Halifax Field Naturalists

Plans to open a strip mine in karst located in forested uplands of the Avon Peninsula threaten sustainable livelihoods and would obliterate habitat for a number of species at risk. Fundy Gypsum announced on Jan 25th that it is closing the nearby Wentworth Creek mine and its Miller Creek Mine was closed last year because of reduced demand; plans for the Avon mine are apparently “on the shelf for now”. Read more

A recent report documents losses in landbirds shared by Canada, U.S. and Mexico. One-hundred and forty-eight species are in need of immediate conservation attention. The report calls for Tri-National action to protect, restore, and enhance populations and habitats of North America’s birds. Read more at www.savingoursharedbirds.org.

There may be some lessons for us in N.S. as we proceed to reduced clearcutting. See article in Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Canadian Geographic or online

Are you making a New Year’s resolution to eat more locally grown and produced food? Then you will already be a shopper at the new Seaport Market. Join us as we spend some time discovering the details behind the scenes of this LEED designed and built building, one of the first in Halifax. Read more

As a coastal province, we have opportunities and challenges ahead. Learn about the priority issues and progress towards a Coastal Strategy in Nova Scotia at our first meeting of the New Year. Read more

On Dec 1, the N.S. Government released a Policy Framework for its Natural Resources Strategy which includes a directive to “reduce the proportion of wood harvested by the clear cut method to no more than 50% of all forested lands over a five-year period.” (Clearcutting has averaged over 520 km2 a year over the past decade.) Another directive: “Public funds will not be directed to herbicide spraying for forestry”. Read DNR Update

Join HFN members John and Anita Carpenter as they take us on a bicycle tour through the Magdalen Islands, along with a group of cycling enthusiasts from HRM. Our annual members’ Holiday Social will take place after the talk.
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Because of recent findings in, on, around and near Angevine Lake (botanical, animal and insect), the area has been defined as “Tier 1” (first priority for future protection). Mary Macaulay has a cottage at the lake and has helped find some of the interesting and unusual species there. She will share some of her explorations with the N.S. Wild Flora Society at their meeting at the Museum of Natural History. Read more

Biographer Deborah Carr will discuss the life and conservation activities of Mary Majka at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, Nov. 17th at 7:30 p.m. Read more

Join us to hike some of the rugged trails in the Purcell’s Cove-Herring Cove area, traversing different forest types, barrens and lakeshores. Read more

All are welcome to attend our next monthly meeting at which DFO staff will make a presentation on The Gully: Protecting and understanding one of Canada’s marine biodiversity gems. The Gully is Atlantic Canada’s first Marine Protected Area. We meet Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 pm at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural Hisory on Summer Street. Read more