Join us monthly to connect with like-minded individuals, learn about exciting projects, and collaborate to advance biodiversity work across the province. Whether you're an NGO leader, an academic, or an enthusiastic individual, your passion for protecting biodiversity is what we need.
Reach out to us at biodiversity@nsenvironmentalnetwork.com for more information. If you're already convinced, complete our interest form and we'll connect with you as soon as possible. Let's make a difference together! The next meeting will be held on April 10th from 2-3 PM.
NS Hiking Summit May 31 to June 2, Antigonish - Hike Nova Scotia’s tenth annual Hiking Summit is May 31 to June 2 in Antigonish. A celebration of hiking culture, it includes workshops, hiking stories, networking and hikes.
Back to the Sea is currently hiring for 7 positions, including a long term contract for Manager of Science Education and various Coordinator positions for this summer. All positions can be viewed here. The deadline to apply is March 31.
"Please check to see if lawn signs that you posted have survived the winter storms. Are there other places you might post a sign too? Sandy Lake lawn signs continue to go out across the Province.
It is best if they go where there is permission, such as folks post them on their own properties, but some signs are staying up when posted on public land.
Sandy Lake will benefit from letters from public figures and leaders as well as from general citizens. If you haven’t yet written, your letters will help now.
We have a change to our ongoing letter campaign. On our website is an example letter to send to the Premier and Minister John Lohr. They are the ones who will decide about their housing development at Sandy Lake. Send it to them at premier@novascotia.ca and dmamin@novascotia.ca and copy us at sandylakecampaign@gmail.com.
Individual Submission: Bill 404 Energy Reform (2024) Act
"Dear Fellow Nova Scotians,
We are writing with urgency about the Nova Scotia government’s Bill 404 Energy Reform (2024) Act which contains Clause 52 that would open the door to nuclear power in our province!
Bill 404 had First Reading Feb. 27, 2024 and is on a rapid road to Third Reading and the Vote by the House.
There is an opportunity to comment through the Legislative Council’s Office. Please join us in this ACTION and feel free to forward the ACTION to others.
While there is much value in Bill 404 Energy Reform (2024) Act, to retain the current prohibition of nuclear power plants in NS the following Clause 52 of Bill 404 must be removed.
CLAUSE 52: Clause 8(1)(a) of Chapter 8 of the Acts of 1992, the Nova Scotia Power Privatization Act, is amended by striking out "and the Company shall not construct a generating plant that utilizes nuclear energy to produce electricity".
ACTION
Please send an email to Legislative Counsel's Office
1. The title of your Email must be “Bill 404 Energy Reform (2024) Act”
2. Salutation: Dear Law Amendments Committee members
3. Send to legc.office@novascotia.ca - the Legislative Counsel’s Office will forward Bill 404 emails to the Law Amendments Committee members
4. State in your words that you want the original prohibition of nuclear power to be retained.
Please Email or phone MLAs
Share your concerns about Bill 404 Clause 52 and ask them to support the removal of Clause 52 from the Energy Reform (2024) Act.
Note: email addresses are in the Microsoft Word and Excel files at this link
With Thanks,
Nancy Covington MD and Mary Lou Harley PhD
Simple truths:
Nuclear Energy has no role in a Clean Reliable Affordable Electricity system for NS.
Radioactive routine releases and radioactive fuel wastes have no place in a Healthy Environment for NS."
Nova Scotia Environmental News
Poor cocoa harvests cause bitter price increase for Easter chocolate
Poor harvests of cocoa — the key ingredient in chocolate — have driven up prices of the raw material, and it's showing up on store shelves this Easter.
Province's decision to scrap Coastal Protection Act leaves gaps in municipal planning
Most municipalities had expected the legislation approved by all parties in the legislature in 2019 to eventually be proclaimed into law, along with a series of regulations. Their planning strategies and land use bylaws reflect that.
Now they're waiting for clarification about how and where people can build along the shoreline, and what the province's decision to download responsibilities onto municipalities will mean in practice.
New report finds offshore wind development in Nova Scotia could be a decade away
Nova Scotia is likely seven to 10 years away from an operating offshore wind farm, according to an interim report released Monday.
The five-person independent committee tasked with assessing offshore wind development in Nova Scotia released the report about a year after the group was assembled by the federal environment minister.
Opposition leaders call on premier to submit a new provincial carbon tax plan to Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has challenged premiers across the country who opposed the federal carbon tax to come up with a credible alternative, but it remains to be seen whether Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston will take him up on the offer.
"We're considering doing that," Houston told reporters at Province House on Wednesday.
How harnessing methane from landfills could help Canada fight climate change
As the black SUV crawls slowly along a gravel road, in the passenger seat Nadia Tarakki taps her finger on the screen of her laptop.
"This is what a plume looks like," she says, her eyes fixed on a flat blue line that's suddenly shot upward.
Out the car's window is a field of brown winter grass dotted with short concrete pillars. It doesn't look like anything around the pillars is moving, but Tarakki knows better.
"That one was leaking a little bit," she says to her fellow researcher, Amirali Foomajd, who's at the wheel. "We'll keep an eye on that one."
The grassy field where Tarakki and Foomajd are driving is a disused landfill outside of Halifax, and the leak they're tracking is methane. It's coming out of wells drilled deep into the pile of long-buried garbage, and being picked up by the sensitive measuring equipment on their black SUV.
Don't forget that you can check out the NSEN Job Board at any time to see the latest job opportunities with NSEN members. Submit a new position or apply today!
CLIMAtlantic: Climate Change and Adaptation Specialist
As the Science and Adaptation Specialist, you will be part of a team that works across Atlantic Canada to support Atlantic Canadians in incorporating data and projections into decision-making. You will be responsible for working with a variety of stakeholders to help them access, understand, and use context-appropriate climate data and projections.
As a Project Manager - Geosciences, you are collaborative and engaged in managing and facilitating research programs to support Nova Scotia’s transition to a low-carbon future. You will be responsible for the successful delivery of projects in the geoscience sector of our renewable energy research portfolio.
The Development Manager position at The Fur-Bearers is a contract position that will work as part of a small and talented team. Renewal of this position is based on performance and budgetary considerations. The ideal candidate is a self-starter whose primary responsibility is creating and executing a long-term fundraising plan that incorporates existing and novel acquisition strategies, donor stewardship, data-driven analysis, and new funding opportunities to support our mission. During the course of this term, success will be measured by the ability to achieve/exceed mutually agreed upon quarterly fundraising goals.
Breaking the Silence Network: Fair Trade Coffee Marketing Coordinator
Fair Trade Coffee Marketing Summer Lead will support BTS in the promotion of their Fair Trade coffee initiative. The successful applicant will work with BTS members in Halifax to support and promote the weekly sale of coffee and awareness of Fair Trade. Under the supervision of BTS staff and with the support of JustUs!, the Fair Trade Coffee Marketing Summer Lead will promote BTS coffee by producing written and visual content.
Have you visited NSEN's Volunteer Hub yet? This tool is a powerful one-stop-shop where NSEN members can post volunteer positions and our network of volunteers can view and apply for opportunities that fit their interests. Submit a new position or apply today!
Earthub is looking for volunteers to support the "Items to Keep Out of the Landfill" program through the collection and distribution of items. Potential duties include drop-off location/transportation coordination, sorting and counting of items, cleaning of items, and promotion of the program.
Nature Nova Scotia is looking for volunteers to conduct research on the moose population in Nova Scotia. Potential tasks include assisting fundraising efforts, trail camera setup, guided hikes, and conducting a literature review on moose health, behaviour, and ecology.
Nature Nova Scotia is looking for volunteers to create nature-themed TikTok content! This position is remote and can take place at your favorite nature sites!
Nova Scotia Environmental Network: Blog Contributor
NSEN is always looking for skilled volunteers to contribute environmental blog posts to feature on our website, newsletter, and social media platforms. Potential duties include conducting online research on topics of interest, writing op-eds on topics you are knowledgeable in, and interviewing environmental experts for Q&A-style posts.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Tides of Change: Accelerating Conservation and Protection Efforts in Atlantic Canada’s Estuaries and Coastal Waters.” The conference will be held from June 4-7th at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION OPEN Abstract submission will remain open until April 12th. You can submit your abstract here.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN Registration is officially open at https://access.wildapricot.org/Registration-Inscription. While we prefer attendance in person, there is a virtual option for attending the conference, however it will not be possible to present papers virtually at the meeting.
Youth Climate Cabinet: National Youth Climate Activism Award 2024
The National Youth Climate Activism Award honours students under the age of 20 and comes with a prize of up to $1000. Make UP-TO a 5 minute video or write a short story of 500 words and tell us how you are taking meaningful steps toward improving the outlook for our planet with respect to climate change. For more information, please visit youthclimateactivismaward.org.
Climate Story Network: Free Articles on Climate Solutions in Nova Scotia/Mi'kma'ki
The Climate Story Network (CSN) is offering professionally written and edited, copyright-free articles about positive climate change projects in Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki.
CSN delivers content on local initiatives and solutions to community media. The free stories are available to community newspapers, newsletters and magazines, First Nations publications, radio broadcasts, online curators…and anyone else looking to deliver impactful climate content to their audiences. Click here to visit the website.
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