The Jewel of Annapolis County
Goldsmith Lake is the largest lake in the Round Hill River watershed, a sub watershed of the Annapolis River. Unlike many of the other lakes in the area Goldsmith has not been dammed for hydroelectricity or water supply. Neither Goldsmith nor Corbett Lake to the east have been developed for summer or permanent homes, being formerly Bowater lands and now Crown.
The forests surrounding these two lakes are known to biologists, ecologists and interested residents of the area as being healthy, particularly rich in biodiversity, and relatively unspoiled by roads and logging. Almost nowhere in Nova Scotia is untouched. This area is some of the very best of what we do have.
The Citizen Scientists of Southwest Nova Scotia submitted a proposal to the Protected Areas Branch (Environment and Climate Change) to protect an area of 3900 ha of Crown land surrounding Goldsmith Lake. The original proposal was submitted in November 2022. Since that time there has been a lot of exploration done in the area which has confirmed identification of 95 occurrences of Species At Risk, and discoveries of previously unidentified areas of forests that meet the criteria of “Old Growth” and have been reported to the Department of Natural Resources.
If it were to be designated “protected” the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area would include both Goldsmith and Corbett lakes, as well as headwaters of the Round Hill River, and Tupper Brook, patches of recognised old growth and other areas of high conservation value old forest.
LICHEN CAMP 2025
What is Lichen Camp? Lichen Camp is a research camp dedicated to educating the public and the government about biodiversity and the importance of protecting it. The camp is run by a loose collection of people working to protect the proposed Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area in Annapolis County. Follow the Friends of Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area on Facebook for updates from camp.
- In 2021 the Nova Scotia government put into law a commitment to protect 20% of our lands and waters by 2030.
- In 2022, the Citizen Scientists of Southwest Nova Scotia proposed this 3900 hectare area of forests, wetlands and lakes to the Minister of Environment for protection as the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area. They have been exploring the area ever since, discovering old growth forests and species at risk.
The first Lichen Camp was set up on March 2nd, 2024, a little to the west of Goldsmith Lake. It ran until September 28th, 2024. Having a base camp proved to be very helpful for both research and education. One highlight of that camp was the opportunity to work with shalan joudry of L’sitkuk (Bear River First Nation), guiding Mi’kmaw youth on a hike into the oldest old-growth forest we have found to date in the area.
- In May 2024, the Citizen Scientists submitted An Updated Proposal to Protect the Goldsmith Lake Area, having identified 62 species at risk occurrences.
- By March 2025, the total number of species at risk occurrences reported was over 100. These include Frosted Glass Whiskers, Blue Felt and Black Foam lichen plus Black Ash, five species of birds and American Marten.
- As of February 2025, Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area has 21 stands of recognized old-growth forest. These surround Goldsmith Lake. More stands have been identified and reported near Corbett Lake.
For 2025, Lichen Camp is located in the eastern part of the proposed Wilderness Area, on the peninsula between Corbett and Dalhousie Lakes.
We continue to call for a pause on all logging, road building and industrial activities in the area until the Department of the Environment has had a chance to assess it for permanent protection. The government’s own Collaborative Protected Areas Strategy calls for the Department of Natural Resource to work with Environment and citizens to meet the targets of protecting 15% by 2026 and 20% by 2030. Instead DNR supports logging in the area. It is past time for all of us to work together to protect the best of what is left. Research and education matter. So does public pressure.
Proposal To protect
The Citizen Scientists of Southwest Nova Scotia originally submitted a proposal to the
Minister of Environment and Climate Change in November 2022 to protect the Goldsmith Lake area in Annapolis County as part of the 20% by 2030 target.
The proposal was updated in May 2024 to incorporate observations that had been documented over the course of 18 months.
The updated proposal included a request that the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area area be placed under consideration for protection as part of the 1.35% of Nova Scotia that will be protected by March 2026 to meet the 15% interim target.
Species at risk (SAR) at Goldsmith Lake
Citizen Scientists have identified, confirmed and reported sightings of the following SAR in the forests around Goldsmith Lake. Check the Intro to Lichens page to learn more about the role these fascinating organisms play in the ecosystem of forests and what they can tell us about the environment.
- Blue felt lichen (Pectenia plumbea)
- Frosted glass-whisker lichen (Sclerophora peronella)
- Black foam lichen (Anzia colpodes)
- Wisqoq or Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)
- Common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
- Chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica)
- Olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)
- Rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus nigrans)
Photo Credit: Ashlea Viola
In addition to the SAR that have been documented and confirmed, the endangered species American Marten (Martes americana) was observed and reported within the borders of the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area. The American Marten has been declared a Species at Risk in Cape Breton, this Marten is apparently about to be declared at risk in the whole province. It has been observed and reported within the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area.
Join the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area project on iNaturalist!
Join Friends of Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area on Facebook!
