Halifax Field Naturalists

Illustrated Presentation by Cole Grabinsky and Rachael Groat, Graduates, School of Planning, Dalhousie University.(Supervisor: John Zuck of Purcell’s Cove)
When: Thursday May 19th 7:30 PM
Where: Purcells Cove Social Club, 505 Purcells Cove Rd, Halifax.
Click on image for larger version

A CBC news item reports on studies by Bird Studies Canada monitoring the rate at which owners leash their dogs at provincial beaches, the focus of concern being piping plovers. “We’ve seen the highest levels of dogs being off leash at Conrad’s Beach in Halifax and Martinique, as well as Glace Bay beach.” Read CBC news item

Our HRM Alliance is hosting a session to help anyone give input on the Green Network Online Map at the Ecology Action Centre on Thursday May 5. They will also be offering pizza 🙂 4:30—7:00. (Drop in anytime at your convenience.) Ecology Action Centre, 2705 Fern Lane, Halifax

Based on her travels to Rapa Nui in 2015, in her photographic presentation HFN member Barbara O’Shea will discuss some of the mystery surrounding the island, along with a few current theories used to explain and understand the history of Rapa Nui and its moai. 7:30 p.m. at the NSMNH (All Welcome) Read more

From Our HRM Alliance:

The Green Network Maps are now available online. Please share with your networks and ask people to leave positive comments for the natural areas you care about that the maps have recognized as valuable.

It’s a big, interactive map so you will want to use a good internet connection. Here is the map: http://engage.o2design.com/halifax/engagemap2/
There are seven maps, but the most impressive is the Indispensable Patterns & Highest Ecological Values. With the right implementation, that would make an amazing greenbelt. Continue reading →

Director John Klymko will discuss project highlights, including new records and insights into the conservation status of our Nova Scotia butterflies. He will also provide an update on what’s next for the project. 7:30 p.m. at the NSMNH. Read more

We encourage everyone who values our green spaces to attend a session which run from March 30 to April 7. NEW INFO (Apr 2): The maps and other info and opportunities for online comment will be available online on Monday April 4, 2016.

From www.halifax.ca/HalifaxGreenNetwork/EngagementEvents.php:

“The second phase of public engagement for the new Halifax Green Network Plan gets underway on Wednesday, March 30. This phase of work will be critical in shaping the core planning directions for the conservation and use of both public and privately-owned open space lands and waters.

“Over the next month [actually over 9 days] the municipality and consultants from O2 Planning + Design will host eight public engagement meetings. Each session will begin with a presentation of the work to date, key findings and proposed broad-scale planning directions. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and an open house session to gather further feedback. This input will then shape the third and final phase of the Plan’s development, which will commence later this spring.

“We hope you can join us at one or more of the following sessions:

“Fall River – Sackville
Wednesday, March 30, 6 – 9 p.m.
Gordon R. Snow Community Centre, 1359 Fall River Rd.

“Halifax Peninsula
Thursday, March 31, 6 – 9 p.m.
Atlantica Hotel, 1980 Robie St.
Continue reading →

The case against clearcutting forest for electricity could hardly be stated more succinctly or more believably. View film

So goes the headline for an op-ed by HFN member and Colin Stewart Conservation Award winner Bob Bancroft in today’s CH. “Centuries ago, Maritime forests loomed over freshwater shores; tall, vibrant, thick and strong. Early European settlers grumbled about spending dismal days in forests with sunlight cut off by thick overhead canopies of leaves and needles… read more

An Anti-Biomass Petition (“Stop destroying Nova Scotia’s forests for biomass power generation”) has garnered more than 25000 signatures in less than 10 days. Started by a St. Margaret’s Bay resident, it elicited a Bruce McKinnon editorial cartoon in the CH. Read more in CH. The petition remains open.

The Annual General Meeting takes place first. It includes reports of HFN business and activities over the past 12 months, and also the election of the next Board of Directors. Then it is ‘show time’ for viewing and hearing about a wide variety of members’ photos.
7:30 p.m. at the NSMNH Read More