HALIFAX - Conservation groups have issued a public appeal for funds to help them acquire an island in Nova Scotia's St. Margaret's Bay.
The St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust say they need to raise $194,000 before an Oct. 26 deadline to close a deal with the private owner of Troop Island.
The groups say they have already secured $626,000 from various donors.
Although they have an opportunity to buy the 12 hectare property, the groups say the owner has subdivided the land and recently began a process that would allow its development.
Nature Trust executive director Bonnie Sutherland says Troop Island is one of the only coastal islands in Nova Scotia that still supports Acadian forest, including maples, yellow birch and spruce.
The island is also home to weltand, saltmarsh and a variety of birds.
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