iNaturalist map showing individual observations within the Backlands
After Bev Wigney made a post “22,429 iNaturalist Eyes on Nova Scotia“, I was prompted to find out how many such eyes there are on the Backlands.
I set up an iNaturalist “Project” – “Halifax NS Backlands” – on April 20, 2020 which collates all iNaturalist observations within the Backlands, that area defined by a map (see image at right). Continue reading
“Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about some of the Citizen & Student Science work in the Halifax Backlands. All are welcome.
Please join us at the Chocolate Lake Community Centre, the Armdale Room. Doors open 6:30 pm for socializing & set up.
Presentations begin at 7 PM.
Bring your friends”
Received from Friends of Halifax Common
Dear Friends,
Join us for FHC’s Thursday Action – Homes Not Highways!
Date: Thursday, November 20
Rain date Friday Nov 21 – check halifaxcommon.ca or Facebook.com/halifaxcommon/ for changes
Times: noon – 1 pm & 4 – 5 pm
Place: Corner of Robie & Charles Streets Continue reading
Thx to WLCC for passing this info on.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
