There’s no such thing as a sour Huckleberry 8Sep2026

Posted on September 8, 2026 by admin

By David Patriquin

Ripe Huckleberries on barrens by East Pine Island Pond Sep 7, 2026

Huckleberry (Gaylusaccua baccata)* on the barrens by East Pine Island pond yesterday were ready for pickin’.
*There are two Gaylussacia species in NS,  G. dumosa, common name “Bog Huckleberry” and G. baccata, common name “Huckleberry” or “Black Huckleberry”.

Huckleberries are as sweet as a berry can be, I told my walking mate. He agreed but a few minutes later spat a mouthful out and cursed their sourness.

“Those were not Huckleberries” I said. “There’s no such thing as a sour huckleberry”.

Sure enough I checked the spot out and there was a single shoot of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) amongst the Huckleberry bushes. There were no berries on it – he had picked them, but the leaves are distinctive, at least they are when you look at them close-up.  Chokeberries have finely toothed margins versus the smooth margins of Huckleberry leaves. Continue reading →

Posted in Backlands, Nature Stuff, Recreation | Comments Off on There’s no such thing as a sour Huckleberry 8Sep2026

Public Consultation Opens on New Protected Areas including additions to Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area 23Aug2026

Posted on August 23, 2026 by admin

Screenshot of map for the additions to the Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area (the original area, now pending, is also shown)
Click on image for larger version.
View Source

Clarification/Update 25Aug2026: The “Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area” referred to in this NS Gov, announcement of Aug 21, 2026 is being presented as an addition to the Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area which lies entirely within the “Backlands” as referred to by the Coalition and for which a consultation was announced on May 27, 2026 (and is now closed).

From the new consultation docs:

“Earlier this year the Province announced its intention to designate about 500 hectares of land and water between Herring Cove Road and Purcells Cove Road in Halifax Regional Municipality as Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area. The Province now proposes making this new wilderness area much larger, by adding another roughly 2,910 hectares of land and interior waterbodies between Spryfield and Sambro.”

———

ORIGINAL POST

Extracts from NS Gov News Release Aug 21, 2026 (bolding inserted):

Part of the Margaree River watershed and old growth forest in Cape Breton, a coastal area along the Eastern Shore, and a mix of forest, coastline and lake shoreline in Halifax are set to become Nova Scotia’s newest wilderness areas.

Public consultation opens today, August 21, on protecting 5,100 more hectares of Nova Scotia’s land and water, including:

– three new wilderness areas
– additions to seven existing wilderness areas
– an addition to one existing nature reserve.

“Nova Scotia is home to an incredible abundance of protected natural areas with an area about one and a half times the size of Prince Edward Island now protected, and we continue to protect more of our land and water,” said Nolan Young, acting Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “With our small land mass, Nova Scotia is punching well above our weight in land protection and setting the pace for how provinces can both safeguard nature and responsibly develop land for housing, jobs and economic opportunities. These new proposed sites build on that momentum and reflect our commitment to protecting the landscapes that make Nova Scotia so special.”

Nova Scotians can provide input until October 20 at: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/ *

*From that link: “Learn more about the areas proposed for protection by viewing this map and site descriptions. Feedback can be submitted by completing the online form included with site descriptions.”

…New wilderness areas:

– Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality, 2,910 hectares
– Musquodoboit Harbour Wilderness Area, Halifax Regional Municipality, 308 hectares
– Masons Mountain Wilderness Area, Inverness County, 154 hectares
Posted in Backlands, Conservation, Crown lands | Comments Off on Public Consultation Opens on New Protected Areas including additions to Herring Cove Backlands Wilderness Area 23Aug2026

Peak flowering (now) is a good time to spot invasive multiflora rose and help stop its spread into the Backlands 6Jul2026

Posted on July 6, 2026 by admin

By David Patriquin

Adapted from a post made on July 6, 2023.
As in 2023, Rosa multiflora us at  peak flowering time right now.

Two stages in which R. multiflora is quite readily seen and identified in Halifax area – left when it is in flower, early July; right in winter when clusters red berries stand out (if not already consumed by birds)
Click on images for larger versions

It’s peak flowering time for Rosa multiflora, an invasive species that can be challenging to remove once it gets well established. The plants are readily spotted when they are flowering, so its a good time to be on the lookout for them, especially when they are just getting established and are most readily controlled.

To my knowledge, and from the records on an iNaturalist Project for multiflora rose (likely under-reported), it hasn’t yet gained a significant foothold in the undeveloped lands of the Backlands proper.  However, it has been noted in a few spots and it is socked into many areas along trails and roadsides in nearby areas, e.g. along much of Purcell’s Cove Road and in the area of Connaught Battery. Continue reading →

Posted in Backlands, Conservation, Invasive species | Comments Off on Peak flowering (now) is a good time to spot invasive multiflora rose and help stop its spread into the Backlands 6Jul2026

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. Read More

Posted in Water Quality, Watershed, Williams Lake | Comments Off on Work to Begin on New Williams Lake Dam 17Jun2026

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.

`
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