Have you heard of these Caucuses? As the fall approaches our Caucus leaders are looking for new members. Take a look below at both the Water Caucus and the Climate Caucus and hopefully get involved!
The woods and waters around Sandy Lake are still wild, hosting trout, salmon, snapping turtles, migratory birds, old-growth forests, and more. However, these conservation-worthy areas around the park are at risk due to plans for a housing development that are being fast-tracked by the provincial Task Force on Housing in HRM. Take action by sending a special letter to decision-makers to speak up for biodiversity and climate resilience over suburban sprawl.
Join School Strike 4 Climate Halifax for the fifth global youth climate strike on Friday, September 15!
The disturbing effects of the climate crisis are becoming apparent in Mi'kma'ki/Nova Scotia, across Canada, and around the world. As youth, we are inspired by the actions already underway that will help secure our future, but we must continue to hold our leaders accountable and demand strong climate policy at all levels of government. Action must be based on climate justice. This crisis disproportionately affects BIPOC, low-income, rural, and other marginalized communities.
On Friday, September 15th, we will meet at Grand Parade/Halifax City Hall at 12:30 for opening remarks. We will then march through downtown Halifax (route TBA), returning to City Hall for speeches.
If you have any questions or wish to be involved, email schoolstrike4climatehfx@gmail.com and share the Facebook event with your friends and family.
Save Our Old Forests is a project of the Arlington Forest Protection Society, a member group of Nature Nova Scotia. The Society saved 46.7 acres of pristine forest from logging back in 2021 by raising enough funds to purchase the property and protect it. They are now working to spread awareness and save other old forests in South West Nova Scotia. SOOFSTOCK is the Society's festival, starting August 26th, bringing southwest communities together to network, enjoy some music and good food, and discuss old forest issues. Nature NS board members Bob Bancroft and Donna Crossland will be present to lead a guided walk and discussion about old forest wildlife.
Click the button below for everything you need to know about SOOFSTOCK the Music Festival!
Fall programming including stained glass and bike workshops are on the horizon! Keep your eyes peeled on our new Facebook page, Instagram, or website!
We're hiring!
We are hiring for programming & communications! If you love the arts, have a passion for the environment, and enjoy working in a beautiful, serene, remote setting - please email your resume to thedeaneryproject@gmail.com
The Deanery is seeking volunteers!
In particular, we are restarting both our volunteer building and programming committees this fall. Do you have particular skills or an interest in construction, maintenance, natural building or program planning, coordinating, or hosting? We want to hear from you!
Have questions? Please email us or call 902-845-1888 for more information!
Located at 140 Alderney Drive in Martin's Park, Dartmouth, the community aquarium is finally ready to take in visitors. Bring the kids and come see the fin-tastic ocean creatures that we have here in Nova Scotia.
While we are still raising funds for our full-size, custom touch tanks, we will have a mini touch tank with the same local species to learn about. We are open Wednesday - Sunday from 10AM-6PM. SEA you there!
"We are happy to announce that we now have more ways to spread the word in our campaign to preserve and protect the 2,800 acres of wildlife and aquatic habitat surrounding the Sandy Lake - Sackville River area!
1. We have signs! Lawn, yard, window, balcony… however you prefer to call them, they are here! Request your sign through the Coalition website or download a printable PDF copy (www.sandylakecoalition.ca/take-action). We would like to see these signs across the province to convey to the Provincial Government that what happens at Sandy Lake is a Nova Scotian concern, not just a Bedford concern. Currently, we are only able to offer one pick-up location at the EAC Offices in Halifax. If you are able to act as a pick-up location, please get in touch - we would greatly appreciate your help!
2. Social Media: We’re on Instagram! Find our account by searching “@sandylake.sackvilleriver”. On Facebook, we are sharing Coalition news through one of our founding members, the Sandy Lake Conservation Association. Follow us to keep up to date, and please share widely with your members and friends. Use “#savesandylake” in your own posts about the Sandy Lake area to further spread the word.
We must gain traction now on a provincewide scale as the point-of-no-return is quickly approaching for irreversible development actions within the “Sandy Lake Special Planning Area” designated by the Nova Scotia Provincial Task on Housing. HRM’s website currently lists the area as “shovel ready” for Spring 2024.
This land west of Sandy Lake is a highly valuable ecological area and includes the headwaters of Sandy Lake. What happens there will not only affect our vision of an expanded Regional Park, but it will directly affect the health of Sandy Lake, the Sackville River, and wildlife corridors to BMBCL and the Chebucto Peninsula - help us make sure that decades of work to protect this special area is not lost now."
Join us in lobbying the provincial government to implement a moratorium on Aerial Spraying of pesticides and herbicides on Nova Scotia Forests!
"Extinction Rebellion NS is requesting that Environmental Groups in Nova Scotia join the growing number of groups, municipalities, and citizens in lobbying the Nova Scotia Minister of the Environment and Climate Change to implement a moratorium on Aerial Spraying of pesticides and herbicides on Nova Scotia Forests. In this case, glyphosate-based herbicides.
See below for a suggested letter template. XRNovaScotia supports this letter and is encouraging sending it to Minister Halman."
July was the warmest month on record for most of the Maritimes
The preliminary numbers are in and, not surprisingly, July 2023 will go down as the warmest of any month on record for many locations in the Maritimes. The days in July were hot and, importantly, the nights were also warm across the region.
A relentless southerly wind throughout the month kept the humidity high across the region, leading to increasingly warm, and above-average, sea surface temperatures.
Nova Scotia wildfires helped renew the province's blueberry crop
A Nova Scotia blueberry farmer lost his equipment and 20 per cent of his crop in a wildfire this summer, but his fields are already showing sprouts of growth as the plants bounce back from the fire.
How a conveyor belt of tropical moisture made for a historic rainfall in N.S.
CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon explains why the recent flooding event in Nova Scotia was so extreme. He says what turned the rainfall from impactful to historical was something called training thunderstorms.
Cape Breton boatbuilders help DFO to face commercial, climate change challenges
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is having four new patrol boats built in rural Cape Breton to address some of the challenges faced by fisheries enforcement officers.
The new boats are larger than the existing ones to better deal with the effects of climate change, larger commercial vessels and heavier fishing gear. Once completed, the boats will be used in the Atlantic region.
Lonely Bay of Fundy orca may help researchers understand species behaviour
A Quebec-based marine researcher is hoping the regular visits of an orca whale to the Bay of Fundy will help shed light on the behaviour of the species in Atlantic Canada.
An orca dubbed Old Thom has made nearly annual appearances in the area for the past two decades, particularly around New Brunswick's Grand Manan Island.
Lyne Morissette, CEO of marine consulting firm Expertise Marine, said knowledge about the presence of the species in the region is limited.
"Old Thom means everything for future research," said Morissette. "The first step in establishing a program on orcas for the northwest Atlantic is to understand where they are, when they are here, and why."
Waterspouts were spotted off the coast of Cape Breton Wednesday morning in the Chéticamp area.
A line of developing cumulus clouds and showers rolling into the area produced the waterspouts. At one point there were two occurring at the same time.
Waterspouts are essentially tornadoes that occur over water as a vortex of wind connects the base of the cloud to the water. What you see is condensed water droplets within a spinning vortex of wind.
Every Wednesday we share a Nova Scotia Nature Photo on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Have you taken photos of beautiful places around the province? Share them with us for a chance to be featured on our page!
This photo of a calm day was captured by Andrew MacDonald at Hirtle's Beach in Nova Scotia.
Green Job Opportunities
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!
In the role of Communications Coordinator, you will work closely with the two other staff to deliver our child and youth program called Flying Squirrel Adventures. Your role will be focused on communications, making sure we have a regular and consistent social media presence, updating the website, designing posters, etc. If possible, you will attend some of our programs to help document participation which will inform our communications and social media postings. This role is well suited to a creative individual with an eye for design, a love of nature and an intrigue for social media.
CLIMAtlantic: Climate Change Adaptation Learning & Training Coordinator
This is a 4-year term with CLIMAtlantic. As the Climate Change Adaptation Learning & Training Coordinator, you will be responsible for coordinating climate change adaptation learning and training programs delivered by CLIMAtlantic. This position is primarily virtual but based in Atlantic Canada.
You will work with the CLIMAtlantic team, project partners, as well as adaptation specialists from across the region, including the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC). You will play an important role as a team member at CLIMAtlantic, as the coordinator of online and in-person learning programs, and as the lead of a community of practice.
Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute: Landowner and Municipal Outreach Intern
The Landowner and Municipal Outreach Intern will support MTRI in the delivery of its conservation implementation project in the southwest Nova Scotia Priority Place. In partnership with the Kespukwitk Conservation Collaborative (KCC), the project supports ecosystem-based conservation efforts and recovery of species at risk in southwest Nova Scotia.
Medway Community Forest Cooperative and Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust: Executive Director
The MCFC and NSWWT are working in tandem to recruit a new Executive Director to serve both organizations. The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the MCFC and NSWWT according to the mission and objectives set by the membership and the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors (BoD) for each organization.
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!
Annapolis Waterkeepers are looking for volunteers to support the organization's advocacy efforts by helping with sign campaign distribution. They seek to fulfill positions not only in the Annapolis Valley but in as many areas as possible throughout the province.
Diocesan Environment Network: Communications Admin & Web Design
DEN is looking for volunteers to maintain their contact list and assist in other office duties as needed. Necessary skills for this position include computer literacy, organizational skills, and social skills.
Earthub is looking for volunteers to support the "Items to Keep Out of the Landfill" program through 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.
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.
New Brunswick Environmental Network: Youth Engagement Workshop
Discover new and innovative ways to engage youth in environmental activism and in your organization in our upcoming workshop on September 19th at 2:00 PM. Led by Inda Intiar of the Atlantic Changemakers Council, this workshop will provide practical strategies and tools to inspire and empower young people to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect with like-minded individuals! Register now to secure your spot. Click here for more information.
Ocean Wise: Ocean Bridge Program
Ocean Wise is recruiting for its 2023-24 Ocean Bridge program! The program provides direct experience in ocean conservation and public engagement skills through the lens of community service. Learning from experts in marine conservation, and supported by Ocean Wise, youth are empowered to take action and become impactful ocean ambassadors.
Ocean Wise is looking for 140 youth (ages 19 – 30) to be a part of the 20-week program starting October 2, 2023. Ocean Wise is seeking applications from youth who are:
Passionate about the ocean;
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or people who have been granted refugee status in Canada;
Living in Canada for the duration of the program and cannot be out of the country for more than one month consecutively.
No prior experience is required, and the program will cover travel expenses including transport, accommodations, activities, and meals while participants are on learning journeys.Click here for more information.
The Compost Council of Canada: Towards Victory in Organics Recycling! For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food & Climate Protection
Through the diversion of food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic materials from landfills and into organics recycling programs, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enrich the soil, protect biodiversity, and conserve water. And yet, Canada still has a lot of room for improvement, currently missing immediate opportunities to fight battles more effectively for healthier soils and a calmer climate. Join the troops involved in organics recycling and soil health!
Whether you are a business leader, community steward, or organics recycling champion, enlist in our conference. We will be digging deep into the latest advances that are achieving victories in waste diversion, local environmental stewardship, energy recovery, climate change mitigation, water conservation, soil productivity, and health. Click here for more information.
Solar Nova Scotia: 2023 Atlantic Solar Summit
Solar Nova Scotia is pleased to launch the website for the 2023 Atlantic Canada Solar Summit. This year's event will include a solar industry training day at the Hampton Inn in Halifax on December 5th followed by the Solar Summit and Solar Mixer at the Halifax Convention Centre on December 6th.
This event will bring together industry professionals from across Atlantic Canada for learning, networking, and celebrating the success of the ever-growing solar industry. We welcomed 300 delegates to the 2022 Atlantic Canada Solar Summit and are hoping to build off that this year, making the 2023 Summit the best one yet! We have great opportunities for sponsors, exhibitors, and presenters. Click here to visit the website.
South Shore Labour Council: Community Labour Day Event
For many years, the South Shore Labour Council has sponsored a Labour Day Event which is open to the public. Many organizations are participating with the view of getting their information out, perhaps fundraising, perhaps recruiting valuable volunteers, networking with others, and in general having a good time. Each organization is responsible for bringing its own tables and chairs.
Date: Monday, September 4th
Location: Privateer Park, 94 Henry Hensey Dr., Liverpool, N.S.
Time: 11:00-1:30 (those setting up their tables with their information may want to come a little earlier)
In terms of weather, barring a major storm, this is a rain-or-shine event. Please come prepared for the weather, whether it's hot, cold, or raining.
Great music, food, and awesome organizations will be present. This should be an event not to miss. The Labour Council will be providing free hot dogs and beverages. Members from Lunenburg-Queens Special Olympics will be hosting the food booth.
Any questions? Feel free to email us at dcjc@eastlink.ca or phone 902-543-8686 for more information.
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