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Information for Travellers to Southwestern Nova Scotia
Tobeatic Wilderness |
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Tobeatic Wilderness
Area and the Southern Nova Scotia Bioshpere Reserve
Protected
Areas
Tobeatic
Wilderness Area 
103,780 hectares; Landscape representation - Shelburne River Plain; Roseway River Glacial Plain; Tusket River Drumlins; South Mountain Rolling Plain; Fisher Lake drumlins
Spanning parts of 5 counties, the Tobeatic
Wilderness Area is the largest remaining wild area in the Maritimes. The region
is characterized by unique barren and semi-barren landscapes with outstanding
undisturbed glacial landforms including esker fields, moraines, kettles and
outwash plains. It protects remote and undisturbed wildlife habitat, protects
expansive wetlands, pockets of old-growth pine and hemlock forest, and the
headwaters of 9 major river systems flowing to both the Atlantic and Fundy coasts.
Taken together with the neighbouring Kejimukjik National Park and Historic Site the Tobeatic
Wilderness Area forms the central core of an expansive protected landscape
within interior southwestern Nova Scotia.
The Tobeatic Wilderness Area makes a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity in Nova Scotia. It is also a refuge for wildlife, and has been managed to achieve these purposes since a portion was designated a Game Sanctuary in 1927, and later a Wildlife Management Area in 1968. Today the Tobeatic Wilderness Area continues to provide protection for native biodiversity, with undisturbed wildlife habitat for many species, including the largest herd of remnant native Nova Scotia moose, healthy and abundant black bear, and a re-introduced population of American marten. Within the Tobeatic lie the spectacular forests of old-growth pine and hemlock found at Sporting Lake Nature Reserve and Silvery Lake (IBP site), and outstanding examples of fire barrens at the Shelburne Barrens (IBP site).
The Tobeatic is interconnected by lakes,
streams and rivers, offering outstanding wilderness canoeing, camping and
hiking. It is a storied region of the province known best for its moose herd,
trout streams, and rugged canoe routes through rocky lakes and wild rivers.
These routes, first traveled by Mi'kmaq, supported a world-class "sportman's"
guiding tradition through the late 19th and early 20th century. The traditions
of hunting, fishing, trapping and guiding are alive today, with the travel ways
of the Tobeatic frequented by local recreational enthusiasts, youth
organizations, and professional outfitters alike.
The
Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR)
The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBR), comprises a
large portion of terrestrial and coastal southwestern Nova Scotia, a province situated
on Canada's Atlantic and Bay of Fundy coast. (Please
click on map to enlarge.)
The Biosphere
Reserve represents coastal and inland ecosystems and encourages sustainable
practices for the core area, buffer and transition zones (to varying degrees). The
core protected areas represent five major Nova Scotian landscapes including
extensive wildlands and a Canadian Heritage River (the Mersey River), which
exist in a-near-pristine condition with natural ecosystem structure, processes
and functions intact.
The protected areas also preserve the integrity of
rare, unique, and outstanding examples of floral and faunal associations not
found anywhere else in the country. These are the disjunct Atlantic
Coastal Plain flora and fauna that includes 11 nationally-listed species at
risk, and several other focal species that are threatened to varying degrees
including populations of mainland (native) moose, pine marten, southern flying
squirrel and Blanding's turtle.
The biosphere reserve will help preserve the integrity of cultural resources and heritage in the region. The most significant of these cultural heritage resources is the history of First Nations land stewardship. There is a vital history of Mi'kmaq use of the lands and waters of the area for travel, sustenance, medicine, trade and survival. Several significant archaeological sites are preserved throughout the region. These ancient sites include encampments, travel routes, village sites, fishing grounds and petroglyphs. In 2000 Kejimkujik National Park was commemorated as a National Historic Site celebrating its status as a Mi'kmaq cultural landscape. (Courtesy Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association)
Protected
Areas
Shelburne Heritage River
The 53km long Shelburne River was designated in 1997,
in recognition of its outstanding natural and recreational values. From its
source at Buckshot Lake, this wilderness river passes extensive granite semi-
barrens, esker systems, and stands of old-growth pine and hemlock, before
draining into Lake Rossignol in central, southwestern Nova Scotia. The river is
an integral part of a traditional travel route of First Nations people,
connecting the Atlantic and Fundy coasts via the Mersey and Sissiboo river systems. The Shelburne's
remoteness and challenging array of moving water, shallow lakes and stillwaters
make this river a premiere destination for wilderness canoeists.
Much of the Shelburne's remote 27,739 hectare watershed is within the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. More information on the Shelburne River, including a map, is available at the Canadian Heritage Rivers System website.
Trout
Point Lodge is the only accommodation within the Tobeatic Wilderness Area.
This luxury country inn offers accommodations in Argyle Municipality
from a beautiful backwoods location with easy access to the Acadian 
villages of
Argyle, Quinan, Tusket, and Clare (The French Shore). Hiking trails, canoeing,
kayaking, river swimming, mountain bikes, and cooking lessons focusing on wild
foods are all available. Lodge guests also often take day trips to Grand Pre and
other historical sites. Arygle and Trout Point Lodge can be reached by ferries
from Maine arriving in the Town of Yarmouth, next door to Argyle. Check our Travel links page for
additional resources. Trout Point is Nova
Scotia's luxury country inn, ranked 4.5
stars by Canada Select.