Piping plover habitat to be protected in N.S.

A nearly 121-hectare parcel of coastal habitat along Nova Scotia's south shore will be protected, the Nature Conservancy of Canada said Thursday.

The area at Johnstons Pond, near Shelburne, provides breeding grounds for the endangered piping plover as well as other birds, the private land conservation organization said in a statement.

The organization said the pond is an undisturbed estuary separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a sandy barrier beach. Its salt marshes, ponds and mud flats are also important for migratory birds, including Canada geese. The property also contains a mature coastal forest consisting of spruce, red maple and American larch.

The conservancy said its latest acquisition is among 10 protected areas being announced this week in celebration of Canada Day.