The Backlands Coalition

Hello everyone,
Many of you may already be aware that The Shaw Group has teamed up with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in relation to a new proposal to protect a significant portion of the Backlands for “Halifax’s finest urban nature experience”.

On Tuesday, April 26, a presentation was made to Halifax Regional Council, proposing “a mutually beneficial, three-way partnership for the protection of the Williams-Colpitt Lake site” – nearly 162 hectares of wilderness lands currently owned by The Shaw Group, which is the parent company of Clayton Developments. Continue reading →

It should read “The Williams Lake Backlands, part of the larger Purcells Cove Backlands”..regardless, possibly some good news.

The subititle to this CBC news item is “Development company is willing to sell close to 162 hectares of land to the municipality”

“The Shaw Group has teamed up with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to negotiate an agreement with Halifax region over the future of the Purcells Cove Backlands.

“The Shaw Group owns close to 162 hectares of the urban wilderness, but the development company is willing to sell land to the municipality.

“We have provided an evaluation and a discounted purchase price for the lands,” said Alan Shaw, president of the Shaw Group. “We have listened to what the public has to say and the importance of these lands to the future green network.”

Read full CBC Report

Geoffrey Grantham is exhibiting a new set of paintings featuring the Jack Pines of the Backlands.

The paintings will be at the Pavia Gallery, 995 Herring Cove Road, April 21 to June 7, 2016.

There is an Opening Reception on Thursday April 21, 7-8:30 pm.

(Click on image at left for a large version of the poster.)

Hello everyone,
It’s time! Time for an update on the city’s plans toward building a greenbelt – a greenbelt that we believe should include the Backlands.

The revised Regional government plan, passed in June 2014, contained a provision for the establishment of a greenbelt. The Halifax planning department has been working with a consulting firm to create the Halifax Green Network: An Open Space and Greenbelting Priorities Plan for the Region. http://www.halifax.ca/HalifaxGreenNetwork/

Many of you may remember a session in June 2015 at the Captain William Spry Centre. Following this and sessions in other areas of the municipality, two reports were produced in October 2015:

• What We Heard Report – Phase 1: Foundations, and
• State of the Landscape Report: Issues and Opportunities.

Attendance at the next public session on March 31 is very important. It is our last chance to ensure that the Backlands is identified as a vital area that should be included in the Halifax Green Network. This will bring protection ensuring that development does not occur.

Specifically, feedback from Phase 1 of the Green Network plan and a workshop with stakeholders has been used to “create a refined regional open space network learning scenario,” which will be presented at a series of engagement events throughout the municipality from March 30 to April 7. A formal presentation will take place at each event, followed by a Q&A and open house session.

Please come out and make your thoughts and desires known!

Public consultation for the Halifax area:
Thursday, March 31 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Atlantica Hotel, 1980 Robie Street, Halifax

The Backlands is a special place featuring coastal wetlands as well as flora that is nationally unique and globally significant. Hiking and swimming are but a few activities that are so very close to our city. It is important that the consultants hear this information.

We strongly urge you to attend this very important event.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Hall and Marla Cranston
on behalf of the Backlands Coalition

Backlands background
Please visit our website at backlandscoalition.ca for more details about the Backlands’ ecosystems, landscapes, trails, recreation, bird species and other fauna, nearby communities and more. Ongoing updates on this near-urban wilderness are also available on the Backlands Coalition Facebook page.

Evening Grace
Many thanks to Purcell’s Cove artist Geoffrey Grantham for allowing us to share this image of his painting. Evening Grace, Oil on Panel, 9×12″, Spring 2014, available at Pavia Gallery, Herring Cove.

Geoffrey has a solo exhibition coming up at Pavia in April: www.paviagallery.com/upcoming/.