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Overview:

  • NSEN Updates
  • Member Updates
  • Calls to Action
  • Nova Scotia Environmental News
  • Job Opportunities
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Other Information

NSEN Updates

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Call for New Board Members

NSEN's volunteer Board of Directors is looking to add some extra capacity as we enter Fall 2026 with exciting new initiatives and elevated future goals. We are now officially inviting members of the public to apply to join our leadership team and help strengthen our ever-growing network!

Click below to read the full details and submit your application by the October 9 deadline!

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NSEN's 2nd Annual Online Auction Fundraiser!

To boost our capacity this year, NSEN is hosting its 2nd Annual Online Auction Fundraiser. Bidding will begin Thursday, October 22nd and continue through Thursday, October 29th. The auction will feature a variety of items from NS artisans and businesses across the province. More details to come about where to place your bids! Please share widely.

Do you have an item or contribution to the auction? Contact Emily at chair@nsenvironmentalnetwork.com.

 

 

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10th Annual Conference on Indigenous Consultation & Engagement Atlantic


October 21 – 22, 2026 | The Prince George Hotel Halifax, Halifax, NS

Exclusive for NSEN members: Save 10% with code: D10-999-NSEN27

Event Website: https://bit.ly/3SIFJTD
Email: customerservice@canadianinstitute.com
Phone: 1-877-927-7936

Celebrating a Decade as Atlantic Canada’s Trusted Forum for Indigenous Consultation, Engagement, and Partnership Building

Join Indigenous leaders, advisors, government decision-makers, regulators, and industry partners at this milestone event as they examine the evolving realities shaping consultation and engagement across the region. From Indigenous rights and economic participation to resource development and reconciliation, explore the legal, political, and practical developments transforming projects and partnerships today.


Reasons to Attend:

  • Tailored Focus on the Atlantic Region
  • Get region-specific insights and solutions tailored to the unique challenges of Atlantic Canada that you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Holistic Perspectives and Strategies
  • Hear directly from Indigenous leaders, government officials, and industry representatives to understand diverse viewpoints and build more balanced, effective consultation strategies.
  • Legal Updates and Practical Implications
  • Stay current on the latest court decisions impacting Indigenous consultation, and walk away with tools to better support Indigenous clients and navigate evolving legal responsibilities.

 

 

 

 

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Member Updates 

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Hiking Summit Oct. 1-4, Digby: Registration Launches

Hike Nova Scotia and co-hosts the Digby Area Recreation Commission, the Fundy Erratics hiking group and Our Pathways Society invite you to the Hiking Summit from October 1 to 4 in Digby. Take in workshops, hikes and more! Register early to secure your spot by September 27.

 

 

Take the Hike NS 20th Anniversary Challenge

Hike NS is 20 years old in 2026. Take our 20th Anniversary Challenge in September and October to help us celebrate and fundraise for our work. Register and complete the challenge to qualify for great prize draws from MEC and earn the limited edition 20th Anniversary badge. 

 

 

October 21st: NS Walks Walk Leader training, online

Learn to be a Walk Leader with NS Walks and help lead a weekly walking group near you. 

 

 

Oct. 24: Backpacker’s Bazaar: Used outdoor clothing and gear sale, Halifax

Join Hike NS for the Backpacker’s Bazaar used outdoor gear sale Sat., Oct. 24,10 am to 4 pm at St. Margaret of Scotland Church Hall (3751 Robie St.) in Halifax. Find good used gear, sell your own gear, donate gear to Hike NS or take in a how-to clinic. Entry fee is $5/person or $10/family. Book a seller’s table in advance for $30. Qualify for prize draws! Supported by MEC Halifax.

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Infrastructure & Natural Building

Local materials • Local skills • Traditional knowledge

The Deanery Project, Lower Ship Harbour, NS 
October 17-18th, 2026

Natural Building EAST returns to The Deanery Project October 17–18, bringing together builders, designers, researchers, material producers, homeowners and the curious to explore practical approaches to building healthy, affordable, low-carbon homes.

This year’s theme, Building From HERE!, asks what becomes possible when we look closer to home — to local materials, local skills and traditional knowledge — while responding to today’s need for housing that is affordable, healthy and energy efficient. The weekend will feature presentations, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, conversations and tours exploring natural building materials, small-footprint living, creative uses of local resources and ways of building well with less. 

Natural Building EAST brings together professionals and newcomers alike. Whether you build homes, dream of building one, or are simply curious about alternatives, there will be lots to see, learn and share.

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SOOFSTOCK Presents... A Little Fall Music
Sat Oct 17, 2pm - 5pm

Join Save Our Old Forests for an afternoon of music at the Bridgetown Legion (20 Jeffrey Street)!  Featuring performances by local bands: Infinity, No Pants By Friday, and Hysterix.  Everyone welcome! Pay-what-you-can entry (suggested $20); proceeds to SOOF.

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 Calls to Action

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Take Action

Your support makes our work possible. Help us fill knowledge gaps, take on some stewardship action, or engage your MLA or MP on a nature issue you care about this fall.

Help Us Deploy More Trail Cameras Looking For The Endangered Mainland Moose

Our fall 2026 raffle is raising funds for moose conservation! Since 2021, Nature Nova Scotia has been studying public perceptions of the Mainland Moose and collecting new sighting reports through our volunteer trail camera program. These efforts are helping us better understand the species, its habitat use, and what exactly Nova Scotians want for moose and our shared wildernesses. We were excited to celebrate a 7th new moose on camera this year, plus so many other wildlife sightings, from bears to bobcats to deer and everything in between. Our public knowledge and opinion survey has also produced hundreds of recent and historic moose sighting reports not previously reported to the province's biodiversity hotline.

Our work over 2021-2026 also confirmed our previous suspicion that many Nova Scotians are not reporting moose or signs of moose to the provincial hotline even though they are seeing moose, with 3/4 survey respondents saying they were either not aware of the provincial hotline or that they chose not to report their sightings due to mistrust or skepticism of provincial efforts to conserve the mainland moose or its habitat.

These respondents do seem comfortable speaking with and reporting moose to Nature Nova Scotia staff, so we are hopeful that continued community engagement will break down these awareness- and trust-related barriers and result in more citizen science data generated for moose. Help us expand our trail camera network with a raffle ticket purchase!

 

Contact your MLA and encourage them to update the Provincial Parks Act.

Nature Nova Scotia and Ecology Action Centre have called for the province to amend the Provincial Parks Act following the debacles that happened at Owls Head and West Mabou Beach, in an attempt to prevent this kind of secretive corporate capture of public lands, and until the last election we were making some progress in discussions with government. All communication with the province died, however, when the Premier announced his new “Take The No Out Of Nova Scotia” campaign, villainizing scientists, the media, and anyone concerned for the health of the natural world. Nova Scotia already allows for sustainable kinds of economic activities in our parks, from surf board rentals to guided tours to small local food venues. Remind the Nova Scotia government and its rich corporate friends that “No Means No” to big business and destructive developments in provincial parks.

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Help put nature in the provincial budget

We’re honoured to be part of such a passionate community of people who care about protecting nature. You engage in so many ways, and we are writing to make sure you know about one way available to you right now: the Province of Nova Scotia has invited Nova Scotians to give input into the next provincial budget.

You can send an email in your own words to budget@novascotia.ca. You can also attend one of the online/in-person public sessions taking place between Monday, September 21 and Thursday, October 8. The Province has also created an interactive tool to give input. 

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Nova Scotia Environmental News

 

Charges laid following investigation into alleged illegal landfill outside Halifax

 

Department of Environment has alleged debris, litter were buried at Upper Hammonds Plains site.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment has laid charges following an investigation of an alleged illegal landfill on a 10-hectare property on the outskirts of Halifax, a probe that included drone surveillance and the seizure of equipment.

 

 

Ministerial Order Issued to Demolish Pictou County Pulp Mill Buildings

 

Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman has issued an amended Ministerial Order allowing for the decommissioning, abatement and demolition of buildings and other infrastructure at the former Northern Pulp mill site in Abercrombie, Pictou County. Abatement means safely removing and disposing of any hazardous materials that may be inside the buildings before they are torn down.

The amended Ministerial Order was issued today, August 27, to Northern Timber Nova Scotia Corp. The company has informed the Minister that it expects to begin this work as early as September.

 

 

Just a breeze machine: Art project turning heads and fan blades on the Halifax waterfront 

A stationary bike attached to a giant fan? Well, these kids just had to stop and try it out.

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“With kids you stop everywhere and it was interesting, but we don’t know what it is used for,” said Marilyne Bujold, visiting Halifax from Quebec City this week. Her kids — Charles, 5, and Ellie, 7, Dompierre — were thrilled with the odd device on the Halifax waterfront.

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The mystery behind this kinetic public art piece is part of its charm.

 

 

Unlocking a 400-year old mystery in a Nova Scotia marsh

 

On a river in southwest Nova Scotia, an investigation by a historical sleuth is uncovering long-lost traces of North America’s past.

Allains River (formerly Lequille River) is a winding tributary of the Annapolis River, flowing from the interior of the province to what is now Annapolis Royal. 

Four hundred years ago, the river was home to one of the earliest industrial operations established after colonization: a flour mill built in 1607 and destroyed by fire in 1643.

 

 

Underwater AI data centre proposal concerns Peskotomuhkati leaders in Canada, U.S

Peskotomuhkati people on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border say a proposed underwater AI data centre in Maine threatens a waterway central to their food, culture and identity.

Aaron Dana, a tribal representative to the Maine Legislature, said he is worried environmental impacts of the proposed data centre in Eastport, Maine, could extend into surrounding waters.

He said the fundamental concern for Peskotomuhkati leadership is the waterways that sustained their people for generations.

 

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Job Opportunities

 

Looking for someone to join your team? Have a job opportunity?

NSEN Members (both organizations and individuals) can submit Job Opportunities for our Eco-Connections Newsletter every month. 

 

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Volunteer Opportunities

 

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!

 

 

Here's a few of the open positions!

 

Nova Scotia Water Caucus:

  • Caucus Member
  • Outreach and Events Co-lead
  • Watershed Working Group Co-Chair -New
  • Water Caucus and Steering Committee Co-Chair -New

Halifax North West Trails Association: 

  • Communications Officer
  • Treasurer

Young Naturalists Club:

  • Chapter Volunteer

The Deanery Project:

  • Internal communications and coordination

Nature Nova Scotia:

  • Moose Research Contributor
  • Waterbirds Survey Volunteer

... and more!

 

 

 

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Other Information 

 

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Usability testing for an energy efficiency customer engagement platform.

Thinkwell Shift is looking for a small number of people to take part in a short research session to help us understand what’s clear, what’s confusing, and how we can make the experience better. We are looking to conduct the testing in the n

Before scheduling a session, we have a quick screener to ensure we speak with the right mix of people. It should only take a few minutes

 

 

If you’re a fit for this round of research, Thinkwell Shift will follow up with the details and next steps. 

 

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Cycles of Indigenous Learning Annual Courses – NEW

4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning is now… Cycles of Indigenous Learning!

Each Cycle of Indigenous Learning comes with its own online learning, presentations, recordings and certificate. At an average of 1 hour/month (12 hours in total) spread across the year, we know this is something that nearly everyone can (and should!) do.

Get 25% off registration with code: Cycles25%

 

 

Join NSEN's Growing Network

NSEN is growing, and we want you to be part of it!
With new members, exciting events, and stronger collaboration across the province, there's never been a better time to be connected.

As a member, you can:
✅ Join provincial caucuses on key topics like water, biodiversity, and environmental education
✅ Participate in our annual meeting with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
✅ Share your events, projects, job postings, and calls to action through our newsletter and social media
✅ Share your work in free webinars hosted by NSEN
✅ Recruit volunteers through our Volunteer Hub
✅ Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations at NSEN events

If you're a past member and haven't renewed for 2026, we’d love to welcome you back!

If you’re unsure about your membership status or would like to learn more about joining, please get in touch.

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