Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources

Ever wondered what Nova Scotia is made of?

From sparkling amethyst to ancient fossils, the Nova Scotia Gem & Mineral Show in Parrsboro is a celebration of the natural treasures beneath our feet.

If you're in the area, stop by to explore incredible displays, meet collectors and enthusiasts, and discover the geology that helps tell Nova Scotia's story.

The show is on today until Sunday, 10am - 5pm at the Lion’s Recreation Centre.

We’re saddened and disappointed by repeated vandalism at Heather Beach Provincial Park this summer, including attempted break-ins and other damage.

This behaviour is unacceptable and does not reflect the welcoming, respectful communities our parks are meant to serve.

Because of the ongoing damage, we’ve made the difficult decision to remove the accessibility mat and beach wheelchair for the rest of the 2026 season.

We know this will affect people who rely on these supports, and we did not make this decision lightly.

Our beaches belong to everyone. Please help us keep them safe, inclusive and welcoming by reporting suspicious activity to the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

When wildfires strike, every second counts.

That's why we strengthened Nova Scotia's wildfire response this year by contracting four fixed-wing water bombers and a bird dog plane from Forest Protection Limited.

Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton recently visited Forest Protection Limited’s Headquarters in Fredericton. These aircraft are ready to move at a moments notice and can be a game changer for accessing remote fires before they spread to communities.

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From Nova Scotia's forests to Canada's front lines, our crews are making a difference.

A team of Nova Scotia wildland firefighters is currently in Ontario supporting wildfire suppression efforts as part of Canada's mutual aid system. The deployment includes 20 firefighters, along with leadership staff helping coordinate operations on the ground.

We're incredibly proud of the expertise, professionalism, and dedication our crews bring wherever they're needed. While these firefighters support communities in Ontario, teams here at home continue to maintain wildfire readiness across Nova Scotia.

These deployments reflect the strong partnerships that exist across Canada and the outstanding reputation Nova Scotia's wildfire personnel have earned from coast to coast.

Please join us in thanking our crews and wishing them a safe deployment.

Proudly representing Nova Scotia. Proudly supporting Canada.

When our neighbours need a hand, Nova Scotia shows up. ❤️

Two members of Nova Scotia’s Department of Emergency Management and a member of the Department of Natural Resources have headed to British Columbia to support the province during an active wildfire season.

Under the Emergency Management Mutual Aid (EMMA) Agreement, Andrew, Scott and Terry have deployed to Victoria to work alongside B.C. emergency management teams, sharing knowledge, experience and ideas.

They’ll support emergency planning and coordination, while learning from B.C.’s experience managing large and complex wildfires. What they learn will also come home with them — helping us continue to strengthen how we prepare for and respond to emergencies here in Nova Scotia.

Emergency management is about people helping people. It’s about jurisdictions working together, sharing what we know and being there for one another when it matters most.

We’re proud of our team for stepping up to help our colleagues in B.C. — and grateful for the opportunity to learn from them, too.

Safe travels, Andrew, Scott and Terry. Nova Scotia is proud of you. 🍁

Hunters, guides and trappers are now able to purchase most types of Nova Scotia hunting licences online.

The Province has launched an e-licensing pilot program through HuntNS for the base hunting licence, small fur-bearing animals and game birds.

The licences available online include:
-- wildlife habitat stamp (for residents and non-residents), which is the base licence required for all hunting and fur harvesting
-- small game licence (for residents and non-residents), for snowshoe hare and birds such as ring-necked pheasant geese and ducks
-- fur harvester licence (legally restricted to residents), for animals such as beaver, raccoon and fox
-- annual commercial guide licences.

Deer and bear licences are not included in the pilot because of physical harvest tag requirements.

Licences can be purchased at http://huntns.ca. People also still have the option to buy licences in person.