Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect 30Jul2025

Posted on July 31, 2025 by admin

NS Gov News Release, July 30, 2025:

Nova Scotia has proclaimed a provincewide burn ban.

Because of hot, dry conditions, there is a ban on open fires effective immediately across the entire province.

The ban was put in place today, July 30, and will remain in place until October 15 – the end of wildfire season – or until conditions improve. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000.

Read more in News Release

Posted in Community, Fire Ecology | Leave a comment

Our HRM Alliance News: Regional Plan, Backlands Birds, Flat Lake Hike & more 11Jul2025

Posted on July 11, 2025 by admin

The Backlands Coalition is a member of Our HRM Alliance, a coalition of over 60 organizations from environment, business, health and community sectors advocating for a sustainable future in Halifax…

This update/news was issued today:

Hello Alliance,

We hope you are having a wonderful July so far. The summer season has has started and there is lots on the go!

The Regional Council has finalized the Regional Plan, which will guide development and planning decisions in HRM for the next decade and beyond.

Read on for member news and upcoming events—it’s more important than ever to stay connected and show up for our community.

Jillian and Belle

Continue reading →

Posted in Backlands, Birds, Community, Conservation, Events, Halifax Regional Municipality, Our HRM Alliance | Comments Off on Our HRM Alliance News: Regional Plan, Backlands Birds, Flat Lake Hike & more 11Jul2025

Backlands Coalition identifies major issues to present to City Hall by or on Thurs June 19 2025

Posted on June 16, 2025 by admin

Kathleen Hall speaking at Public Hearing

UPDATE Jun 20, 2025:
CBC report: Halifax council passes plan to prepare city for 1 million people
Haley Ryan · CBC News, Jun 20, 2025 “Halifax councillors have passed a plan guiding growth in the region for years to come, but say there is nothing they can do about provincial housing rules many residents called a “massive overreach” from the provincial government into municipal affairs.”

Jun 19, 2025: Public Hearing: Agenda and Proceedings (Video)

UPDATE Jun 17, 2025:
With the support of The Backlands Coalition and residents of communities surrounding the Backlands, the following two amendments will be proposed to HRM Council at the Public Hearing on Thursday, June 19, 1 pm at Halifax City Hall. Continue reading →

Posted in Backlands, Conservation, Fire Ecology, Halifax Green Network Plan, Halifax Regional Municipality, Our HRM Alliance, Parks and Protected Areas, Regional Plan | Comments Off on Backlands Coalition identifies major issues to present to City Hall by or on Thurs June 19 2025

Thursday June 19, 2025 at 1pm: Draft Regional Plan and Public Hearing at Halifax City Hall

Posted on June 16, 2025 by admin
Unfortunately, the Draft Regional Plan is a profound disappointment as it no longer reflects the concerns of the Backlands Coalition for our Backlands Environment

ACTIONS:
–>Please plan to attend the Public Hearing 
–>Register now to speak for 5 minutes by emailing clerks@halifax.ca
–>Consider sending an early written submission from you, your
organization and/or encourage your members to do so as well.

The 1,921 page document we are commenting on is the proposed Regional Plan and amendment package. This is a huge document and so we summarize some of the information most relevant to the Backlands below. Continue reading →

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Golden Heather & Mt. Sandwort in Bloom now in the Backlands 9Jun2025

Posted on June 9, 2025 by admin

Mt Sandwort (left) and Golden Heather (right)  in bloom recently on barrens in the Backlands. Photos by JBD

Commented JBD today

This year I have seen more Mountain Sandwort in bloom than ever before. I’m also finding it growing in places where I’ve not noticed it before. Also, the Golden Heather is in bloom

Both species  have a S2 Conservation rank (S2=Imperilled) and are “Priority Species“.

Posted in Conservation | Comments Off on Golden Heather & Mt. Sandwort in Bloom now in the Backlands 9Jun2025

Tues June 17, 2025: Williams Lake Conservation Co. AGM, about the Dam and more…

Posted on June 3, 2025 by admin

View of Etu’panuek (Williams Lake) by The Dam, May 27. Trees have been cut in prep.for complete re-building of the now very leaky dam. Click on image for larger version

From WLCC:

What a year this has been for the Williams Lake Conservation Company! Significantly, the provincial government has approved the spending required to replace our old and failing dam!

Although certainly a highlight, this announcement is only one of many highlights for the year, including, but not limited to birding activities, continued monitoring of the quality and quantity of lake water, and enhanced educational activities in partnership with Captain William Spry Public Library. Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Williams Lake | Comments Off on Tues June 17, 2025: Williams Lake Conservation Co. AGM, about the Dam and more…

May 24-31: Bird Week in Halifax

Posted on May 22, 2025 by admin

From Nature NS
“Join Bird Friendly Halifax for the second annual Bird Week! This year, birding walks will take place in 11 districts across HRM. We encourage citizens and decision-makers to take actions that benefit birds and their habitats. Get a chance to meet your local councillor and learn about birds in your neighbourhood. Birds are all around us. They are the most visible type of wildlife in our cities. However, they also face specific challenges that are causing bird populations around the world to decline. We can learn more about the needs of wild birds in our cities, and enjoy the free beauty that they bring to our lives. Continue reading →

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Wed May 14, 2025: An evening of lichen-inspired readings

Posted on May 14, 2025 by admin

Last month we brought you Backlands Suites, an exhibition of artworks inspired by the #HalifaxBacklands. Now who’s up for some poetry (and more art) shaped by our urban wilderness gem?

Join Pavia Gallery ~ Espresso Bar & Café on Wednesday, May 14 for a special evening of lichen-inspired readings by Clare Goulet, the gallery’s current writer-in-residence. The event also features sculpture, photography and threadwork by visual artists Frankie Macauley and Jennifer Escott (two of our #BacklandsSuites artists), and Jacqueline Steudler.

– The Backlands Coalition

Posted in Backlands | Comments Off on Wed May 14, 2025: An evening of lichen-inspired readings

Fri April 25 to Mon April 28, 2025: The City Nature Challenge 2025

Posted on April 23, 2025 by admin

Stats for the Backlands on Apr 23, 2025
Click on image to go the iNaturalist page for the Backlands and view the latest stats!

This weekend is the City Nature Challenge 2025. When you walk anywhere in the Halifax Backlands this weekend, please participate and post to iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2025.

About this Project
“Help put Halifax Regional Municipality on the global nature scene! Between April 25 – 28, 2025 cities/places from across the planet, from here in our province to other locations around the world, will compete for the title of the most Biodiverse City. We need your help. Whether you’re an avid naturalist or a dog walker, everyone can participate: it’s easy, fun, and will encourage you to get outdoors.” Continue reading →

Posted in Backlands, Community, Conservation | Comments Off on Fri April 25 to Mon April 28, 2025: The City Nature Challenge 2025

Broom Crowberry in bloom in the Backlands 16Apr2025

Posted on April 16, 2025 by admin

Broom crowberry, Corema conradii, Nova Scotia’s earliest flowering native species after skunk cabbage, is now in flower in the Backlands!

We know that courtesy of Joshua Barss Donham who took these pics in the Backlands on Apr 11, 2025:

Broom Crowberry, male flowers

Broom Crowberry, female flowers

Broom Crowberry is “dioecious” (separate male and female plants) with terminal flowers appearing in April, (sometimes in March) through to mid-May, depending on the site and year.

Male plants (and colonies developed from a single male plant) are much more common than female plants. Raymond Fielding in Shrubs of Nova Scotia (1988) aptly describes male colonies as presenting “a haze of wine-coloured anthers”… More about Broom Crowberry

Posted in Backlands, Conservation | Comments Off on Broom Crowberry in bloom in the Backlands 16Apr2025