Wetland and forested sites conserved on Nova Scotia's Northumberland Strait

PUGWASH, N.S. -- A large tract of forest and wetland is being protected along Nova Scotia's Northumberland Strait.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada says the 83 hectares include salt marsh wetland and forests on the Pugwash River.

The acquisition also takes in the Missiquash marshes on the Nova Scotia side of the Chignecto Isthmus.

The group says the area is prime habitat for different waterfowl, including Canada geese, American black ducks and great blue heron.

Eelgrass on the mud bottom of an estuary is also a fish habitat during spawning and rearing, and 27 species of shorebirds pass through the region during migrations.

The Chignecto Isthmus is the site of a land conservation effort to build a protected corridor for wildlife, like bobcats, bears and moose.