Speak Your Piece

We welcome submissions from anyone who wants to explain in their own words why the sale of Owls Head must be stopped. Anyone who has an articulate and valuable opinion to add to the cause of protecting this special place may submit articles to be published here.

National Observer: Once eyed for a golf course, N.S. pledges to make Owls Head a provincial park

“After nearly five decades of public consultations, government plans and scientific studies, Owls Head Provincial Park is finally getting the legal protection it needs and deserves.”

… However, the park is one of many areas needing protection, said Lee. There are 125 provincial parks, nature reserves and wilderness areas awaiting the same designation and could face delistment.

“Without stronger legal protections, Nova Scotia’s parks and protected areas will perpetually be at risk,” said Lee.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Information Morning: Christopher Trider on Owls Head Becoming Our Next Provincial Park

Christopher Trider talks to Portia Clark of CBC’s Information Morning about the government’s recent announcement about legally protecting Owls Head Provincial Park.

Christopher Trider worked for the Department of Natural Resources (now DNRR) for 21 years. As a provincial park planner, Christopher specialized in acquiring and protecting coastal properties. He designed well-loved coastal parks including MacCormacks Beach Provincial Park, Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park, Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park, Pomquet Beach Provincial Park, and many more.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

A Thank You Note to Premier Houston and Minister Rushton

Thank you very much for designating Owls Head as Nova Scotia’s next provincial park. Along with thousands of other citizens across the province, I am overjoyed and relieved that this special coastal park will remain in public ownership and be protected in perpetuity.

The Save Owls Head movement has shown just how deeply Nova Scotians care about wild spaces, coastal parks, and transparency in government.

Your decision to right this wrong will preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our province for generations to come. It will also help to rebuild something invaluable: public trust.

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By Lindsay Lee, ago

The Canadian Press: Groups that fought to preserve Owls Head hail Nova Scotia’s pledge to protect it

The Nova Scotia government’s decision to protect a section of rugged Crown land along the province’s Eastern Shore from development is being hailed as proof that public mobilization can make a difference.

Chris Miller, executive director of the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, described the new park designation as the “best possible outcome” for Owls Head.

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By Lindsay Lee, ago

Saltwire: Owls Head to become Nova Scotia’s next provincial park

Chris Miller, executive director of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, said Tuesday’s announcement was the best possible outcome for Owls Head.

“It corrects the wrong,” Miller said on Tuesday. “It ends the scandal and I just want to thank the premier for making this important decision.

Miller said it was also a welcome decision to fix one that never should have been made.

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By Save Owls Head, ago

CBC News: Owls Head, once considered for controversial golf course, designated as provincial park

Opponents took fight against proposed golf course development all the way to N.S. Supreme Court

“I’m very pleased and I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Bob Bancroft, a biologist who sought a judicial review of the former Liberal government’s decision to delist Owls Head from the Parks and Protected Areas Plan.

… Bancroft said he hopes lessons will be learned in the process.

“I hope that all the underlying measures of how this all happened are dealt with. We need to protect this from happening again.”

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By Save Owls Head, ago

Global News: Nova Scotia to protect Owls Head Crown land as next provincial park

A piece of Crown land that had been controversially removed from a list of territory awaiting protection is now being designated as Nova Scotia’s next provincial park.

Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton says that 266 hectares of Owls Head in Little Harbour, N.S., will be protected, although he says some survey work and administrative steps are necessary before the designation is complete.

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By Save Owls Head, ago