography by Sheridan Harel, “Mavillette Beach Provincial Park, located in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region, is a 1.5 km long sandy beach backed by fragile marram grass-covered dunes protected by boardwalks. Low tide exposes sand flats; then the hot sand warms the water.” - novascotia.com
Photography © Southwest Nova Biosphere Region