Category Archives: Ecosystem Services

Nova Scotia protects significant older forest stands and an important corridor

With these latest additions, the total area protected is 12.4% of Nova Scotia’s land area. In March of 2017, Nova Scotia Parks and Protected Areas (a section of Nova Scotia Environment) designated two new Wilderness Areas and expansion of another … Continue reading

Posted in Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Natural History, Old Growth, Parks & Protected Areas, Recreation, Watersheds, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Nova Scotia forests & forestry: birds, mosses and biophilia

As well as in op-eds and letters to the editor, more voices expressing concern about the state of Nova Scotia forests or simply a love of the Acadian forest are appearing in the social media. A few that I have … Continue reading

Posted in Biophilia, clearcuts, Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Letters&Editorials, Natural History, Wildlife | Leave a comment

What’s wrong with clearcutting?

To be more specific: Whats wrong with clearcutting the Acadian Forest in Nova Scotia? Outside of Nova Scotia, apparently, “we spend 80 to 150 years growing a tree in Canada – some of the longest growth rates in the world”… … Continue reading

Posted in Acadian Forest, clearcuts, Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystem Services, NSDNR, Selection Harvest, Show Us the Science, Social Values | Leave a comment

Looking after Nova Scotia’s Crown land garden

The Minister’s analogy of sustainable forestry to sustainable production of crops in a garden overlooks the now well established principle that “sustainability” needs to embrace much more than just the annual allowable cut. Something is definitely brewing as NSDNR Minister … Continue reading

Posted in Acadian Forest, clearcuts, Conservation, Ecosystem Services, NSDNR, Parks & Protected Areas, Recreation, Social Values | Comments Off on Looking after Nova Scotia’s Crown land garden

Monday Feb. 27, 2017: The Forested Wetlands Project

A developing Forested Wetlands Project will be the topic of a presentation by Logan Gray and Sydney Bliss to Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society, 7:30 p.m. at Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax; all welcome. View Details “Forested … Continue reading

Posted in Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Natural History, Tree Harvests | Leave a comment

A sweet spot in Nova Scotia’s hardwoods

An article in the business section of the CH for Feb 2, 2017 provides some upbeat news about NS forests and forest industry for a change. Chris and Anna Hutchinson “wanted to return to Nova Scotia from Ontario and maple … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Ecosystem Services, Private Woodlots | Leave a comment

From molecules and cells to trees, forests, and tall buildings made of wood

Of all of the existing and potential uses of forest products, use of wood in construction is seemingly the most compatible with using our forests and forest products to sequester carbon and building on the natural strengths of a species … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Private Woodlots, Tree Harvests, Wood Construction | Leave a comment

Tree Marking – why not in Nova Scotia?

Minga O’Brien, interviewed by CBC Cape Breton for their Breakfast Biography series, said she realized what was so special about our wild lands when she went to Europe as an 18-year old and discovered so little of the forests and … Continue reading

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Clearcuts in a Nature Reserve

A couple of days ago a CBC post told of clearcuts near a protected area (Keji Park). Today, it’s about a clear cut in a protected area: “A landowner in Joggins, N.S. says he’s frustrated by the province’s strategy of … Continue reading

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GPI group asks How Much is Our Forest Worth?

The Genuine Progress Index (GPI) group produced The Nova ScotiaGPI Forest Accounts Volume 1: Indicators of Ecological, Economic & Social Values of Forests in Nova Scotia (2001) and a 2008 Update. Now the group is asking ‘How Much is Our … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Ecosystem Services, Social Values | Tagged | Leave a comment