It’s a a great time to view Jack Pine-Crowberry Barrens & Whalebacks on the Osprey Trail 27Oct2022

Posted on October 27, 2022 by admin

Mid fall, when the huckleberry leaves turn fire engine just before finally being shed, is a great time to visit our Jack Pine-Crowberry Barrens.  We are past the peak of it now, especially with recent heavy winds and rains, but there should still be some remnant flashes of red this weekend, great for photographs.

These barrens are most readily accessible via the trailhead for the Osprey Trail; it’s located on Alibaster Way at the southern edge of the Governor’s Brook residential area. For the exact location, view the Trailhead on Google Maps. The Osprey Trail is super-popular for both both mountain-biking and walking. The Osprey Trail is one piece of a larger network of trails in this area built and maintained by the McIntosh Run Watershed Association.

There are a couple of features of the barrens in this area that make it a quite special place.

Read more

Posted in Conservation, Recreation | Comments Off on It’s a a great time to view Jack Pine-Crowberry Barrens & Whalebacks on the Osprey Trail 27Oct2022

Wed Oct 26: Supreme Court Case & Implications for Planning and Nature Conservation!

Posted on October 18, 2022 by admin

From Our HRM Alliance

“Join our hybrid public talk on Wednesday October 26, 2022 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM by one of Canada’s leading environmental lawyers, David Donnelly. Join us to learn about a landmark Supreme Court of Canada case while exploring the implications for planning and nature conservation! Hosted by Dalhousie School of Planning at the Richard Murray Design Building – 5257 Morris Street, Halifax, 3rd floor Planning Studio. This is a hybrid event, if you are unable to join in person, you can watch on Zoom here.”

Posted in Community, Conservation, Talks | Comments Off on Wed Oct 26: Supreme Court Case & Implications for Planning and Nature Conservation!

Saturday Oct 15, 2022: Hike the Purcell’s Cove Backlands

Posted on October 8, 2022 by admin

Posted in Conservation, Walks | Comments Off on Saturday Oct 15, 2022: Hike the Purcell’s Cove Backlands

October 11, 2022: Public Hearing on Phase 3 of the Regional Plan Review

Posted on September 28, 2022 by admin

RESCHEDULING NOTICE:

The Public Hearing for the Regional Plan Review, Phase 3 originally on the agenda for Tuesday, September 27th has been RESCHEDULED to October 11, 2022 at 6pm, in Regional Council Chambers (City Hall) – 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax.

From  Shape Our City, some details on how to participate.

  • Advanced registration is NOT required. View the staff report.
  • All oral and written submissions will be considered at that time.
  •  Written submissions may be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk by mail, P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3A5; by fax, 902-490-4208; or by e-mail(External link).
  • Written submissions should be received by the Municipal Clerk’s office as early as possible and not later than 3:00 p.m. on October 11, 2022.

Some concerns in relation to the Backlands (KH): Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Comments Off on October 11, 2022: Public Hearing on Phase 3 of the Regional Plan Review

Burkhard Plache June 21, 1965 – September 10, 2022

Posted on September 27, 2022 by admin

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Burkhard Plache.

With his wife Ingrid, he was a constant visitor to the Backlands, and introduced many people to its natural wonders.

Burkhard was a pillar of the Halifax naturalist community and will be sorely missed by his wife Ingrid and all of us who knew him.

There will be a  Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving on Sep 28, 2022.

Please see his obituary for details: https://www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca/obituary/burkhard-plache

Continue reading →

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NS Landscape Map Viewer provides info. on forests & wetlands in the Backlands and a lot more 23Sep2022

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

Leading Forest Species
Layer in the NS Landscape Viewer showing the Backlands.

I have had a few questions recently about the types of forests in the Backlands which prompted me to make some screen captures from the forestry layers on the NS Landscape Map Viewer. Those maps and some additional maps showing water flows & wetlands are posted  on this website under Flora Fauna and Geology – DNRR Maps. (DNRR: NS Department of Natural Resources & Renewables).

The Nova Scotia Landscape Viewer  is a convenient tool for viewing Crown lands, Protected Areas, Ecological Land Classification, Forest Stand characteristics, Property Boundaries & PID numbers, Roads, Wetlands and more. It provides a lot of the information otherwise only available via specialized GIS files and software. Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation | Comments Off on NS Landscape Map Viewer provides info. on forests & wetlands in the Backlands and a lot more 23Sep2022

Please share your thoughts about what’s special, what you value about the Backlands (by Sep 30, 2022)

Posted on August 11, 2022 by admin

Land Ownership in the Backlands in
2016.The Clayton Developments
Ltd. property is now the Shaw
Wilderness Park. From Item
No. 14.1.8 Halifax Regional Council
Sep 20, 2016: Purcell’s Cove
Backlands – Shaw Group
/Nature Conservancy of Canada
Proposal
Click on image for larger version

The Backlands Coalition advocated for the protection of the area now named Shaw Wilderness Park and that advocacy was just the beginning. There is much more to protect in the Backlands, including wetlands, lakes and streams, a river, wilderness habitat for native plants and creatures of all sorts as well as trails for hiking and biking.

The map at right shows the many pieces of the Backlands, some protected, some Crown lands and some owned by developers

As members of the Backlands Coalition, we have been sharing information with the Halifax Planners about the special places within the Backlands. At this point in our talks with the planners, they are asking for as much concrete information as we can provide that highlights unique and special features or ways in which people use the Backlands.

Please look over the list below which outlines some examples of information we might use to amplify our message of protection for all parts of the Backlands.
Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Conservation, Nature Stuff | Comments Off on Please share your thoughts about what’s special, what you value about the Backlands (by Sep 30, 2022)

Saturday, August 6, 2022: Shaw Wilderness Park Clean Up

Posted on August 1, 2022 by admin

Help protect one of Halifax’s most beautiful parks!

Saturday, August 6,  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Capacity: 20

 

With the support of our partners, Halifax Regional Municipality and Shaw Group Ltd, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has conserved 154 hectares of forest and jack pine barrens next to the Purcell’s Cove Backlands, at Colpitt Lake and Williams Lake. The property is home to more than 40 species of breeding birds and other wildlife, and just a short trip by car, bus or bike from downtown. Continue reading →

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Recent fire and fire management in the New Jersey Pine Barrens: a model for the Backlands? 12Jul2022

Posted on July 12, 2022 by admin

Savannah-like Jack Pine/Broom
Crowberry barrens  on
Halifax south mainland,
June 20, 2009. This old stand,
which lies close to residential areas,
escaped the fire in 2009 but is
(potentially) even more flammable today.

“Fueled by high winds and dry conditions, New Jersey’s largest wildfire in 15 years swept through Wharton State Forest in the Pine Barrens two weeks ago, burning more than 13,500 acres.” So begins an article titled Pine Barrens natural landscape will rebound from Wharton wildfire by Alison Mitchell, published on centraljersey.com on July 11, 2022.

The article continues:

“Thankfully, no lives or homes were lost, as the blaze occurred in a remote part of New Jersey’s largest tract of public open space. Wharton State Forest encompasses 122,800 acres (192 square miles) in Burlington and Atlantic counties.

While 13,500 charred acres may sound like an ecological catastrophe, it is just the opposite. Fire is an essential ingredient in making and keeping the Pine Barrens what they have been for thousands of years.”

By comparison, our Spryfield Fire of 2009 burned approximately 800 hectares (1977 acres) and destroyed eight houses on a street recently developed in an area of Jack Pines. The total area of the Backlands is approximately 1350 hectares (3336 acres), so our fire was smaller but proportionally more intense and damaging to property than the larger NJ Pine Barrens Fire. Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Fire Ecology | Comments Off on Recent fire and fire management in the New Jersey Pine Barrens: a model for the Backlands? 12Jul2022

Lover’s Lane to Turtle Bay: A path to Williams Lake 19May2022

Posted on May 19, 2022 by admin

From Kathleen Hall, Martha Leary and Murray Coolican:

Map showing property PID 41342080
Click on image for larger version

“We are writing about lands along the shore of Williams Lake known bureaucratically as PID 41342080.

“We are stewards of the lake and it’s watershed and do our work through Williams Lake Conservation Company (WLCC) and Backlands Coalition. The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has asked us for information about the land because we know the land well and understand the community’s stake in any changes.

“The land was purchased in order to build homes there and the owner has requested a change from the current Urban Reserve (UR) zoning to Rural Commuter zoning. With UR zoning, the owner can build one building on this property and a rezoning would allow for more.

“Ideally, we would prefer to see no change to this property. Consequently, the only circumstances under which we would entertain a change of zoning would completely embrace the vision that we set forth in a letter to HRM Planners

“We would like to tell you about this land and some of what it means to people who live in Halifax… Please view our Letter”

Posted in Community, Conservation, HRM Greenbelt, Parks and Protected Areas, Watershed | Leave a comment