Getting a Site Designated as a Special Place

All archaeological sites, both known and unknown, are protected in Nova Scotia under the Special Places Protection Act. There are currently six designated Special Places in Nova Scotia: Joggins Fossil Cliffs; Parrsboro Fossil Site; Debert Palaeo-Indian Site; Fletcher Lock (Shubenacadie Canal); Port Morien Old French Coal Mine; and, Belleisle.

If you are interested in having a site designated under the Special Places Protection Act, follow these steps:

1.Identify a group of local residents or other stakeholders interested in protecting, managing or developing an outstanding heritage resource. This could include landowners, development groups, scientists and historians.

2.Contact the Special Places office at the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. Staff will provide more details on the designation process and if applicable work with your group to complete the work needed for further evaluation.