Upcoming event! Trivia Fundraiser: Are You Smarter Than a Young Naturalist?
The Young Naturalists Club and the Nova Scotia Environmental Network invite you to join our trivia fundraising event at Chain Yard Urban Cidery & Taproom on November 21st!
The "Are You Smarter Than a Young Naturalist?" fundraiser is designed to spotlight the importance of environmental education and the remarkable knowledge of our young naturalists. Set in a playful trivia format, our goal is to engage the adult community, raise crucial funds for the Young Naturalists Club and Nova Scotia Environmental Network's initiatives, and underscore the value of continuous learning about nature at all ages.
This event embodies our shared commitment to nature, fostering collaboration and celebrating the dedication of our young environmental enthusiasts. We are accepting teams of up to 4.
This year, the Water Caucus set out to highlight organizations and projects working for water in Nova Scotia. The For Our Waters report will be a high-level overview of key players in the not-for-profit sectors, and their current projects, according to geographical areas of Nova Scotia.
The Water Caucus’ goal is to bring awareness to the efforts that are happening right now for our water and create a report that they can share with potential supporters and encourage collaboration in our sector.
The team at NSEN would like to remind you about the Volunteer Hub, a centralized platform where our member organizations can post volunteer opportunities and connect with passionate individuals who are eager to make a difference. The goal of this initiative is to support the volunteer recruitment process, build capacity for community groups, and ultimately enhance the impact of our collective efforts.
We encourage you to submit volunteer opportunities that your organization currently has or anticipates in the near future. By participating in the Volunteer Hub, you will gain access to a wider pool of potential volunteers, and together, we can amplify the positive change we aim to bring to our community!
Back to the Sea Society has partnered with Patagonia Halifax to giveaway a bundle of goodies from the Back to the Sea Centre and Patagonia
For just $10/ticket you can win: Patagonia Guidewater Backpack Back to the Sea Hoodie Maritime Marine Life field guide The Happiness Field Shark Earrings Crab Ornament Ocean colouring book ...totalling a $500 value!
Each ticket is $10 and we'll be selling just 100 tickets in total and will draw our winner once all tickets are sold. Head to backtothesea.org/events to buy your tickets while they last!
We are hosting a one-day housing symposium on November 4th, building on our successful 2018 Housing Outside the Box event.
Our focus for this program will be home sharing: the benefits and hurdles, building personal comfort, bringing those with excess housing together with those in need of housing, and determining what ongoing supports are needed. Join us for expert discussion panels, community sharing, and exploring new connections.
This program is free but does require registration. If you would like to attend, please fill out this form. We will use this information to better understand the needs of attendees, and ensure we are prioritizing SMB residents. After our initial sign-up, we will provide a general admission link through Eventbrite to fill any remaining spaces. We anticipate this program filling fast, so encourage everyone to fill out the form to express interest in attending.
Tell the Province to Stop Delaying the Coastal Protection Act!
"Nova Scotia has been waiting far too long for the Coastal Protection Act (CPA).
And yet, instead of making real progress on protecting our coast, the provincial government has further delayed action by releasing a public survey filled with broad, high-level, and often leading questions. This represents a complete disregard for the safety of Nova Scotians, and a failure to take the very first step in coastal climate adaptation: stop building in known risk areas!
The Ecology Action Centre has put together a submission to the province's survey, urging them to finally make good on their promise to implement the CPA. We need your voice to help amplify our message: click here to see our submission and make your own!"
Save Sandy Lake!
"As the seasons change, we are usually excited to see new activity around Sandy Lake - the colours of the leaves, migratory bird species, and a new Our HRM Alliance hike series! However, this year, it reminds us that we are drawing closer to the spring "shovel ready" date HRM has listed on its website for development in the Sandy Lake Special Planning Area. Development on this land west of Sandy Lake will have multiple negative effects: it will put a harsh end to our goal of an expanded Sandy Lake - Sackville River Regional Park; it will be detrimental to the health of the lake and watershed, as it encompasses a portion of the system's headwaters; it will cut off key wilderness corridors listed in the Halifax Green Network Plan; and, it will add significantly more traffic to the already taxed Hammonds Plains Roadway.
Thank you to everyone who has already joined us in asking the NS Provincial Government to reverse the decision to fast-track development in the Sandy Lake Special Planning Area. If you have not yet, please visit sandylakecoalition.ca/take-action - from here you can easily send a letter to the Province, and request or print a yard sign. We are especially seeking assistance with sign distribution outside of HRM - for more info, please email sandylakecampaign@gmail.com"
Individual Submission: Show Halifax and Nova Scotia some love! Sign the petition to stop demolitions.
"Halifax Regional Municipality’s Centre Plan increased building heights and launched a Demolition Derby; over 200 demolition permits so far in 2023. That hurts affordability, community, character and the climate crisis.
Rebuild? Sure, if interest rates come down, labour supply goes up or a demolisher feels good and ready. Meanwhile, rent gets tighter—workers, students, seniors, families etc. travel further each day to come to work or study. Or live in tents.
North Atlantic right whale population has steadied, scientists say
The population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales appears to have levelled off after a decade of steep decline, according to updated data released this morning by Canadian and American scientists.
Every fall, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium releases its best population estimate of the world's most threatened large whale.
Scientists in the consortium said Monday that the 2021 estimate of 340 North Atlantic right whales in existence has been recalculated to 365 primarily because of the number of calves born that year. The estimate for 2022 is 356.
Nova Scotia urged to implement Coastal Protection Act
The province has pushed it back to 2025. The Ecology Action Centre joined other environmental partners on the waterfront in Halifax on Tuesday to voice their frustration.
Nova Scotia Power asks for OK to build new line to New Brunswick, doubling capacity
Nova Scotia Power is preparing to upgrade the transmission line that connects Nova Scotia with New Brunswick, marking the first step in a new plan to help the two provinces phase out coal and create a green energy grid by the end of the decade.
The power utility has proposed to build a new 345-kilovolt transmission line from Onslow, N.S., to the New Brunswick border, and to upgrade the power substation in Onslow. The new line would have its own steel towers, running in parallel to an existing 96-kilometre line with the same capacity.
Dune erosion on Sable Island caused loss of groundwater along exposed coast
Where sand dunes disappear on Sable Island, so does the underground freshwater supply, according to new research underscoring the importance of dunes to the island's ecosystem.
The dunes serve as a natural barrier, protecting against the relentless waves and temporary salinization of groundwater caused by ocean flooding. Dunes also help refresh the water table by funnelling water from rain and snow into aquifers that, in some places, are 40 metres deep.
But on the south coast — which is most exposed to storms, erosion and seawater flooding — dunes have disappeared in recent decades.
New tools to save Nova Scotia's hemlocks come into use as species continues to decline
Parks Canada is starting to use new tools in its fight to save Kejimkujik's hemlock trees, which are under threat of being wiped out by an invasive insect.
Park ecologist Matthew Smith said park staff have been undergoing training to use insecticides that can be sprayed on the bark of the iconic trees to inoculate them against the hemlock woolly adelgid.
Previously, the only insecticide they could use was injected into tree trunks. That application takes significantly longer per tree than the sprays.
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 the sunrise was captured by Chris White in Kejimkujik National Park, 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!
Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council: Council Supervisor
The Council Supervisor will be responsible for managing and coordinating all NSISC programs and supervising NSISC staff. The position will oversee program development, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring that programs align with the organization’s mission and goals and effectively address invasive species challenges. The Council Supervisor will also work closely with the Chapter’s Steering Committee, the CCIS National Manager, and other regional staff members to identify opportunities for program growth and funding.
The Communications Coordinator is responsible for supporting the work of Hike NS and its projects through the development and management of our various communications tools. The role of this full-time, permanent position is to help grow and manage the Hike NS brand and build awareness of its programs and services.
Nova Scotia Nature Trust: Senior Biologist/Conservation Planner
In this pivotal lead scientist role, you are responsible for shaping our conservation priorities and actions, and providing expert guidance across all facets of conservation operations. You are part of our vibrant conservation team, working together to identify, secure and steward priority conservation lands across the province. It is a diverse role, with responsibilities ranging from ecological field assessments and GIS-based conservation planning and prioritization to serving as expert member of conservation collaborations. As a senior leader in a small, nimble non-profit, you have space to propose and implement innovative ideas and to make a tangible and lasting impact for nature conservation.
Green Schools Nova Scotia: French Language Green Schools Nova Scotia Engagement Officer
Do you want to work in an exciting environment delivering energy efficiency education to students around Nova Scotia? Thinkwell Shift is looking for a bilingual Engagement Officer located in the Halifax region. The successful candidate will be fluent in both French and English, work well independently and as part of a team, and have access to a reliable vehicle. Travel is required for this position.
The successful candidate will deliver presentations on behalf of Efficiency Nova Scotia both in-person and virtually in classrooms throughout Nova Scotia. The goal is to empower students to make small changes to reduce energy use in their homes and schools. Valuable skills include enthusiasm for the environment, comfort with public speaking, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Climate Action Network: Digital Communications Coordinator
The Digital Communications Coordinator, under the direction of CAN-Rac’s Communications Manager, will be responsible for developing and carrying out CAN-Rac’s digital strategy. This will include, but is not limited to, creating social media, advertising, newsletter, and web content with the aim of advancing CAN-Rac’s vision and priorities, and promoting understanding of climate issues, policies, and opportunities for action.
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.
DEN is looking for a volunteer to assist with social media, their membership list, email list, and to help set up their newsletter with either MailChimp or Canva.
Our organization has a small budget ($5,000 - $10,000) annually, but we must follow HRM approved accounting practices. We are seeking a new treasurer to keep our organization on the right track. The past treasurer has had to step back for family commitments, but will train and guide the new replacement.
Commitment: 3 flexible hours per week, 1 monthly board meeting
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.
Cultural Survival: Indigenous Youth Fellowship Project
Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Youth Fellowship Project supports young Indigenous leaders between the ages of 17-28 in creating and disseminating knowledge through creative ways and critical thinking. It is an opportunity to build capacities in Indigenous rights, Indigenous languages, cultures, and Traditional Knowledge. Fellows work to represent the voices of their communities and bring awareness of local issues to global conversations through their proposed projects while strengthening their cultural identities and leadership.
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.
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.
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