The Backlands Coalition

UPDATE Aug 8, 2025: Municipality provides further information on restrictions to municipal park spaces
Posted by HRM August 6, 2025. “Woods, as defined in the provincial Forests Act, include forested land, rock barren, brush land, dry marsh, bog or muskeg.   Municipal park spaces: Parks that are entirely woods are now fully closed. Examples of this include Admiral Cove, Hemlock Ravine and Shaw Wilderness Park. Parks with non-wooded areas remain open for use. Examples of this include the Halifax Common, the Dartmouth Common, Sullivan’s Pond – as well as municipal playgrounds, sports fields and ball diamonds…”

UPDATE: Statement by Kathleen Hall, Chair Backlands Coalition on Aug 5:
“Today the Province of Nova Scotia announced a ban on travel and activities in the woods of Nova Scotia. This ban exists until October 15 or until conditions improve. It is important to note this ban applies to all land with no exceptions. In other words, all provincial, municipal and privately held lands. Federal lands have been added to this list. This is very unfortunate for all of us who spend a lot of time in nature but the high risk of fire is very real with the extreme weather we are currently experiencing.”
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ORIGINAL POST

“The Woods”  includes even lightly wooded areas such as our open barrens.

Yesterday the province announced:

The Province is restricting travel and activities in the woods because continued hot, dry conditions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires. The restrictions, effective as of 4 p.m. today, August 5, include: hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are not permitted trail systems through woods are off limits camping is allowed only in campgrounds. These and other measures are in place on provincial Crown and private land until October 15 or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000. …Forestry, mining and any commercial activity on provincial Crown lands are also restricted. People who conduct this kind of activity can apply for a permit at their local Department of Natural Resources office. While the restrictions are in place, people can still access beaches and parks, but not the trail systems. Private landowners are free to use their own properties but cannot host others to use wooded areas of their properties.

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