Halifax Field Naturalists

An evening of discussion about forests, their influence on society and why they matter to Canadians. A Nature Conservancy of Canada Event at Pier 21. $8 admission, students free. Details

Bee decline is a worrying phenomenon. In our first evening meeting for the fall season, Andony Melathopoulos will introduce us to the key Nova Scotian species, provide a glimpse of their natural history, and talk about what we need to do to ensure their conservation. 7:30 p.m. at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History on Summer Street in Halifax. All welcome. Read more

On our joint Halifax Field Naturalists/Nova Scotia Wildflower Society walk at Prospect Head Nature Reserve yesterday (July 12, 2014), we noted extensive browning of vegetation which was attributed to salt burn associated with sea spray from Tropical Storm Arthur 8 days before, preceded and followed by hot, dry weather. At one point, a few of us paused and wondered about a strong smell of caramelized sugar that seemed to come from a white spruce.. read more

Peter Webster will lead this scenic hike which starts and finishes at the Inner Gulf Island end of the coastal trail and goes toward Prospect. Read more.

According to the SMU Campus Master Plan, St. Mary’s University plans to construct a large buildling (the “Oaks Complex”) in the red oak woodland by The Oaks in south-end Halifax. This remnant natural woodland with elements of old growth forest (multiaged oaks, snags, decaying fallen trees) & abundant witch hazel, indian pipe, mocassin orchid and bird life would be decimated… View Photo

The now long-awaited Public Hearing on RP+5 will be held by Halifax Regional Council commencing on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Halifax Regional Council Chambers at City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS. All written and oral presentations will be considered at that time. Written submissions may be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk by mail, P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5; by fax, 490-4208; or by e-mail, clerks@halifax.ca. Written submissions should be received by the Municipal Clerk’s office as early as possible, but not later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. For a summary of the proposed changes to the Regional Plan, see Notice. The OurHRM Alliance supports the revisions to the Regional Plan – please show support by writing a letter &/or attending &/or speaking at the Public Hearing. UPDATE from OurHRM Alliance: “After over two years of hard work, the revised Regional Plan has passed almost unanimously at council.” !!!!!!!!!! June 26th – view Chronicle Herald Report

Received from Sackville Rivers Association: Some great news – HRM is restarting the sampling program. It came out earlier this week. In total there are 43 sample stations, sampled 3 x per year for three years, with a possible one year extension, depending on budget. Good times! View RFP

At event at the Maritime Museum will highlight How Research Makes a Difference for People and the Environment on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. &pm reception, 7:30 Main Event. View Poster

Betty Hodgson, well known to HFNers, is featured in a Chronicle Herald story about volunteer efforts to remove the highly invasive glossy buckthorn from the Pugwash Estuary Nature Reserve. “It doesn’t directly threaten the estuary or the wildlife in it,” volunteer Betty Hodges [mispelling of Hodgson] explained as she trudged towards a grove of the unwanted trees with a crew of students, foresters, and conservationists. “But it does threaten the native plants that stabilize the land around the estuary. If they are gone, it could cause erosion and runoff that would threaten the fish and birds. It threatens the total ecology of the area.”

Just one year to go! Launched in 2010, the Maritimes Butterfly Atlas (MBA) is a five-year citizen-science project which documents the occurrence of butterflies in the Maritime provinces. John Klymko, the Atlas director, will discuss the highlights of the project as it enters its fifth and final field season, and will provide a briefing on how you too can contribute to this conservation effort. 7:30 p.m. at the NSMNH. Read more

Please plan to attend the HRM Public Meeting on Thursday June 5, to review the design of a new permanent building on the North Common. This permanent building is another major encroachment on the remaining ~ 30 acres of the 1763 land grand of 240 acres “to the inhabitants of the town of Halifax as Common forever”. Read more

Damon Conrad, Coordinator of the Sackville Rivers Association (SRA), will host a 3-km walk along the Bedford-Sackville Connector Greenway and the beautiful Sackville River. Read more