Biodiversity Act (SNS 2021, c 3).

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the stewardship, conservation, sustainable use and governance of biodiversity in the Province, as part of an integrated framework of legislation, while recognizing (a) biodiversity has inherent value; (b) conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is a responsibility shared by all Nova Scotians; (c) the importance of reducing the direct pressures on biodiversity and promoting restoration and sustainable use; and (d) the importance of implementation of this Act through participatory planning, education, sharing of information and capacity building. The Minister is responsible for the supervision and management of this Act and its powers are listed under section 8, these include develop, co-ordinate, adopt and implement policies, standards, guidelines and programs for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; establish or adopt goals and targets; co-ordinate and implement biodiversity policies and programs. The Minister may also enter into an agreement with any person, including the Government of Canada, the government of a province of Canada or a municipality, or with an agency of any of the foregoing, for any purpose related to this Act or the regulations, including an agreement respecting the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; the conduct of biodiversity or ecological investigations; development and implementation of collaborative programs for the classification, inventory and assessment of biodiversity; research, programs and measures, etc. The Minister may cause studies, retain experts with expertise in the areas of natural science, etc.
The Minister, with the approval of the Governor in Council, may establish and administer a biodiversity management zone on any land vested in Her Majesty in right of the Province; alter the boundaries or declare that is not anymore a biodiversity management zone. Biodiversity management zone on private land are voluntary and are established by the Minister with the consent of the landowners.