Recently identified for protection by the provincial government as a candidate wilderness area (December 2007), the lands of Ship Harbour Long Lake boast countless reasons for conservation, including:

' Over 50 undeveloped lakes, several major river corridors and hundreds of wetlands
' Stands of old-growth Acadian Forest in areas that have never been logged
' Over a dozen species-at-risk including Nova Scotia`s endangered mainland moose
' Tremendous backcountry wilderness recreational opportunities, including exceptional canoe routes and impressive scenery

The Eastern Shore has long been subjected to heavy industrial forestry practices and exposed to clearcuts which scar the landscape from Musquodoboit Harbour through to Sherbrooke and beyond. Protecting Ship Harbour Long Lake as a wilderness area will help restore some balance to the landscape, by protecting the largest remaining unfragmented forest in the region.

Thanks to the work of Eastern Shore Forest Watch, Ecology Action Centre and CPAWS NS, the province of Nova Scotia signed a deal with Neenah Paper Inc. (the company that voluntarily withdrew their cutting rights to the area) and imposed a moratorium on all new resource extraction, exploration and development activities.

Currently the provincial government is conducting public consultations regarding the future of this very special area; to get involved please visit http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas/wa_ShipHarbourLongLake.asp

For more information, please visit http://cpawsns.org/campaigns/protect-our-land/shipharbour.php