The Backlands Coalition

The Staff Report was released yesterday. Here are some comments from OurHRM Alliance:

Dear Alliance,
Our HRM Alliance fully endorses the staff report on the proposed amendments to the Regional Plan. It uses strong language to reject nearly all amendments. The report can be found here:
http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/140520cow3i.pdf
Here are the key points:
The report recommends against changing the Purcell’s Cove and Westphal Urban Reserve designations because there is already enough land prepared to be developed in those areas. Development there would also be “pre-mature” because more needs to be done to study the water and traffic impacts of development on those lands. Continue reading →

Whether we keep a strong regional plan could be decided in the coming days. Today, Staff releases their report on the last-minute proposed amendments to the regional plan. On Tuesday May 20: Committee of the Whole meets to discuss the amendments. Depending on time, Regional Council may also be held, in which case the amendments may be decided on the same day. Those who support maintaining a strong regional plan are encouraged to attend Council on Tuesday, May 20th. The amendments would have a huge impact. Urban forests in Purcell’s Cove and and near Cole Harbour are at risk. If sewer is extended as far as proposed, we will all pay in dearly in fees and taxes. Some changes could create loopholes that would open up the possibility of development nearly anywhere in the region. Tuesday is an opportunity to show councillors residents do not want rules to be changed the moment they are inconvenient for developers. View A list of the amendments. An article by Tristan Cleveland in the Coast which addresses some of these issues. See Agenda & Reports

The Annual General Meeting of the Williams Lake Conservation Company will be held at 7:00 on Wednesday, May 14th at the Captain Spry Centre, 10 Kidston Rd, Spryfield. Dr David Patriquin will present highlights of the Ecological Assessment of the Plant Communities of the Williams Lake Backlands that he and Dr. Nick Hill recently completed on behalf of the WLCC. The AGM is also an opportunity for us to review the year’s activities and for you to bring forward your concerns and observations. Everyone is welcome. See Q&A with David P on Plant life study for Williams Lake Backlands in Saturday’s (May 9) Chronicle Herald or online | Interview on Information Mornings

HRM regional Council will (tentatively) discuss amendments to the Regional Plan that would greatly reduce controls on development and our eventual greenbelt on Tuesday May 20th. OurHRM Alliance opposes these amendments because they were made last-minute, at the first reading of the plan, at which point there is little opportunity for public input. The date of the discussion will remain tentative until May 16, the same day staff will be releasing a report on the proposed amendments. Stay Tuned!

Over 100 people participated in the Backlands 360 walks on Saturday, welcomed by the sun itself! There were three walks (Piggy Mt, Williams Lake, McIntosh Run/Colpitt Lake), followed by a social and the Purcell’s Cove Social Club. For most of the participants, it was the first time they had visited the area of the selected walk or even the larger backlands. We’ll be posting more photos soon. Thanks to the organizers and participants!

Send message to Councilors: We urge you to Vote AGAINST the amendment to change Urban Reserve designation for the Purcell’s Cove Backlands on May 20th by signing our PETITION

The Backlands Coalition invites Nova Scotians to participate in an afternoon of guided walks and discussions on May 3, organized as part of the annual Jane’s Walk events across Canada and around the world.

The ‘Backlands 360’ walks aim to raise awareness about the importance of the Backlands, a unique 1,300-hectare urban wilderness area west of the Halifax peninsula and bordered by Purcell’s Cove Road, Williams Lake Road, Herring Cove Road and Powers Pond. Read more

Wed Apr 30, 2014.. I took three guys who have interests in HRM culture and wildlands into the Backlands. It was their first visit. First we went to an upland Jack Pine/Broom Crowberry Barrens site, then to Williams Lake and the watercourse in the Granite/Meguma Rock contact area. I think it’s fair to say they were impressed and understood why even limited development is not compatable with conservation of the special qualities of the Backlands See pics

David Patriquin, one of two biologists who conducted the Ecological Assessment of the Plant Communities of the Williams Lake Backlands was interviewed today at noon hour on the Rick Howe show (95.7 FM). He talked about the fire regime and the presence of the rare Jack Pine/Broom Crowberry Barrens. Listen to Archived Interview. (The interview with Patriquin starts at 22 min.)

At a recent talk given to the Nova Scotia Bird Society, ornithologist Cindy Staicer described a developing program to enhance conservation of Landbirds Species at Risk in Forested Landscapes. The program is based at Dalhousie University and is being conducted in collaboration with the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute.

The immediate focus is on five species: Canada Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rusty Blackbird, Common Nighthawk, & Chimney Swift. Continue reading →