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Overview:
NSEN Updates
Member Updates
Calls to Action
Nova Scotia Environmental News
Job Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Other Information
NSEN Updates
NSEN's Online Auction Fundraiser is Live Now until October 29th!
Bid on on over $2,500 worth of Nova Scotia's best items and experiences and support NSEN's network of 50 local environmental organizations!
Bid from anywhere in Nova Scotia and support a diverse network of dedicated environmental groups across the province!
Each item has been generously donated by an NSEN member organization or local business. That means all proceeds go towards supporting the development of resources and initiatives that benefit 50 environmental groups across Nova Scotia!
Thinking About Energy Upgrades? Start Here, Webinar with Thinkwell Shift
With rising energy costs, growing concerns about climate change, and an increasing push toward more energy-efficient homes, many homeowners are asking the same questions: Where do I start? What upgrades make the most sense for my home? And how do I navigate the programs, rebates, and decisions involved without feeling overwhelmed?
Making our homes more comfortable, affordable, and energy-efficient shouldn't have to be complicated. That's where Home Energy Navigation comes in.
In this free webinar, we'll explore how a personalized, people-centred approach can help homeowners better understand their options, overcome common barriers, and feel confident taking the next steps toward improving their homes. We'll introduce the Home Shift Navigator approach by Thinkwell Shift, which focuses on simplifying the home energy retrofit journey by connecting people with the information, resources, and guidance they need.
Leading this conversation is Shandel Brown, Program Manager at Thinkwell Shift, who brings four years of hands-on experience in retrofit coaching and supporting homeowners through their energy upgrade journeys. Drawing on her experience, Shandel will share insights into the challenges homeowners commonly face, the value of trusted guidance, and how navigation services can help make home energy improvements more accessible and achievable.
A reminder for members to check out NSEN's digital toolbox to access free technological tools that can be used to support their environmental and community work.
Member organizations can borrow a variety of tools and software, including a DSLR camera, Lapel microphones, credit card machine, and much more!
Come celebrate all the amazing work they have done at their 10 year anniversary gala: 'Currents of Celebration'!
This evening will bring together supporters, partners, volunteers and friends of Back to the Sea to enjoy passed appetisers and drinks, an auction and a look back at some of the highlights from our first decade, with special thanks to our supporters!
Climate Adaptation & Resilience Training (CART) Program: Applications Open for Winter 2027 Nova Scotia Cohorts
Have you heard of CART? The Climate Adaptation & Resilience Training (CART) Program is an introductory 12-week part-time training program coordinated by CLIMAtlantic. This program is for people new to climate change adaptation who work with municipalities or Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada. CART helps learners understand and build skills across a range of topics:
Manage adaptation processes and projects
Understand and use climate information
Assess risk and vulnerability
Engage, facilitate, and collaborate across sectors
Centre equity and Indigenous leadership
Navigate different governance levels
Enhance community resiliency
This winter, the CART program will run in English from January to March and is only open to those living or working in Nova Scotia.
Applications are now open, and limited spaces are available. Apply by November 30, 2026.
Protecting Our Water: Understanding the Risks of Mining Forum
The public is invited to attend Protecting Our Water: Understanding the Risks of Mining, a community forum taking place Monday, November 9, at the Best Western Plus Hotel & Convention Centre in Bridgewater. Hosted by Citizens Against Uranium Exploration & Mining in Nova Scotia, the event will begin at 6:30 to visit booths with speakers starting at 7:00. The forum will feature a range of speakers and perspectives on the potential risks that mineral exploration and development, particularly uranium mining, may pose to Nova Scotia’s groundwater and surface water resources. As interest in mineral exploration and development grows across the province, the event will offer an opportunity for community members to learn more about these issues, hear different perspectives and consider the potential impacts on the water resources that communities, ecosystems and future generations depend on. The evening will include presentations followed by an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions, share concerns and take part in an open discussion. Many information booths from participating organizations will also be available, offering attendees additional opportunities to learn about related issues and initiatives. Participants include Dr. Nancy Covington of CAPE (Canadian Assoc. of Physicians for the Environment), Karen McKinley of EAC, (Ecology Action Centre), Dr. E. Kosters - Geologist, People Not Plunder, NOFRAC, The Dirt Gang, and more.
For more information, please email Liana Crossland at lianacrossland@gmail.com
Join local Nature Therapist Wil Brunner and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Heron Payne for a restorative day of connection with nature, ourselves, and one another. Together, we'll explore simple, accessible practices to support our well-being, including mindfulness meditation, gentle nature connection activities, forest bathing, and opportunities for meaningful conversation. We'll reflect on how the challenges of our times affect us, share experiences in a supportive community, and make space for the beauty, wonder, and joy that nature can offer.
Whether you're feeling worn down, looking to reconnect with yourself, or simply wanting to spend some nourishing time outdoors with others who care, this workshop is for you. No previous experience with meditation or nature-based practices is needed. Come as you are, and leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and supported by the land, your community, and yourself!
This year’s conference theme is: “Adapting to Change – Erosion and Sediment Control Strategies for Modern Infrastructure”
The conference will bring together industry professionals, contractors, consultants, engineers, regulators, suppliers, and others involved in erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and environmental protection.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could share the event details through your network, newsletter, social media, or other appropriate channels.
Scotian Shores declared 2026 the "Year of the Lobster Band" to tackle one of the most pervasive rubber pollutants washing up on Nova Scotia’s beaches. These small bands persist in the marine environment, threatening wildlife and contributing to microplastic pollution. Thanks to dedicated volunteers across the province, we have officially collected and logged over 500,000 lobster bands this year—and the work continues.
You can join the effort by auditing your local shoreline and sharing your counts in our Facebook group at scotianshores.com/facebookgroup
Join our November Cleanups:
Nov 1:Hampton Area (Annapolis County)
Nov 8: Cranberry Head Beach (Yarmouth County)
Event details and exact start times are available on the Scotian Shores Facebook Events page. Come out, support coastal remediation, and help keep Nova Scotia’s waters clean.
Calls to Action
A staff report is on the agenda for the HRM Regional Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026. The report proposes alternative routes for a number of segments of the Region Centre AAA Bike Network. While there may be some positive elements to some of the alternatives, on the whole they are less safe and less direct than the previously planned versions. Further, replanning will incur additional cost in design, additional delays in implementation, and the delays will result in inflationary increases in cost.
The staff recommendation is not for further consultation and consideration of the alternatives, it is to engage in functional planning (30% design) for them, throwing out the previous plans without any public engagement in that decision.
Even worse is that some of the alternatives abandon the goal of design for “All Ages and Abilities” contrary to the goals of the strategic Integrated Mobility Plan, recently renewed. While we are not fans of the “All Ages and Abilities” terminology, non-AAA as the report recommends, is really a euphemism for “unsafe”. The report even acknowledges that more people may be injured and fewer people may be attracted to use the facilities.
You can write your Councillor. Keep it respectful and make it as personal as possible.
It is helpful to cc: clerks@halifax.ca to put your letter on the public record, and we always appreciate it when you cc: contact@cyclehalifax.ca
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.
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.
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.
N.S government addresses data centre concerns, rejects call for emergency debate
Provincial government officials are attempting to ease concerns following the announcement of a multi-billion-dollar proposal by a private company to construct a data centre in Nova Scotia, while also rejecting calls from opposition MLAs to convene an emergency session of legislature.
Everwind Fuels anounced last week it plans to construct an $8-billion data centre on industrial land it owns in Point Tupper, which it will lease for 20 years to artificial intelligence giant Anthropic.
allthough opposition politicians and members of the public have questioned the project's potential impacts on the environment, power rates, and what rules are in place to regulate it, Environment Minister Tim Halman told reporters there is oversight.
Government Invests in North Preston Child Care Centre
Children in North Preston will have a more comfortable and energy-efficient place to learn and flourish, with support from the Province.
Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and MLA for Preston, announced funding, on behalf of Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to help the North Preston Day Care Centre switch from oil heat to an energy-efficient electric heat pump system.
The project also includes planning for other upgrades to the building, which could include solar panels, new insulation, windows and doors, and energy-efficient light fixtures.
Five-year 'public review' of N.S environmental law will take place behind closed doors
Nova Scotia's marquee environmental law is five years old and it's due for a public review, but most Nova Scotians will not be invited to weigh in.
Environment Minister Tim Halman says he'll meet with his roundtable - an advisory committee made up of members of the public - next month to bring him feedback on the act. He said that engagement satisfies the requirement.
Nova Scotia committee to discuss $10-billion AI data centre planned for Cape Breton
A committee of Nova Scotia's legislature is scheduled to discuss the controversial $10-billion AI data centre that's been proposed in Cape Breton.
EverWind Fuels announced on Oct. 16 that U.S. AI company Anthropic had signed a 20-year lease for a 18,600-square metre facility in Point Tupper, N.S., that would draw 95 megawatts of electricity during its first phase.
Nova Scotia’s standing committee on natural resources and economic development will meet this afternoon and hear from EverWind Fuels officials, as well as the County of Richmond’s warden and chief administrative officer, and deputy ministers and directors from the Department of Energy and the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
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.
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!
Environmental Assessment (EA) Reasearch - Invitation to Participate
Dr. Steve Bonnell of the Department of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland is conducting a study that is gathering the perspectives of EA participants (individuals / organizations) on the nature and amount of information that is - and should be - included in the initial “registration” documents submitted by proponents to commence the EA review process.
Please consider completing this very short (10 questions or less) online survey if you have participated in the review of EA registrations for projects in Atlantic Canada within the past five years, including at least some larger or “enhanced” registration documents.
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.
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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