Shaw Wilderness Park Re-opens 8Oct2025

Posted on October 10, 2025 by admin

Thx to WLCC for passing this info on.

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Birds of the Backlands: Hairy Woodpecker

Posted on October 5, 2025 by admin

By Joshua Barss Donham, in Chebucto News October 2025, page 5.

From the article:
Description: This handsome wood- pecker gets its name from the hairy looking white feathers in the middle of its back. The “Hairy” has stiff black tail feathers with which it braces itself against the tree as it moves up trunks and branches in search of food. In flight, its tail flashes white feathers, which are otherwise hidden, and its heavily checkered wings are conspicuous.

Habitat: Hairy Woodpeckers are found in mature forests during the nesting season as they need medium to large trees in which to nest. They excavate nest holes in dead standing trees, or dead sections of a living tree, and rarely use the same nest cavity year to year. Their abandoned nests provide homes for other cavi- ties-nesting species: White-breasted Nuthatches, Winter Wrens, and Black-capped Chickadees, which all nest in the Backlands.

This year, pairs of Hairy Wood- peckers were seen nesting in the Shaw Wilderness Park and, for the second year in a row, west of Colpitt Lake… Read More in the Chebucto News

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The Shaw Wilderness Park parking lot and trail closed Sep22-Oct17,2025

Posted on October 2, 2025 by admin

From Build Nova Scotia:

The Shaw Wilderness Park parking lot and the trail from the parking lot to the dam site will be temporarily closed beginning Monday, September 22, with an anticipated reopening Friday, October 17. The closure is to accommodate work to replace the Williams Lake Dam.

Security fencing will be installed at the trail head at the parking lot for public safety while construction equipment and crews carry out upgrades to the trail which will support the construction equipment needed to replace the dam.

For more information on this project, visit the link below.

buildns.ca/projects/williams-lake-dam/

Posted in Community, Shaw Wilderness Park | Comments Off on The Shaw Wilderness Park parking lot and trail closed Sep22-Oct17,2025

Woods Ban lifted for parts of Nova Scotia including the Backlands 29Aug2025

Posted on August 30, 2025 by admin

Click on image to go to NS Gov News Release

From Woods ban lifted for parts of Nova Scotia by Anjuli Patil · CBC News, Aug 29, 2025:

Houston said Friday that a province wide ban would end for some areas at 4 p.m., but the ban remains for several counties…”The professionals have determined that for some areas of the province, the [fire] index is no longer extreme and no longer expected to reach extreme numbers again and anytime in the near future,” Houston said…the woods restrictions are ending in the following counties: Cape Breton, Richmond. Victoria. Inverness. Guysborough. Antigonish. Halifax.” Restrictions on entering the woods have been in effect since Aug. 5.

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NS Provincial government rejects Halifax’s updates to its Regional Plan 12Aug2025

Posted on August 12, 2025 by admin

From Regional Plan on HRM website:

On Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, the Halifax Regional Municipality received a letter from the Province of Nova Scotia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs in response to the municipality’s submission of the updated Regional Plan refusing the approval of the documents.

Moving forward, this means that the current 2014 Regional Plan, last amended in May 2025, remains in effect, as the new proposed amendments have not been approved by the province. Over the coming weeks, municipal staff will re-engage with the province to determine the next steps on the planning process and ensure the Regional Plan is updated in a way that fulfills the municipality’s obligations under provincial legislation.

From The Letter: Continue reading →

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‘The Backlands’ group exhibition travels to Alderney Landing for August/September 11Aug2025

Posted on August 11, 2025 by admin

Forwarded by Marla Cranston:

The Backlands Coalition is bringing the unique urban wilderness of the Halifax Backlands across the harbour to art and nature fans in Dartmouth! Through the works of eight talented local artists, “The Backlands” exhibition offers an exceptional glimpse into the area’s stunning natural landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife.

August 11 to September 28, 2025
In the Case Galleries at The Craig Gallery (window galleries just outside the main gallery)
Alderney Landing Community Cultural Centre
2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
Gallery’s exhibition info: alderneylanding.com/events/the-backlands
Continue reading →

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Lengthy article by Suzanne Rent in Morning File (Hfx Examiner) highlights Backlands, Common Nighthawks, bird-watching, impacts of fire 8Aug, 2025

Posted on August 8, 2025 by admin

View

An early bird becomes a night owl searching for common nighthawks on the forest’s edge
by Suzanne Rent in Halifax Examiner’s Morning File for Aug 8, 2025.

It includes some interesting discussion of the impacts of fire, so relevant right now. Continue reading →

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Province-wide restrictions on activities in “the woods” put most of the Backlands out of bounds 6Aug2025

Posted on August 6, 2025 by admin

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.”
——–
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.

Continue reading →

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Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect 30Jul2025

Posted on July 31, 2025 by admin

NS Gov News Release, July 30, 2025:

Nova Scotia has proclaimed a provincewide burn ban.

Because of hot, dry conditions, there is a ban on open fires effective immediately across the entire province.

The ban was put in place today, July 30, and will remain in place until October 15 – the end of wildfire season – or until conditions improve. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000.

Read more in News Release

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Our HRM Alliance News: Regional Plan, Backlands Birds, Flat Lake Hike & more 11Jul2025

Posted on July 11, 2025 by admin

The Backlands Coalition is a member of Our HRM Alliance, a coalition of over 60 organizations from environment, business, health and community sectors advocating for a sustainable future in Halifax…

This update/news was issued today:

Hello Alliance,

We hope you are having a wonderful July so far. The summer season has has started and there is lots on the go!

The Regional Council has finalized the Regional Plan, which will guide development and planning decisions in HRM for the next decade and beyond.

Read on for member news and upcoming events—it’s more important than ever to stay connected and show up for our community.

Jillian and Belle

Continue reading →

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