Environmental groups are asking a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge to order the provincial Lands and Forestry Department to do more to protect endangered species.

The groups argue that the government is in violation of its own legislation covering species at risk because it has failed to come up with concrete plans to protect species and help them recover.

To focus their arguments, the groups ⁠— including the Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists, Blomidon Naturalists Society and the Halifax Field Naturalists ⁠— zeroed in on six species.

Those included the Canada warbler and the eastern wood peewee, both songbirds, the black ash and ram's head lady's slipper, both plants, the wood turtle and the iconic mainland moose.

All have been identified by the government as species at risk.

But lawyers for the groups argued Monday that the government has failed to adhere to its own requirements to appoint advisory groups and come up with specific plans to save these species.

Bob Bancroft says the government needs to act to protect species at risk. (CBC)

In most cases, the lawyers said, it has been years since the problem was identified and nothing concrete has been done.

In addition to the environmental groups, biologist Bob Bancroft added his name to those calling on the government to act.

"I mean, obviously something's not working here," Bancroft said outside court.

"I think it's basically stewardship. We don't have a land ethic in this province. And if I own land like I do, I can desecrate it and nobody can do anything. We have laws for driving on the highway so it all works. Why don't we have laws for how you use the land?"

More arguments to be made

When it came time to argue the government's position, lawyer Jeremy Smith questioned whether these groups met the test of a clear legal right at the time of the application.

That prompted a challenge from Justice Christa Brothers.

Brothers pointed out that the government had not opposed the groups getting standing for this court action, so they are now stuck with the process.

The lawyers were not able to complete their arguments on Monday. They will return to court on Oct. 1.

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