Kejimkujik National Park protects a fairly rich coastal plain flora, Cape Breton Highlands National Park protects some arctic-alpine species, and both contain a sampling of the rich hardwood flora. However, national parks alone cannot shoulder the responsibility for conserving our flora. Indeed, many of our rare species do not occur in national parks. They occur in narrowly restricted areas such as the Tusket River valley, or the Windsor gypsum area. So they can be protected only on a local scale.
Further exploration is needed.
Important discoveries may yet be made by a local naturalist armed only with a wild flower guide. Nova Scotia is at a critical point in botanical conservation. Several hundred years of resource extraction with minimal consideration of conservation have left a large number of plant species in an extremely precarious situation. Wise action, if taken soon, could intervene in time to save these species. Citizens can assist in the protection of rare plant species both by attempting to protect natural areas on a local scale, and by urging their elected representatives to provide necessary legislation.