Category Archives: Natural History

The Rhodora

Posted on May 30, 2017 by admin

On Being Asked, Whence Is the Flower? In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes, I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods, Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook, To please the desert and the sluggish brook. The purple … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian Forest, Biophilia, Conservation, Natural History | Leave a comment

Do economic woes lead to conservative forest use in Nova Scotia?

Posted on May 1, 2017 by admin

I recently re-visited a remnant woodland on gypsum karst near Avondale, an area slated in 2008 for expansion of the Miller’s Creek (Fundy Gypsum) mine. The expansion was approved by Nova Scotia Environment in February 2010. Then the downturn in … Continue reading →

Posted in Acadian Forest, Biophilia, clearcuts, Conservation, Economics, Natural History, Private Woodlots, Pulp & Paper | Leave a comment

NSDNR publishes A Field Guide to Forest Biodiversity Stewardship

Posted on April 19, 2017 by admin

From the NSDNR news Release (Apr 19, 2017): A new hands-on guidebook is available that describes how Nova Scotians can help keep the province’s woodlands healthy. “Three-quarters of our province is forest and preserving that rich biodiversity is a responsibility … Continue reading →

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Loons are back

Posted on April 11, 2017 by admin

In this fragile new world, I am always encouraged when elements of the seasons that I grew up with are repeated. Amongst them, the call of the common loon is certainly foremost. People love loons. Their haunting voice and striking … Continue reading →

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Nova Scotia protects significant older forest stands and an important corridor

Posted on April 4, 2017 by admin

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

Celebrating spring in the Acadian Forest in Nova Scotia

Posted on April 2, 2017 by admin

Three short videos celebrate spring in our forests and offer some interesting insights. Treasures Of The Old Forest Produced in 2005 by Avalon & Meguma Natural History Films. “Precious as jewels, fleeting as snow-flakes, yet ancient as the forest itself, … Continue reading →

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Nova Scotia forests & forestry: birds, mosses and biophilia

Posted on March 29, 2017 by admin

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

The way of Nova Scotia forests

Posted on March 16, 2017 by admin

In The way things used to be (CH Mar 14, 2017), Zak Metcalfe writes of how his interview with forest ecologist Donna Crossland gave him a glimpse of our pre-Columbian forest and how that changed quickly following European settlement. Before … Continue reading →

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Nova Scotia’s Clearcut Refugees

Posted on March 12, 2017 by admin

“A strong argument for the inhumanity of clear cutting is that we put at risk all animals that are forced into refugee status.” – Soren Bondrup-Nielsen In a recent post on the NatureNS listserv (a birds and natural history discussion … Continue reading →

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Monday Feb. 27, 2017: The Forested Wetlands Project

Posted on February 15, 2017 by admin

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