We invite you to join us for the premiere of our new documentary, Connections: The Story of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network.
In Fall 2021, our team set out on a mission to document NSEN's rich 30-year history as an interconnecting body for Nova Scotia's environmental non-profit community.
Over the past year we have produced a 1-hour documentary consisting of interview footage with ten local environmental leaders who have helped shape NSEN since its founding in 1991. Together we explore the past, present, and future of environmental networking in Nova Scotia in hopes of educating the public and inspiring broader participation in the movement during these critical times.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the late Meinhard Doelle (1964-2022) for his many years of environmental leadership, for his role in building NSEN in the 1990s, and for his contributions to this film project.
This job provides a unique opportunity to observe and understand the big picture of how environmental work is carried out over an entire region, from small-scale grassroots projects to large-scale government-funded projects. The employee will also be encouraged to think critically about how seemingly independent projects and campaigns can complement each other through NSEN’s networking channels for enhanced collective outcomes. In this way, the employee will have opportunities to make tangible impacts on environmental work in Nova Scotia.
This opportunity is conditional on pending application for internship funding.
We launched theNSEN Volunteer Hubin 2021. Our goal is to see this tool become a powerful one-stop-shop that benefits environmental initiatives in every corner of the province. Your participation can help make that happen!
All NSEN member organizations can post their volunteer positions on the Volunteer Hub, where our network of volunteers can view and apply for opportunities that fit their interests.
N.S. government says no to golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park
The owners of the Cabot golf courses on Cape Breton Island will not get access to part of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park for another development.
In an interview on Thursday, Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said officials from his department informed the company last week that even if it submitted a formal request, the government would not consider it.
"It was determined over the last few weeks that there's actually no pathway or mechanism in the Provincial Parks Act to allow a golf course to be developed within a park," said Rushton.
Hiking trails around Nova Scotia in need of a refresh, group says
CBC anchor Amy Smith assesses the damage left behind by storms, vandalism and additional wear and tear at the Mainland Common Loop Trail in Halifax with Janet Barlow of Hike Nova Scotia.
Former consultant to wind industry warns of turbine project's toll on migrant birds in N.S.
Environmental researcher John Kearney says the whirring blades of a proposed 13-turbine wind farm in Nova Scotia may cut greenhouse gases, but the risks they pose to migrating birds are too high.
The 74-year-old former consultant to the wind industry has in recent years set up acoustic monitoring in southwestern Nova Scotia, documenting species ranging from black-capped chickadees to spotted sandpipers as they call out during autumn flights.
"I'm speaking from the perspective of a person who supports both the objectives of wind power and preserving biodiversity, and here they come in conflict," he said in a recent interview, shortly after submitting written submissions to the province objecting to the proposed project on a peninsula west of Yarmouth, N.S.
Celebrating the planet: Earth Day marked with parade along Halifax Waterfront
Dozens of local groups in Halifax gathered for the first People's Parade for Life on Earth on Saturday. The event, held on Earth Day, was intended to bring different communities together in a joyful celebration of the planet.
Why this Halifax citizen group wants to protect the backlands from development
A citizen group is making it their mission to protect some backlands outside of Halifax — before it's considered for development.
The Backlands Coalition made a presentation to a Halifax Regional Municipality committee on Thursday, in hopes of protecting the wilderness area between Purcells Cove and Herring Cove Road in Spryfield, N.S.
With development already happening nearby and Halifax's population rapidly growing, the group is raising the question of how to balance the need for green space with the need for more housing.
2022 was one of the warmest on record for the Maritimes and the planet, says global report
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its state of the climate report Friday, which confirms that 2022 was the fifth or sixth warmest globally.
The WMO report also stated that the years 2015 to 2022 were the eight warmest reported in data stretching back to 1850. It blames excessive levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases for the "planetary scale changes on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere."
Here in the Maritimes, the trend is a similar one.
Last year was one of the warmest years on record in the Maritimes, marking the third consecutive year that temperatures in the region have ranked either in the top five or top 10.
Hike Nova Scotia’s tenth annual Hiking Summit happens June 2 to 4 in Antigonish. A celebration of hiking culture, it includes workshops, hiking stories, networking and hikes.
Hike NS's series of trail maintenance workshops is meant to support hiking trail managers, especially in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Fiona. Priority will be given to community trail groups but First Nations, municipalities and others are welcome.
Join The Ecology Action Centre for Membership May, a month-long celebration of the EAC community!
Exciting news! For the month of May, the EAC is celebrating their community – the collective voice of thousands of individuals who believe that Nova Scotians and their families deserve a fair and vibrant future; one of respect, belonging and resilience.
They’ll be hosting a series of events with partners throughout the province to celebrate their supporters and help Nova Scotians connect with their work and the broader community. There will be a launch party at Good Robot in Halifax, a guided hike of Sandy Lake, a kelp products and farming info session in Lunenburg, and so much more!
The Cape Breton Environmental Association is hosting a litter clean-up in Whitney Pier! The gathering point will be located at the top of Catherine Street. Everything you need will be provided.
Back to the Sea Society is currently running a crowdfunding campaign to raise money in support of us moving to our brand new location, the Back to the Sea Centre! Please consider making a tax deductible donation in support of our ocean education initiatives, or sharing with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Transition Bay St. Margarets is hosting an educational gardening event on May 13th from 10-11:30 AM.
Each year, Transition Bay volunteers grow about 500 pounds of vegetables from these four raised beds for the St Margarets Bay Food Bank. They greatly appreciate this fresh produce.
The Crossroads Garden is also intended to inspire everyone about the benefits of starting or expanding a home vegetable garden. This is becoming very important in this era of rapidly increasing food costs.
Join them at St Margarets Bay Crossroads, 5209 St Margarets Bay Rd, Tantallonand meet the volunteers, learn new gardening skills and pick up some seeds from the Seed Library.
Help us tell the federal government to deliver a strong Emissions Cap on oil and gas sector emissions
The federal government is currently drafting regulations for a cap on oil and gas sector emissions. The oil and gas industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector in Canada—and they’re lobbying the federal government to keep it that way.
Without stronger regulations, the oil and gas industry simply isn’t going to forego its massive profits. This is what makes a strong Emissions Cap so important.
Make sure your MP knows that you’re counting on them to stand up to the oil and gas lobby and to deliver a strong cap on emissions.
Please write to help protect Sandy Lake Regional Park.
"Thank you to all who have written to support Sandy Lake so far!
If you haven’t written yet, please do write to help us protect Sandy Lake Regional Park from a housing development.
Sacrificing an outstanding ecosystem like Sandy Lake Regional Park to solve the housing crisis is not reasonable and not necessary. There are better places to put housing.
The Sandy Lake-Sackville River’s Coalition Steering Committee asks that you write to your MLA, Housing Minister John Lohr, and the Premier, and copy your city councillor and Mayor Savage. Request that the Sandy Lake area be removed from the Provincial Housing Task Force's Special Planning Area list. Request that they expand the park to 2,800 acres to service citizens needs, to support the wildlife that already calls the area home, and address Climate Change and Biodiversity losses.
We're calling on the government to ensure that West Mabou Beach Provincial Park remains protected as intended and to strengthen the Provincial Parks Act so special places like this are protected in perpetuity.
Every Wednesday we share a Nova Scotia Nature Photo on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Have you taken photos of beautiful places around the province? Share them with us for a chance to be featured on our page!
This photo was captured at Cherry Hill Beach on the south shore of Nova Scotia by Jaiden McIsaac.
Green Job Opportunities
Green Schools Nova Scotia: Engagement Officer
Thinkwell Shift (“Shift”) is looking for an Engagement Officer located in the Halifax region who enjoys working with youth and forging relationships. The successful candidate will report to the Program Coordinator and work well both independently and as part of a team to empower the youth of Nova Scotia to make small changes and improved choices around their energy use at home, school, and within their community. Travel is required for this position.
Deadline: Position will remain open until hiring is complete.
We are looking for a highly capable Operational Manager to manage, maintain, and expand the FAIME’s database. You will be responsible for the active growth of our database through networking, fundraising, and promotional activities. To ensure success, you should possess a high level of comfort in communicating with both affected communities and the scientists and practitioners available to support them. Knowledge, experience, and comfort in working with data management software is a key asset.
The FAIME Operational Manager is supported by technical consultants and works with the FAIME Management Committee members. It reports to FAIME’s host organization, MiningWatch Canada, also a member of the FAIME Management Committee.
Deadline: May 1st (position will remain open until hiring is complete)
The Starfish Canada: Editor-in-Chief for Youth Environmental Journal
The Starfish Canada is looking for a creative and passionate individual with editing chops to take their award-winning editorial program to the next level while leading SEO for their growing charity. The Editor-In-Chief will work collaboratively with their Marketing and Editorial teams, leading the strategic development, planning and execution of how they show up with impactful content through various channels of content and engagement.
CLIMAtlantic: Climate Change Adaptation Research Support Officer
Do you want to learn more about the impacts of climate change in Atlantic Canada and what is being done to deal with them? The Climate Change Adaptation Research Support Officer will support the CLIMAtlantic team by researching, reading and analyzing climate adaptation reports, and more as needed. They will also help create material from reports for use by various audiences including but not limited to municipalities, NGOs, governments, and homeowners.
Wildlife Conservation Society: Communities and Conservation Research Associate
The Communities and Conservation Research Associate will support effective and meaningful conservation outcomes through the development of research, tools, and strategies that foster respectful relationships and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and advance Indigenous-led conservation in WCS Canada programs across Canada.
Clean Annapolis River Project: Water Quality Project Leader
This position will involve the delivery of CARP’s Natural Infrastructure for Stormwater Management project. Additionally, this position will assist in implementing two water quality monitoring projects including (1) Protecting Coastal Wetlands in Nova Scotia through stewardship and collaboration, and (2) River Guardians.
Abundant Acres Farm is recruiting people to join their team who are passionate about growing good food, and are moving towards a career in farming. This is potentially a long-term, multi-year position. Employees will have the opportunity to step into higher levels of responsibility as they learn new skills.
Divert NS: Champion of the Environment Scholarship
Divert NS is offering up to $20,000 in scholarships to Nova Scotia Grade 12 students with a keen interest in the environment. Eight (8) $2,500 scholarships are available for 2023:
Seven (7) regional scholarships are available based on the solid waste regions.
New for 2023: A $2,500 French language scholarship is being offered.
The deadline to apply is April 30th. For full application details and scholarship information, click here.
The ImpAct-Climate Challenge is here. Will you accept? Share actions, ideas, and projects that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your campus. As a student, faculty, staff – or anyone else – on a campus of a Colleges and Institutes Canada member institution, your ideas could win a $500 cash prize, a $3,000 climate-action bursary, and national recognition for your college or institute! Deadline: May 31.
CLIMAtlantic Conference: Advancing Adaptation Action in Atlantic Canada
On May 24th from 9am-5pm AST, CLIMAtlantic is holding a one-day, hybrid conference will showcase implemented adaptation work from across Atlantic Canada, novel approaches to adaptation, examples of how people have overcome barriers and obstacles, approaches to broaden the conversation, and recent and on-going work to include nature in adaptation work.
Organizers ask that you please fill out this google form to show your interest to attend and/or present your work.
Friends of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes: Big Backyard Speaker Event
This year, Friends of BMBCL launched a new speaker series—HRM’s Big Backyard. Over the past three months, Friends has held a free event at the Halifax Central Library. Their last event is scheduled for May 10, 6:30 pm, with the spotlight on the importance of biodiversity.
Karen McKendry, Ecology Action Centre’s Wilderness Outreach Coordinator, will highlight how healthy biodiversity helps to foster a healthy community. Titled “A Healthy Community = A Healthy BMBCL Wilderness”, Karen will discuss what biodiversity is found in BMBCL, the connection between human health and forest health, and how human dependence on biodiversity goes beyond just food, water and air.
Red Bear Healing Home Society is requesting public assistance for donations of gently used cell phones.
Empowering and enabling people who are experiencing poverty by way of providing cell phones ensures access to public services and reduces the stress of being economically disadvantaged. Living without a cellular device or phone can have a detrimental effect on an persons’ mental and physical health and make connections impossible for people who are phoneless.
Donating gently used technology is also a great way to extend the life cycle of these products and keep precious minerals from ending up in a landfill.
They kindly ask that gently used cell phones that have been unlocked and reset, be dropped off at Annapolis Valley libraries in Kingston and Middleton. Call them at (902) 448-4744 for more information or to arrange for another drop-off location.
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