Reflections by Purcells Pond 1Apr2025

Writes Liv Monck-Whipp, Nova Scotia Nature Trust Stewardship Coordinator

It’s funny how time works, and it’s funny how brains work.

Almost exactly 1 year ago, I had my first field day as the new Stewardship Coordinator with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust; Joanna Skomoroski, our Stewardship Manager, took me out to the Purcells Cove Conservation Lands to look at the trail system and do some baseline surveys. It was my first day learning about this unique and beautiful place, and I was very glad to be out of the office and on the land to see the work the Nature Trust does.

I was blown away by the stark beauty of this area, made all that much starker by the late winter, early spring season with deciduous leaves not yet out. The trail provides spectacular views of the granite ridges, which pop with light green lichens, the Jack Pines and Black Spruce forests dark against the sky, and of course the pond, which is an intense blue.

And now, a year later, I find myself walking the same trail, looking for other areas where we might do some maintenance work for the many community members who use it. The cycle continues. As I take a step down on the trail, I remember vividly: that exact rock was where I rested briefly when doing some of the trail maintenance work last year.

Read more on Nature Trust Blog

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Sunday April 13, 1-4 pm: Gathering in the Halifax Backlands to Celebrate Earth Week

Please join us for a guided hike through the rugged Halifax Backlands, home to two of the Treasured Wetlands of Nova Scotia, and a lot more.  Explore this unique wilderness while contributing to real conservation science!

Learn how to use Naturalist, a free app that helps identify and log local species, adding valuable data to a community science project. Your observations will support ongoing research and conservation efforts in the region.

Expect a slow pace, moderate terrain with some off-trail hiking. To fully participate, bring a smartphone with the Naturalist app downloaded.

Register at https://ecologyaction.ca/get-involved/events/earth-day-hike

Hosted by @ecologyaction & @ourhrmalliance, in partnership with @hfxmoments, @atlanticducks, @TWNovaScotia and @backlandscoalition

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Explore the unique beauty of the Halifax Backlands though the eyes of nine talented artists April 3-29, 2025 at NS Archives

Click on image for larger version

The Backlands Coalition has a special Art Exhibit, The Backland Suites”, coming up at the Chase Gallery in the NS Archives for the month of April.

The exhibit explores the unique beauty of the Halifax Backlands though the eyes of nine talented artists.

The exhibit is curated by Frances Dorsey. Please view Frances’s Curatorial Statement in which she introduces the artists.

Please join us for an -afternoon with the artists to kick off the series on Sat Apr 5, 2025, 1-3 pm at the Chase Gallery, 6016 University Ave., Halifax.  View  Invitation Poster

Posted Mar 12, 2025

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HRM Minimum Planning Requirements 1Feb2025

Received Jan 27, 2025 from HRM:

“Since the Phase 4 What We Heard Report was presented to Regional Council in December 2023, staff have been working to finalize the new Regional Plan and full package of amendments.

“On August 21, 2024, the Province of Nova Scotia adopted new Minimum Planning Requirements Regulations. These requirements are intended to prioritize increasing housing supply in land-use planning, regulations, decisions, and development approvals under the municipal planning strategy (the Regional Plan). The legislation requires the municipality to make changes to its plans and by-laws to meet these requirements. On October 1, 2024,* Regional Council directed staff to consider the Minimum Planning Requirements as part of the Regional Plan Review process.*Link is to the Agenda. Also view Minutes and Video.
Continue reading

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Etu’qamikejk Trail 14Jan2025

Entrance to Etu’qamikejk Trail – a “Place Where Two Sides Meet” –  by Etu’panuek (Williams Lake). View sign
The single-track trail begins just to the left of the sign.
Click on images for larger versions

NCC/HRM (Nature Conservancy of Canada/Halifax Regional Municipality) have not yet made a formal announcement about the “Etu’qamikejk Trail” in the SWP (Shaw Wilderness Park)* but the signs have been up for a few months. I have been getting questions about it, so here’s some info. about the name and the place.

david p  
Jan 14, 2025
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*The Shaw Wilderness Park  formally opened in 2020. It is owned by HRM while NCC holds a conservation easement for the Park, an arrangement proposed in 2016 after the land came up for sale.  See Williams Lake Conservation Company: Halifax’s New Shaw Wilderness Park for details.

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Posted in Community, Mi'kma'ki, Parks and Protected Areas, Shaw Wilderness Park, Trails, Wabanaki Forest, Williams Lake | Comments Off on Etu’qamikejk Trail 14Jan2025

Sunday Dec 15, 2024: Xmas Bird Count for Hfx/Dartmouth

Bald Eagle in Backlands Jan 1, 2023. Photo by Joshua Barss Donham

Next Sunday, December 15th 2024 is the date for the Halifax /Dartmouth Christmas Bird Count. Started in 1900, there are now counts being done in a number of countries, including Canada, USA and a number of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to access this page (https://www.nsbirdsociety.ca/calendar/upcoming-events) and scroll down to the count(s) of interest to you.

Thx to Bernie M. of Halifax Field Naturalists for the reminder. Continue reading

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Is a popular public path by the Arm in Jollimore about to be closed off? Hearing on Mon 24Nov2024

Update Dec 13, 2024:
15.2.2.1 Case 24595: Development Agreement for 10 Kirk Road, Halifax
Sparks at Regional Council Dec 10, 2024 over request for Staff report.
View Agenda
View Video of proceedings beginning at 1:25:30
From Agenda: Item 15.2.1
Case 24505: Development Agreement for 10 Kirk Road, Halifax for a bare land condominium development and rehabilitation of a registered heritage property*
Motion: That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a supplementary staff report regarding public access to the tow path which crosses the property located at 10 Kirk Road, Halifax and return to Regional Council for consideration of the report.
Document from Patty Cuttel to Mayor Fillmore and Members of Halifax Regional Council
The Motion passed.
——————————
Update Nov 26, 2024: View Letter from Patricia Manuel to Councillors Nov 25, 2024, 6 pages. Note: At the meeting yesterday, the matter was deferred for a supplemental staff report.
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ORIGINAL POST

It appears that a 15 unit high-end housing development is about to close off a popular public path by the Arm in Jollimore.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday Nov 25,  2024 at 6 pm

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HRM Regional Council adopts recommendations related to LakeWatchers Report 14Nov2024

View Item No. 15.3.2, Halifax Regional Council November 12, 2024

This document includes a Staff Report dated Apr 22, 2024, and the full LakeWatchers State of the Lakes Report, 2022-2023 Sampling Years.

“Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee received a staff recommendation report dated April
22, 2024 to consider an in-depth analysis of the 2022-23 LakeWatchers program, a program initiated to monitor the water quality of 73 lakes in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). Continue reading

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Nova Scotia is investing almost $5 million for Williams Lake Dam Replacement 21Oct2021

From Nova Scotia News Release, 21 October 2024 (Build Nova Scotia, Public Works):

“People living around and downstream from Williams Lake in Halifax and their properties will be safer with the Province’s construction of a new dam.

“The replacement dam will be built to environmental standards that support protection of the lake’s ecosystem and regulate water levels for the enjoyment and safety of users and property owners. Continue reading

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Questions to Ask Candidates in the upcoming (Oct 19) Municipal Elections, Re: the Backlands

Elections are coming up fast in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) – are you ready?

At the Backlands Coalition, we believe it’s imperative that the next Council recognize and permanently preserve the Halifax Backlands as a Wilderness Area. But no wilderness area survives as an island…

On October 19, 2024 as citizens of HRM we will hold the power to decide how our municipality moves forward over the next 4 years. HRM is growing faster than ever, resulting in more pressure on our housing, transportation, social/health services, and our wilderness areas. Pressures that are often pitched as battling against each other. So we’re here to pitch for a path that moves us forward together – it’s not “park *or* housing”… “wildlife corridor *or* highway”…“wilderness area *or* social services” – It’s “*AND*”, especially when our urban wilderness areas offer so many benefits to the citizens of our whole municipality and province. Continue reading

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