In a surprising turn of events, Ann Caverzan witnessed the arrival of an excavator and dump truck on her street last month. This was a welcome sight for Caverzan and her neighbors in Maders Cove, Nova Scotia. The heavy equipment was brought in to remove a rock retaining wall and gravel that had been used to fill in a section of Westhaver Pond.
The infill, which had been carried out by a property owner who attempted to sell the land twice, was located near Caverzan’s residence. Concerned about the violation of the Nova Scotia Environment Act, which mandates approval for any changes to wetlands, Caverzan and her community had been advocating for the removal of the infill since 2022.
Following scrutiny from the Department of Public Works, it was revealed that the infill was encroaching on the province’s right-of-way and obstructing a culvert. The Department decided to take action due to drainage issues caused by the infill, ultimately leading to its removal.
After the rocks were cleared, the area was left as bare earth. However, signs of regrowth have begun to show, allowing nature to reclaim the space. Sarah Stevens, another resident of Maders Cove, highlighted the importance of preserving the wetland around Westhaver Pond, which is home to diverse wildlife and lush vegetation.
The small infilled area, slightly larger than a parking space, was auctioned off by the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg in 2021. Despite failed attempts by the current owner to sell the property, the infill was removed, and the restoration process has begun.
Caverzan emphasized that the incident has raised awareness about conservation efforts in the area. The municipality recently passed a land conservation policy, aiming to conserve 20% of land and watersheds by 2030. Residents like Stevens and Caverzan hope that the municipality will consider acquiring the plot at the corner of Westhaver Pond to support their conservation goals.
Despite the positive outcome, the property owner declined to comment on the matter. The community’s advocacy has spurred the municipality to reevaluate its role in conservation and explore ways to protect environmentally significant areas.