Work to Begin on New Williams Lake Dam 17Jun2026

Posted on June 17, 2026 by admin

By: Cathy Vaughan
Reprinted with permission from Chebucto News

Construction on the long-anticipated replacement of the Williams Lake dam is set to begin this June, marking a major milestone in efforts to enhance safety for people living in the area, protect their properties, and the ecosystem. The Province is investing $4.965 million in this project, which is being managed by Build Nova Scotia.

The entrance to Shaw Wilderness Park off Purcells Cove Road and associated construction area were closed Monday, May 11, for the duration of the project, which is expected to continue to late October. Other trailheads and trail systems outside of the construction area remain open.  Continue reading →

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Backlands Coalition: Please add your voice to help protect nearly HALF of the Halifax Backlands 5June2026

Posted on June 5, 2026 by admin

From the Backlands Coalition today

Help! 5 mins of your time today could help protect a huge piece of the Halifax Backlands Wilderness!

In a News Release issued on Wednesday 27 May, 2026, the Nova Scotia Government (Environment and Climate Change) announced the protection of “836 hectares of Nova Scotia’s land and water, and 5.2 kilometres of its coastline” AND the opening of consultation on “13 proposed new or expanded wilderness areas and nature reserves”

One of those 13 areas is a 505 hectare piece of the Halifax Backlands that many people mistakenly believe is already protected: the “Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality.“

While this is very good news, we’re not quite at the finish line! We need to ensure that the Province gets a clear picture of the value of protecting this area during the consultation process.

Add your voice by July 28, 2026 to help protect nearly HALF of the Halifax Backlands by visiting this link: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c2ac6871cb8d4729845d5bae821e3395 & providing your comments.

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Related In the News:
– N.S creating new nature reserve in Digby County, eyeing 3 more across province
By Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri for CBC News May 27, 2026

– New nature reserve announced in Nova Scotia’s Digby County
By Natalie Lombard for CTV News May 27, 2026

Posted in Backlands, Conservation, Parks and Protected Areas | Comments Off on Backlands Coalition: Please add your voice to help protect nearly HALF of the Halifax Backlands 5June2026

Williams Lake levels lowered temporarily 28May2026

Posted on May 28, 2026 by admin

For Updates, see Williams Lake Dam page

By: Cathy Vaughan
As part of the construction phases of the new dam on Williams Lake, the water level will be temporarily adjusted to accommodate the installation of the coffer dam. This is a non-permanent structure built in the lake in front of the old dam. Once installed the water will be pumped out of the area to create a dry workspace for crews and equipment to safely remove the old dam and build the new dam. Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Williams Lake | Comments Off on Williams Lake levels lowered temporarily 28May2026

505 ha of Crown lands in the Backlands under consideration for formal protection, feedback sought 27May2026

Posted on May 27, 2026 by admin

View Protected Areas Consultation for a description of the lands under consideration for protection,  maps and access to a form to provide feedback

In a News Release issued today, the NS Gov: Environment and Climate Change announced protection of “836 hectares of Nova Scotia’s land and water, and 5.2 kilometres of its coastline” AND opening of consultation on  “13 proposed new or expanded wilderness areas and nature reserves”, those including “Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality (new, 505 hectares)“,

A link is given to the Protected Areas Consultation which takes place beginning today (May 27) and continues to July 28, 2026. Citizens are asked to “review the information and maps… and provide comments before July 28, 2026.

It is surely very good news!

Posted in Community, Conservation, Parks and Protected Areas, Uncategorized | Comments Off on 505 ha of Crown lands in the Backlands under consideration for formal protection, feedback sought 27May2026

Build NS Message re: Access to Shaw Wilderness Park 7May2026

Posted on May 7, 2026 by admin

From Build NS (bolding inserted):

Click on image to go to FAQs

“Please be advised entry to Shaw Wilderness Park off Purcells Cove Road will be temporarily closed starting Monday, May 11, to the public due to ongoing construction of the new dam.

“The associated trail and the dam area are also closed.

“This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of park users and to allow crews to complete this important project efficiently.

“Construction is expected to continue to late October. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as this work is carried out.

“Updates on reopening timelines will be shared as they become available.
For more information contact: info@buildns.ca
For updated information visit the link below.

“https://buildns.ca/projects/williams-lake-dam/williams-lake-dam-faq/“

Posted in Backlands, Community, Williams Lake | Comments Off on Build NS Message re: Access to Shaw Wilderness Park 7May2026

Bird Watching Events in the Backlands May 8 to May 17, 2026

Posted on April 29, 2026 by admin

May 8, 8-9:30: Clark Kent Trail
May 10, 10-11:30: Osprey Ridge Trail
May 15, 8:30-10: Norawarren Trail
May 17, 10-11:30: Clark Kent Trail

Space is limited, ‘Must register with Halifax Public Libraries

Posted in Birds, Community, Conservation | Comments Off on Bird Watching Events in the Backlands May 8 to May 17, 2026

Nova Scotia Provincial Bird returns to the Backlands! 16Apr2026

Posted on April 16, 2026 by admin

Report from Joshua Barss Donham,  Apr 14, 2026:

Thursday, April 9th, Fulton and I saw an Osprey over the McIntosh Run at Princeton flying in the direction of Osprey Ridge.

Today, Taiya and I witnessed the Princeton Ave Osprey’s return with much vocalizing and spiralling about, bonding ritual, high above the nest before settling down in/on it together. Continue reading →

Posted in Backlands, Birds, Conservation | Comments Off on Nova Scotia Provincial Bird returns to the Backlands! 16Apr2026

Keep an eye out for the first flowers in the Backlands 11Apr2026

Posted on April 11, 2026 by admin

Broom crowberry, Corema conradii, Nova Scotia’s earliest flowering native species after skunk cabbage, is now or will soon be in flower in the Backlands!

We know that courtesy of Joshua Barss Donham who took these pics in the Backlands one year ago (Apr 11, 2025):

Broom Crowberry, male flowers

Broom Crowberry, female flowers

Broom Crowberry is “dioecious” (separate male and female plants) with terminal flowers appearing in April, (sometimes in March) through to mid-May, depending on the site and year.

Male plants (and colonies developed from a single male plant) are much more common than female plants. Raymond Fielding in Shrubs of Nova Scotia (1988) aptly describes male colonies as presenting “a haze of wine-coloured anthers”… More about Broom Crowberry

Posted in Conservation | Comments Off on Keep an eye out for the first flowers in the Backlands 11Apr2026

“Build Nova Scotia – spring action on the Williams Lake Dam” 14Mar2026

Posted on March 14, 2026 by admin

So reads the title for an informative post by Cathy Vaughan on the Williams Lake Conservation Company website.

“Winter is coming to a close which means work will resume soon on replacing the Williams Lake Dam.

“The first step is to do water tests and condition assessments on eight properties in the area…

“Dexter is expected to begin putting fencing onsite in April in preparation for replacing the dam.”

Read more on WLCC website

…

Posted in Community, Etu'panuek, Shaw Wilderness Park, Williams Lake | Comments Off on “Build Nova Scotia – spring action on the Williams Lake Dam” 14Mar2026

447 iNaturalist eyes on the Backlands 16Feb2026

Posted on February 16, 2026 by admin

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 →

Posted in Conservation, Nature Stuff | Comments Off on 447 iNaturalist eyes on the Backlands 16Feb2026