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NSEN News & Updates
Member Updates
Calls to Action
Nova Scotia Environmental News
Green Job Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Other Information
NSEN Updates
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 ✅ Highlight 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, we’d love to welcome you back! If you haven't yet renewed for 2025, now’s the time. And if you're thinking about joining for the first time, there's never been a better moment!
If you’re unsure about your membership status or would like to learn more about joining, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to connect!
Ecology Action Centre Save The Date: Climate Action Volunteer Fair
The Fair will take place on Sunday, March 29th at the Brewery Market from 12-5pm.
For grassroots groups and other community organizations, the Climate Action Volunteer Fair will be a great time to connect with eager people hoping to contribute their time and talents, and with different organizations and groups who do fantastic climate work in our community. If your group is interested in having a table at the Fair, please fill out this application form (https://forms.office.com/r/smP5RExXhx) by Monday, March 9th.
For people interested in volunteering, the Climate Action Volunteer Fair will be an amazing opportunity to connect with groups and organizations where you can get more involved - and to learn more about our Climate Leadership Badge program! Mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Hike NS is now seeking applications to co-host the 2027 Hiking Summit, with a deadline of February 28, 2026. A celebration of hiking culture, the Summit moves to a different part of the province every year to support the local hiking movement and highlight local trails and attractions. With up to 250 people expected, such an event is also an economic boost to a community.
Five Bridges Wilderness Trust: Save the Date: 2026 Annual General Meeting
Step Into Stewardship — Be Part of Guiding the Future of the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area. The Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust invites community members, supporters, and partners to attend our upcoming Annual General Meeting on March 14, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
The meeting will take place at the Estabrooks Community Centre, where we’ll share updates on current projects, celebrate achievements, and outline priorities for the coming year.
As we prepare for the AGM, we encourage members to renew their memberships and support the Trust’s volunteer driven conservation work. Annual memberships are $10 for individuals or $15 for families. You can acquire your membership at the AGM (Cash only) or visit our website linked below. Your membership helps fund trail improvements, conservation projects, and community outreach across the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area — sustaining the wild spaces we all care about.
This AGM is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow wilderness stewards, learn more about ongoing conservation efforts, and help shape the direction of the Trust’s work. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sun. Mar. 8 - SOOF Winter Adventure at Four Mile Stillwater
Save Our Old Forests (SOOF) is excited to team up again with Medway Community Forest Co-op (MCFC) and Annapolis County Winter Recreation team for another Winter Adventure at the Four Mile Stillwater Trail. Join Angelika and Ashlea on Sunday, March 8 from 2pm - 4pm for a guided walk/snowshoe through the beautiful mixed forest to learn about the work being done to protect hemlock trees in Kespukwitk. Snowshoes will be available to try out… if there’s snow! The winter adventure is for humans only - please leave your four-legged friends at home!
Come join Save Our Old Forests (SOOF) at the Centrelea Community Hall (3495 Highway 201) for our March SOOF Soup Sunday! Doors open and lunch is served starting at 12 pm. Shortly after 1pm, Guest Speaker Keith Egger will host a talk about Postfire Mushrooms and what role fungi play in the postfire ecosystem.
Free lunch. All Welcome. Donations to the Hall appreciated.
Sat. March 28th - Trail Camera Workshop with Bev Wigney
Join Save Our Old Forests and Guest Speaker Bev Wigney at the Centrelea Community Hall (3495 Hwy 201) on Saturday March 28 from 1pm-3pm for a hands-on trail camera workshop. Bev has been using trail cams around her property in Round Hill for the past several years to document the wildlife passing through. Her recent exhibit ReWild: The Art & Science featured artwork and video clips from the trail cameras. In this workshop, Bev will share her tips and tricks for getting the best results from your trail camera – including camera settings and best placement.
Save Our Old Forests: We Are All Treaty People Rally
It is time to shoulder-to-shoulder again, this time at Province House while the NS Legislature is in its Spring Session.
TUESDAY MARCH 3, 2026 - 12pm - Province House (gathering on Granville Street)
Bring your signs and posters, bring your chants and drums!
We’re not giving up!
We’re not backing down!
TOGETHER, WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE
Ecology Action Centre: Vote for Common Roots
Common Roots is honoured to be shortlisted alongside some incredible Maritime organizations for the MacGillivrays Journeys Grant, and public voting is open until March 6th.
This funding would help sustain CRUF’s two urban community farm sites that support local food access and community wellbeing through gardening. If Common Roots matters to you or your community, we’d be so grateful for your vote. Learn more and share widely at the link below!
Scotian Shores has recorded over 200 cleanups in 2026 thus far and is preparing for two upcoming group events in March.
March 2026 Events March 7/8 - Crows Neck Beach Mar 20/21/22 - Advocate Harbour
The focus this year is on how many lobster bands are being found across the province. If you wish to help us, please report your findings to our Facebook group at https://www.scotianshores.com/facebookgroup
The team is also making preparations for our Earth Day weekend in Yarmouth to take place on April 24/25/26. We are looking for local businesses and contacts to assist in making this event a success. Please reach out to scotianshores@gmail.com.
Grandpa Jeff and grandson doing a beach cleanup in margaretsville
Sandy Lake Conservation Association: The Data Doesn't Lie
Let’s talk numbers. The proposed Sandy Lake - Sackville River Park isn’t just ‘empty’ land, not just ‘real estate’ - it’s a biodiversity haven.
117 bird species
99 species that nest here
16 Species-At-Risk plus 8 Species of Concern (birds, turtles, bats, and more)
Rare old-growth forest & 11 habitats
This is one of HRM’s last great natural refuges. We need housing, but we must build it wisely - not by destroying what we can never replace.
The science is clear. Building the Province’s SPA housing development beside Sandy Lake will do serious damage to Sandy Lake Regional Park and Sackville River’s outstanding natural assets. The choice should be clear to preserve the area that was identified in 1971 as a natural ‘gem’ worth preserving for all. Amazingly, those assets are still there, waiting to be saved. Visit http://www.sandylakecoalition.ca/ to learn more.
Add your voice. Demand a better future for Sandy Lake.
Contact your MLA. Challenge the claim that lakeside development does no harm - that’s a fantasy.
Butters the bird a popular draw on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore
Amanda Dyke of Jeddore, N.S., likes to feed birds in the winter, but when she noticed a colourful new bird perched on her deck recently, she didn't know what kind it was.
The bird, a yellow-throated warbler, a species that typically resides in Mexico and Central America had taken residence in her backyard. In the summer months, it heads to the southeastern United States, but it rarely makes its way this far north, especially at this time of year.
N.S. entrepreneur developing mushroom roots as sustainable, high-protein food product
Researchers at Acadia have teamed up with an entrepreneur to develop and fine-tune a process they hope will someday use the mycelium to produce a high-protein powder for the commercial food market. While mushrooms themselves are about 90 per cent water, and generally have protein levels around two per cent, the mycelium Walker and McNeill produce is around 40 per cent protein.
Not only will it be using the agricultural food waste that would otherwise be disposed of, the product will also require less energy than some other protein sources.
NSCC launches power line worker program in Sydney to meet growing demand
A growing demand for power line repair in the province has prompted the Nova Scotia Community College to launch a one-year certification program in power and utility line work to their campus with the help of Nova Scotia Power.
The demand for workers is due to aging infrastructure and this program is a tremendous opportunity for the local economy.
Canada rolls out whalesafe strategy to curb right whale entanglements
The federal government is rolling out its "whalesafe fishing gear strategy," a five-year plan to develop and support the use of new fishing gear to reduce the risk of entangling whales — specifically the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
Whalesafe gear falls into two categories: on-demand gear, which uses acoustic signals to lift fishing pots from the ocean floor and removes vertical ropes in the water, and lower-breaking links, designed to break at 1,700 pounds of force, meaning it's easier for whales to free themselves if they become entangled.
DFO said it will work with partners to access fisheries across Canada, and identify areas with a high risk of whale entanglement to support testing and implementation of gear modifications and systems to alleviate harm to whales.
DFO to install trackers on fishing equipment to better monitor ocean conditions
While DFO does its own monitoring and sampling, the size of Canada's coastline means other types of monitoring are helpful.
Water monitoring provides critical information to support decision-making for the protection of aquatic ecosystems, economic stability, and ensuring that Canada’s ocean sectors, coastal communities, and local industries can continue to thrive.
The two-year pilot project will see wireless data loggers installed directly on trawls and cages that will record temperature and depth. The subsurface temperature data in Canadian coastal waters is limited, and it hopes the new efforts help bridge the gap.
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!
Birds Canada: Senior Director, Wildlife Tracking Systems
Reporting to the Vice President, Science, the Senior Director, Wildlife Tracking Systems directs and grows a team currently numbering ~10 staff and liaises and negotiates with Motus-compatible technology companies and innovators, to ensure that bird conservation priorities are best served by current and emerging technologies. Working closely with the Senior Director, Data Science and Technology, who has responsibility for data standards and governance, to ensure decisionmakers have high quality information to inform conservation actions.
Canadian Sea Turtle Network: Sea Turtle Educational Outreach Intern
This position combines experience in science and environmental public education as well as in retail and tourism. At the Sea Turtle Centre, the Sea Turtle Educational Outreach Intern will teach members of the general public about the biology of sea turtles, the research of the CSTN, and the critical role Canadians play in sea turtle conservation worldwide.
The intern will also have the opportunity to help mentor the young people involved in the Sea Turtle Centre volunteer programs and will help develop and implement a range of special programming for public events. The Sea Turtle Educational Outreach intern may also help with various administrative tasks in the CSTN main office as needed.
Location: Canadian Sea Turtle Centre, Halifax Waterfront, Nova Scotia
The Operations Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of the Jijuktu’kwejk Watershed Alliance’s programs and projects in support of its mission to restore, protect, and steward the Jijuktu’kwejk (Cornwallis) River watershed. This role includes managing field operations, engaging with community members and partners, and supporting organizational development through communication, outreach, and reporting. The Operations Manager reports to the Board of Directors of the JWA, and will manage 2-4 summer interns from May to August each year. The role is based on a work-from-home model, with some field work and some team meetings at local libraries or other accessible and appropriate spaces.
Location: Hybrid: Annapolis Valley, NS. Online and fieldwork
Application Deadline: Applications will be received and considered until the best applicant is hired
The successful applicant will contribute to the stewardship and outreach work at Watersheds Canada by working to raise landowner awareness of water stewardship principles and environmental impacts on Canada’s freshwater. Working with landowners, education institutions, businesses, and organizations, the Education program administrator student is responsible to assist in the delivery of Watersheds Canada’s online outreach programming.
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled
Medway Community Forest Co-operative Ltd: Community Engagement & Ecological Forestry Intern
The Community Engagement & Ecological Forestry Intern will play a key role in connecting people to the Medway Community Forest and the surrounding communities by promoting community events, engaging the public, and managing visitor experience. The position will support a wide range of activities across MCFC’s forestry operations, community outreach, biodiversity monitoring, recreation management, and forest health initiatives, blending field based forestry and conservation work with community engagement, digital communications, and campground support. The intern will work closely with the MCFC’s Operations Manager and Ecological Forestry Co-ordinator, and engage with several partner organizations involved in sustainable, community-based forest management.
This role is ideally suited for someone passionate about rural community development, ecological forestry, public outreach and outdoor fieldwork.
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!
Re-Imagining Atlantic Harbours: Love Your Lake Project Advocate
Potential Duties
Supporting community events.
Supporting field technicians.
Designing and delivering story collection opportunities!
Promotion of program.
Skills Needed A passion for Lake ecosystems and community engagement. Experience based on the Eastern Shore and a demonstrated love of the lakes and community.
Review trail-camera photos and record any relevant wildlife observations (e.g., animal detections) in the shared photo folder and the project Excel file.
Assist with moose-related meetings and guided hike events.
Check iNaturalist and Facebook monthly for new moose-sighting reports.
Contribute to writing the mainland moose research paper.
Distribute project posters in businesses throughout HRM and surrounding rural areas.
Join our working groups and sub committees for more hands on approaches to different initiatives in the water sector.
Take on specific roles based on interests and expertise, including: Co-chair, Secretary, Event Planner, Recruitment/Outreach, Communications, Fundraising Support, or Strategic Planning.
Skills Needed
A drive for knowledge and awareness towards water conservation, or outreach/education efforts.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
An understanding of the importance of collaboration and advocacy.
Familiar with online meeting platforms and forums.
Commitment: 1 hour per month with flexibility for more involvement for specific tasks or projects.