News & Events

News release: Nova Scotia Nature Trust and MODL announce permanent conservation of Cape LaHave Island

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Published: Tuesday, 21 October 2025 10:16

On October 21, 2025, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust announced the conservation of Cape LaHave Island, a beloved jewel of the South Shore coast. At 2,608 acres, Cape LaHave Island is Nova Scotia’s 5th largest island and now becomes one of the largest islands ever protected in the province. Following community engagement conducted over the past several years, MODL signed a conservation easement with the Nature Trust to ensure that the natural values of the island will be protected in perpetuity, as well as the opportunities for visitors to experience its incredible beauty.

In announcing this long-awaited conservation achievement, the Nature Trust’s Executive Director Bonnie Sutherland said, “Cape LaHave Island is one of Nova Scotia’s great treasures, not only for the birds and pollinators whose habitat is now protected but also for the countless generations of people – past, present, and future – for whom this island is so precious. It embodies what the Nature Trust is working to protect: intact wild space for nature, and for people.”

A conservation easement is a legally binding written agreement between a landowner (in this case the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, the apparent owner) and the holder of the easement (the Nature Trust) to protect a property’s conservation values. The Nature Trust originally pioneered the first partnership of this kind between a community land trust and a municipality in Canada in 2007. 

Today’s partnership with MODL underscores the key role that municipalities can play in supporting conservation and permanently protecting municipally-owned natural areas. Her Worship the Mayor of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, Elspeth McLean-Wile, remarked, “Our residents are very interested in protecting Cape LaHave Island. We heard the importance of protecting the Island from development, preserving access and maintaining activities that are associated with the traditions of the Island. We are pleased that this agreement will ensure this for generations to come.”

Cape LaHave Island is one of Nova Scotia’s largest remaining undeveloped islands. The Lunenburg Common Lands Act of 1897 transferred guardianship of the island to the Municipal Council of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg to ensure that it would remain accessible for the common use of the community, but the Act does not specifically acknowledge (or protect) the ecological significance of the island. The Municipality recognized the importance of keeping the island in its undeveloped state and in 2019, the Council began to explore the option of a conservation easement as an additional layer of legal protection. The specific terms of the easement were defined based on extensive community engagement, which included public community sessions in 2020 and 2024, public surveys conducted online in 2020 and 2024, and a public information session in 2025. The details and reports from these public consultations can be found on this page.

Through this engagement process, the community expressed a clear wish for the island to remain natural and undeveloped as it currently is, and for it to continue to be available for the low-impact community recreational activities for which it is locally beloved. Its long history of human use includes Indigenous and settler mainland communities’ use for drying fish and harvesting resources to support local fishers, while its pristine sand beaches have long welcomed visitors for camping, kayaking, walking, and general appreciation of its beauty.

Protecting the island’s intact and thriving natural features is an important win, not only for Nova Scotia’s natural legacy but also for biodiversity more broadly. Plants and animals are disappearing from our planet at unprecedented rates – scientists have documented almost 70% declines in wildlife populations over the last half-century. With habitat loss globally recognized as a major driver of biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need to ensure that habitat is permanently protected, especially large tracts of land, islands, and native biodiversity. 

Cape LaHave Island provides stopover habitat for many migratory birds, including shorebird species like Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Sanderling, Blackbellied Plover, and Short-billed Dowitcher. Endangered Piping Plover have been known to nest on its beaches. Shorebird populations have declined by 40% globally over the last decade, making protection and stewardship of stopover sites like the island crucially important. Recent surveys have also shown boreal bird species like Canada Jay and Boreal Chickadee to be common in the interior of Cape LaHave Island; it is likely that the ocean-moderated climate of the island could provide refuge from climate change-related declines for these species.

Beyond its importance for birds, the large areas of undisturbed terrain on the island host rare lichens and plants, and pollinator species that are elsewhere in steep decline, including Yellow-Banded Bumblebees and migrating Monarch Butterflies. Its interior landscape features extensive unforested bedrock ridges often dominated by Broom Crowberry, which, although fairly common in southern Nova Scotia, is a globally rare ecosystem type.

Community members are invited to be part of the ongoing protection and care of Cape LaHave Island through the Nature Trust’s volunteer Property Guardians program. Property Guardians receive training and support as they conduct regular monitoring visits to conservation lands, providing the Nature Trust with key information about changes and concerns on protected properties and helping maintain their ecological integrity. Interested nature-lovers are invited to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information.

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia through the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement. Additional funds to complete the protection of the island came from the Nature Trust’s recently launched In Our Nature campaign, which urgently aims to protect Nova Scotia’s most ecologically significant, rare, and at-risk natural areas – before it’s too late. From now through December 31, donations to In Our Nature unlock 4X their value in additional funding to help catalyze the conservation of high-priority wild places like Cape LaHave Island – visit https://nsnt.ca/ for more information.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES
"The Government of Nova Scotia is pleased to support the vital work of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust to protect the province's land and water through funding programs like the Crown Share Land Legacy Trust and the Nature Agreement. Cape LaHave Island is one of Nova Scotia's most beautiful and ecologically significant natural places, and I want to thank Bonnie Sutherland and her team for protecting this special place for perpetuity and for their ongoing land conservation work."
~Timothy Halman, Minister, Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change

ABOUT THE FUNDING
The Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement is a project of the Province of Nova Scotia. Working with conservation partners, the goal is to increase the amount of protected and conserved areas and advance an integrated approach to the protection, conservation and recovery of biodiversity, including habitat, species at risk and migratory birds, in the Province. The Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, through the Canada Nature Fund.

IMAGES, VIDEO, & BACKGROUNDER
https://nsnt.ca/media
Interviews available upon request.

CONTACT
Anna Weinstein, Marketing and Communications Manager
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
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(902) 499-2825

Sarah Kucharski, Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Council Partnering with Community to Build Pickleball Courts

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Published: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 08:46

After a year of collaboration and problem-solving, the District of Lunenburg is moving ahead with a new plan to build accessible pickleball courts at the Municipal Activity and Recreation Centre (MARC) in Dayspring.

In 2023, Council included $800,000 in its capital budget to construct six accessible pickleball courts. However, when the project was tendered in early 2024, the bids received were significantly over budget—$1.45 million and $1.8 million, respectively. At that time, Council made the difficult decision to decline the tenders due to the high cost and committed to working with the community to find a more affordable path forward.

Since then, staff and the South Shore Pickleball Club have worked closely together to revise the project scope, identify cost savings, and explore funding partnerships. Thanks to that collaboration, Council is now able to move ahead with a plan to build the courts at the MARC. The Municipality will pay for the cost of construction, estimated to be roughly $555,000. We expect grants from other levels of government and third parties to total $150,000. With the lease payments over 15 years, we expect the total cost to the Municipality to be less than $300,000.

“We heard loud and clear how important this facility is to our residents,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “While last year’s bids were far beyond what we could responsibly commit to, we didn’t give up. Thanks to the dedication of our staff and the incredible support and partnership of the South Shore Pickleball Club, we now have a plan that gets the project done without exceeding our financial limits.”

“The construction of these courts will be the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration. We are thrilled that our many dedicated members, which includes provincial, Atlantic, and national champions, are going to have increased access to court time,” says Jared Uhlman, President, South Shore Pickleball Club. “We’re also excited for these courts to serve as a catalyst for introducing many new players to North America’s fastest-growing sport. Our heartfelt thanks go to Council and staff for their invaluable support in making this exciting initiative a reality.”

The South Shore Pickleball Club will operate and maintain the courts, with scheduled time set aside for use by the general public (non-club members) and for District-led recreation programming.

More information about construction timelines and project details will be shared with the public as they are finalized.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Communication and Public Engagement
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Awards Annual Grant Funding

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Published: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 18:38

Each year, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg offers an Annual Operating and Major Recreation Capital Grant program to its non-profit groups to support the many volunteers and volunteer groups that make our communities vibrant, welcoming, and resilient.

This year, under the 2025-2026 Annual Operating Grant Program, the Municipality awarded $99,701 to 43 organizations. Under the Major Recreation Capital Grant Program, the Municipality awarded $52,359 to 8 organizations, enabling them to undertake transformative projects that will promote a more vibrant community.

“Each year, Council is proud to support the volunteers and non-profit groups who strengthen our communities with significant funding investments,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “Through these grant programs, we’re helping to fund important projects and services that make the District of Lunenburg a better place to live, work, and play.”

Municipal staff will be reaching out to community groups shortly to update them on their grant applications.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Communications and Public Engagement
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Passes 2025-26 Budget

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Published: Tuesday, 08 April 2025 19:05

The District of Lunenburg approved the 2025-26 operating and capital budgets at the Tuesday, April 8 Council meeting, reinforcing its commitment to five strategic priority areas: Infrastructure Upgrades, Expansion, and Management; Quality of Life, Affordability, and Social Inclusion; Regional Economic Development; Climate Change Action; and Communication and Engagement.

“This is the first budget of the new Council term, and we took a fresh approach by holding all budget discussions in public and inviting community input,” says Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “While participation was lower than hoped, we see this as the beginning of a more open and inclusive process.”

The District approved an annual operating budget of $46,693,200, with a projected surplus of $120,600. The capital budget and Canada Community-Building Fund investment total $18,370,100. This responsible financial plan ensures that the District continues to invest in services and infrastructure while maintaining strong financial management.

“We are maintaining the commercial and residential tax rates,” says Mayor McLean-Wile. “Council also agreed to target low-income residents through our Property Tax Rebate program by increasing the top income bracket, providing more help to more residents. The 2025-26 budget reflects our commitment to affordability, climate action, and community investment—including expanded support for fire services, PRO Kids, and the launch of public transit. I want to thank staff for their thoughtful work in delivering a strong, balanced financial plan that positions us well for the future.”

Major Capital Investment Summary by Strategic Priority

Read the Budget highlights at: modl.ca/Budget

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Media contact:

Elana Wentzell, CPA CMA

Director of Finance and Municipal Treasurer
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
(902) 541-1322 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Council Approves $600,000 Allocation for Water Supply Upgrade Lending Program

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Published: Thursday, 16 January 2025 08:28

DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – Council has approved a $600,000 allocation from the general operating reserve to bolster the Clean Energy Financing (CEF) Water Supply Upgrade Lending Program. This funding aims to address the increasing demand for water supply improvements for households experiencing dry wells.

Many rural households in Lunenburg County rely on private wells, which are increasingly vulnerable to changing weather patterns, including prolonged dry spells and intense storms. In 2016, Council initiated a water coupon program to provide temporary relief by distributing potable drinking water to households with dry wells.

Recognizing the limitations of the water coupon program, Council launched the Water Supply Upgrade Lending Program in 2023. This initiative offers financial assistance to owner-occupied households for water system upgrades, including drilling wells, through a loan of up to $20,000 or 15% of the property's assessed value. Administered by the Clean Foundation, the program provides a sustainable solution, with loans registered as property liens and repaid with interest, ensuring minimal net cost to the Municipality.

The program's initial annual budget of $50,000 allowed for upgrades to approximately three properties per year. However, following an exceptionally dry season, the waitlist has expanded to 31 households, with a projected wait time of up to ten years at current funding levels.

The approved $600,000 allocation will eliminate the backlog, enabling immediate assistance for waitlisted applicants and ensuring long-term water security for residents.

"Council’s decision reflects our dedication to addressing the water security challenges faced by our residents," said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. "By investing in long-term solutions, we aim to support our community’s resilience against the effects of climate change and ensure that our residents have access to reliable water sources."

For more information about the Water Supply Upgrade Lending Program, visit cleanfoundation.ca/energy/water-supply-upgrade.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: District of Lunenburg Takes Next Step in Centre School Site Renewal

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Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2024 10:56

The District of Lunenburg continues its commitment to responsible site management with progress on the demolition, removal, and remediation at the former Centre Consolidated School property. The District is obligated to conduct a Phase III ESA in order to further delineate the areas of site contamination and necessary steps to take in order to achieve regulatory closure.

At the December 10 meeting, Council authorizd staff to award the Phase III Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the former Centre Consolidated School and Sewage Treatment Plant to Strum Consulting Ltd. in the amount of $37,494, including a 20% contingency and net HST. The assessment is expected to take approximately six weeks and will include a class D estimate for the expected cost in time for the 2025/2026 Capital Budgeting process.

“Although the District has pursued the sale of the Centre School property for many years, these efforts have not been successful,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “By moving forward with the Phase III ESA, we are taking necessary steps to remediate the site and position it for future opportunities that benefit our community.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: District of Lunenburg Moves to Address Housing Data Gaps to Support Affordable Housing

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Published: Wednesday, 27 November 2024 14:35

The District of Lunenburg is taking a significant step toward improving affordable housing in the region. At the November 26, 2024, Council meeting, Council directed staff to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a study that will collect updated housing market data and address key data gaps.
Recent reports from the South Shore Housing Action Coalition highlight significant challenges in the region, including rising housing costs, higher rental rates, and increasing homelessness. Without reliable local data, these issues are hard to address, and funding for affordable housing projects is harder to secure.

“The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and other agencies rely on accurate local housing data to support funding for affordable housing projects,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “However, due to a lack of local data, current and future housing developments are at risk of losing out on accessing funding.”

Currently, CMHC uses outdated or incomplete data from other parts of the province, which doesn’t accurately reflect the housing situation in the Lunenburg County area. This has led to a disconnect between reported housing conditions and what residents are experiencing on the ground.

“The Town of Bridgewater has already agreed to contribute to the study, and we will be reaching out to neighboring municipalities in Lunenburg County to see if they would like to join the District in funding this important study,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile.

The estimated cost of the study is $50,000. The results will help ensure affordable housing projects are viable and better positioned to receive necessary funding from government agencies like CMHC.

“This data collection is an urgently needed step to fill gaps and support the development of affordable housing in the region,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: District of Lunenburg Appoints Three New Development Officers

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Published: Wednesday, 27 November 2024 14:31

The District of Lunenburg Council has appointed three new Development Officers: Anna Giblin, Jacob Macpherson, and Carin Mahon. These appointments come as the Municipality prepares for increased development permit applications due to the introduction of mandatory minimum planning requirements required by the Province of Nova Scotia.

Development Officers are responsible for administering the Municipality’s Land Use By-laws and Subdivision By-law, critical components of effective municipal planning. Previously, the District of Lunenburg had two Development Officers.

To address the anticipated increase in demand while maintaining service standards, Council approved the recommendation to appoint the Municipality’s three Planners as Development Officers. This decision leverages existing staff and resources to ensure a seamless transition without increasing costs or hiring additional personnel.

“This move is a proactive step to ensure the District of Lunenburg can continue to deliver efficient and high-quality service,” said Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile. “By appointing our trained planning staff as Development Officers, we’re improving our service capacity without adding new costs or staff. It’s a win-win for our community and taxpayers.”

The District’s Manager of Development has provided specialized training to the appointed Planners, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to take on their expanded responsibilities. This preparation ensures the Municipality is well-positioned to adapt to the evolving demands of land use and development planning.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: District of Lunenburg Announces Official Election Results

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Published: Thursday, 24 October 2024 10:20

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is pleased to announce the official results of the 2024 municipal election.

Mayor Elspeth MCLEAN-WILE (new)
District 1 Morgen REINHARDT (new)
District 2 Martin BELL (acclaimed, returning)
District 3 Wendy OICKLE (returning)
District 4 Pam HUBLEY (returning)
District 5 Cathy MOORE (returning)
District 6 Alison SMITH (new)
District 7 Edgar BURNS (new)
District 8 Kacy DELONG (returning)
District 9 Ben BROOKS (new)
District 10 Chasidy VEINOTTE (acclaimed, returning)
CSAP Diane RACETTE (acclaimed, returning)

The total number of voters in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg who cast their vote is 10,072, which is 45.4% of eligible voters. This exceeds the number of voters who participated in the 2020 MODL municipal election. In 2020 9,084, or 43.9% of eligible voters voted. The 2020 election had three acclaimed Councillors, while the 2024 election had two acclaimed Councillors.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Opens New MARC Ballfields Playground

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Published: Tuesday, 01 October 2024 13:00

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) is pleased to announce we have opened a new playground at the MARC Ballfields.

The Municipal Activity and Recreation Complex in Dayspring, better known as the MARC, is a year-round outdoor recreation facility. With 100 acres of open space, including fields, woods, ponds, brooks and trails, the MARC is perfect for flying a kite, having a picnic, stargazing, watching wildlife near the ponds or exploring the trails on foot, or on mountain bike. The complex also boasts softball fields, an 18-Hole Disc Golf Course (9 baskets), a BMX/Mountain bike skills park and a new children's playground.

“Creating spaces where children and families can come together, play, and enjoy the outdoors is a key priority for Council,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “The new playground at the MARC Ballfields is a wonderful addition to our community, and we look forward to seeing it become a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.”

The MARC Ballfields are located at 97 Leary Fraser Road, Dayspring.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328