Contribute to Online Map for Halifax Green Network – by June 30

Screen Capture of the online mapping tool All nature lovers are encouraged to provide input to the Halifax Green Network Plan (HGNP) by adding pins/descriptions to the HGNP online mapping tool to identify lands are that important for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.

This map and information about the HGNP are available at http://halifax.ca/HalifaxGreennetwork/

A memo written by the Our HRM Alliance Greenbelt Scientific Advisory Committee
http://tinyurl.com/ntqk98b
provides some further context from an ecological perspective.

As a component of Phase 1 (Phase 1 – Planning Foundations the values, issues and goals) of the Halifax Green Network Plan the map is available for input is available only to the end of June, 2015.
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Halifax Green Network Public Consultations May 30 – June 20, 2015

“Halifax Regional Council has identified the need for a strategic vision and a planning & implementation framework for protecting and managing open space. The public is being asked to give input into the plan. Here’s a list of the upcoming public engagement opportunities. Please join us. We want to hear from you!”

Saturday, May 30th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Pop-Up Event
Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
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7 new insect species found in the Maritimes

CBC PicCBC News (May 27, 2015): “A two-year study conducted by scientists at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre in Sackville found seven pollinators, never before recorded in the Maritimes. The survey was conducted in southwestern Nova Scotia to document species of bee (Apoidea) and flower fly (Syrphidae). John Klymko, a zoologist at the centre, who lead the study, said the project was important because of the lack of information about pollinators in the region.” View story

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Calling all Naturalists! Biota Survey at Otter Pond Demo. Forest June 27

“Please join us for a day in the woods at Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest. A biota survey will take place on Saturday June 27th – and we’d like your help! The site is located roughly an hour and a half from Halifax, near the community of Mooseland, in the interior of the Eastern Shore.

“Our goal is to increase our knowledge about the property’s flora and fauna. Naturalists with various interests are invited to participate. Please bring along field guides, GPS, binoculars, sturdy waterproof footwear, snacks, water, and insect repellent. The survey will take place throughout the day. We intend to focus on four areas of interest: hardwood drumlins, softwood lowlands, wetlands, and a core area of old forest that hasn’t been harvested since the late 1800’s. Continue reading

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THURSDAY, JUN. 4: SOLVING a TITANIC MYSTERY

“Solving the Great Titanic Headstone Mystery” In Halifax, 150 victims of the sinking of the Titanic lie buried beneath identical black granite headstones. 15 years ago, when one of these headstones was damaged, the Halifax Regional Municipality sought to replace it. Because there is no historical record about the source quarry, its location has to be found scientifically. In this presentation, retired Dalhousie geology professor Dr. Barrie Clarke will describe the Sherlock Holmesian techniques of sleuthing through cemeteries, repositioning of relatives, fumbling through forests, and labouring in laboratories to collect enough forensic evidence to locate the quarry. Read more 7:30 P.M. at the NSMNH

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THURSDAY, JUN. 4: HFN MEMBERS’ ART EXHIBIT OPENS

The Halifax Field Naturalists will partner with the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History (NSMNH) to hold a Members’ Art Exhibit. Its official opening will take place at 6:45 p.m., prior to HFN’s regular meeting, on the main floor of the Museum. The NSMNH is HFN’s public home and the perfect place to hold this exhibit in celebration of HFN’s 40th Anniversary. It is also a unique way to showcase the artistic pursuits of some HFN members. The exhibit will run until September 27th, 2015, so plan to visit with your family and friends!

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Nature Trust on HFN’s 40th

The NSNT featured an article about “HFN and its 40 years” and it was in their January 2015 Landlines e-newsletter: Updates From the Forefront of Land Conservation in Nova Scotia. It is reproduced below with permission of NSNT.

Janet Dalton, President of HFN, presents $5000 Pledge to Karen McKendry of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. Photo by Keith Vaughan.

This year, the Halifax Field Naturalists (HFN) are celebrating an amazing and productive 40 years of natural history education and conservation advocacy. In addition to monthly field trips and natural history presentations, they publish reports and a quarterly newsletter, and get involved with conservation initiatives. Read about the HFN’s 40 year history in a recent op-ed by HFN member Richard Beazley. Continue reading

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International Migratory Bird Day at Wolfville Ridge – May 9, 1-4pm

Welcome back our fine feathered friends at the Wolfville Ridge Conservation Lands, just outside of Wolfville. We will offer activities for kids, a guided walk, and help with the identification of birds. This is a family-friendly event, and open to new bird watchers. Hosted in partnership with the Young Naturalists Club, Nature Canada, and the Nova Scotia Bird Society. Register with the Nature Trust at nature@nsnt.ca or 902-425-5263. View Poster

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THURSDAY, APR. 2: LICHENS AND MOSSES

Frances Anderson and Anne Mills will share some aspects of the fascinating biology of lichens, mosses, and liverworts. 7:30 P.M. at the NSMNH All Welcome. Read more

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PNSIS Editorial explores role of Citizen Science

In an editorial for the current issue of the Proceedings of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science (PNSIS), Editors Peter Wells and David Richardson comment on cutbacks in federally funded environmental monitoring programs and highlight “the pivotal role of citizen science, particularly when it is directed at monitoring the various natural environments in Canada and in our region. Such activity by non-government organizations (NGOs) is no longer just a valued supplement to government sponsored programs; in many cases, it has replaced them. However, this situation raises some questions, to be pondered by members of NSIS and the broad environmental community….” The Halifax Field Naturalists are cited as one of the organizations in Nova Scotia pursuing and promoting citizen science and keeping records and are complimented on their 40th anniversary. Read Editorial (posted with permission of NSIS).

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Mon, Feb. 23, 2015: Otter Pond Demonstration Forest

MattMatt Miller of the Ecology Action Centre will talk about Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest (OPDF), in Mooseland, on the Eastern Shore. It’s a community forest project where a 1500 acre parcel of Crown land is being managed cooperatively by 4 NGOs (EAC, Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators, Eastern Shore Forest Watch and Mooseland Community Association). The first of its kind in Nova Scotia! Their mission is to demonstrate the philosophy, science, and practice of uneven-aged management in the Acadian Forest. They produce timber for market using the best forest practices presently known, while protecting wildlife habitat and the Tangier River watershed, respecting the ecosystem services provided by the parcel, and enhancing the social and cultural value of the forest. Management practices are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council’s Maritime Standard. This presentation is being made to the NS Wild Flora Society with cooperation of HFN. All welcome! HFN/NSWFS plan a field trip to the site in the summer or fall. 7:30 p.m. at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History

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Got a natural curiosity? Join us in the field

An Op-ed in the Chronicle Herald by HFN member Richard Beazley reviews some of HFNs accomplishments and activities and invites members of the public to our 40th anniversary events and, of course, to become members of the Halifax Field Naturalists. View article

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