Backlands Coalition

Thanks to @suzannerent.bsky.social and @halifaxexaminer.ca for this wonderful feature on #CommonNighthawks, and the research underway on this species at risk in the #HalifaxBacklands. #Nighthawks #UrbanWilderness #KeepTheBacklandsWild

An early bird becomes a night owl searching for common nighthawks on the forest's edge - Halifax Examiner Nova Scotians may be banned from the woods, but the wildlife within it still puts on a booming show.

On Wednesday, I went searching for common nighthawks at the Purcell's Cove Backlands. I joined Dal student Rebecca Florean, and Fulton Lavender and Joshua Barss Donham, who are all surveying this species at risk. #birds

www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...

A female common yellowthroat with grey feathers on her back, wings, and head, and yellow feathers on her throat and belly. She has a black eye and white and black speckles around it. She is sitting on the branch of a small evergreen tree.

A juvenile American robin with brown back and wings, a red chest, and brown head with white speckles all over it sits on the branch of a grey and dying tree in a forest.

You can't hike in the Purcell's Cove Backlands, of course, but you can still see #birds at the edge of the forest. Tonight, I saw juvenile robins and a female common yellowthroat. #NovaScotia

Travel, Activities in Woods Restricted to Prevent Wildfires

⚠️ Travel & activities in woods currently restricted in #NovaScotia news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/0...

Important notice today from the provincial government: Please stay out of the woods, effective today at 4 pm until further notice. This includes the Halifax Backlands! When the fire risk is so high, it's important to keep our treasured wilderness areas safe. Thanks for your understanding.

A Sensory Walk with Nature at the Urban Farm in Spryfield During this walk led by Trudy Sable PhD., we will pay attention to how we relate to the world through our senses, even mirroring its movements. We will explore just “being” present to our experience, tuning into the elemental qualities that make up our world —earth, water, fire, wind and space. Wednesday, August 6 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Limited attendance — please register early by emailing urbanfarmspryfield@gmail.com. Event graphic includes a photo of Dr. Trudy Sable, walking in a wilderness area.

Experience the Urban Farm of Spryfield in a wonderful new way on August 6 at 7 pm, as anthropologist/educator Trudy Sable leads a sensory walk! Limited attendance; adults only—register by emailing urbanfarmspryfield@gmail.com. More info: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=... #UrbanFarm #Spryfield #nature

BioBlitz observations help track how ecosystems change over time. Scientists rely on YOUR photos to see what’s thriving and what’s at risk. Get involved this year: brnw.ch/21wUqSm #NCCBioBlitz

Like taking nature pics? The national week-long scavenger hunt for biodiversity is for you | CBC News From backyard bird sightings to interesting plants and curious mushrooms on the hiking trail, everyday nature encounters can be recorded and photographed to be added to a national biodiversity databas...

"The BioBlitz is more than a fun outdoor activity, it's a crowdsourced scientific effort. Since it started, the event has helped document over 8,600 species, including rare and endangered ones." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Open fires banned across N.S. until Oct. 15 amid tinder-dry conditions | CBC News Nova Scotia’s hot, dry summer has prompted the provincial government to ban open fires across the province until the end of wildfire season, unless conditions improve.

Open fires banned in #NovaScotia until Oct. 15: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Award-winning artist Holly Carr shares how nature and creativity support mental wellness in our latest Art & Nature feature. Her work, grounded in science, creates safe, healing spaces inspired by the natural world.

Read the full interview: nsnt.ca/blog/the-art...

#Art #Conservation #MentalHealth

An early bird goes searching for common nighthawks - Halifax Examiner No birding adventure is without its rewards

Since Halifax regional council has a busy agenda at City Hall tomorrow, I figured I'd write a nice #bird story for Monday's Morning File.

Last night, I went looking for common nighthawks. Here's how that went.

www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...

YouTube video by HalifaxTrails.ca McIntosh Community Trail - Halifax, Nova Scotia

McIntosh Run Community Trail, #Halifax, #NovaScotia. Map, guide, photos, videos & 360° interactive virtual tour: www.halifaxtrails.ca/mcintosh-run...
youtu.be/MhYTDk042oM?...

Want to be part of the #NCCBioBlitz? It’s simple:
🔍 Find a plant, animal or fungi
📸 Snap a photo
📲 Upload your observation
🌎 Contribute to science

Be part of something big: buff.ly/8DL6YQb

NCC is proud to partner with Climb Nova Scotia and the Musquodoboit Trailway Association to add an additional 26 hectares to the now 300-hectare Musquodoboit River Valley Nature Reserve. Thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada for supporting this project! Learn more: brnw.ch/21wU16f

Loonet hatched at Williams Lake - Williams Lake Conservation Company Loons on Williams Lake Halifax successful have been successful in hatching a chick (also called a 'loonet') in 2025.

You may have heard about the lake's newest resident: The William's Lake Loons have hatched a (very cute) chick!

Click below...

williamslakecc.org/2025/06/24/l...

Speakers share concerns about density, infrastructure, loss of nature at public hearing - Halifax Examiner What people had to say about the Halifax regional plan.

Speakers share concerns about density, infrastructure, loss of nature at public hearing
By @suzannerent.bsky.social

Visit our Instagram page (or Facebook) for a more detailed recap of highlights from the public hearing: www.instagram.com/p/DLP-2FpMcL...

A photo of a rocky area in the Halifax Backlands. The text overlay on a dark green rectangle says: "Wondering what happened at the Halifax Regional Plan public hearing?"

Wow Halifax! Thanks to all who wrote in or spoke up in support of #UrbanWilderness areas at the #HalifaxRegionalPlan public hearing last week. We continue to work toward our goal of protecting the #HalifaxBacklands for the benefit of all. Read more: backlandscoalition.ca?p=8119 #KeepTheBacklandsWild

A tree lined Halifax street with text "Public Wroks, Halifax has a new 25-year Urban Forest Management Plan"

Urban trees do more than provide shade. They clean the air, cool our streets, support biodiversity and improve public health. The Urban Forest Management Plan helps protect these essential natural assets for future generations.

Learn more: www.halifax.ca/home-propert...

Picking up after your dog isn’t just polite – it protects our parks, waterways and community health. Watch what happens when one dog owner doesn’t do their part…

Learn more about the importance of picking up after your dog at: halifax.ca/caninesforcleanwater

Two people wearing waders, long gloves standing in a wetland, inserting a tube containing hydrology equipment

Kaitlyn Kerr prepared this Facebook post on request for one of our Waverley community partners, Macdonald Sports Park, so I thought I'd also share this here too! It's about Kaity's @smuscience.bsky.social graduate research project.

www.facebook.com/mcdonaldspor...

Speakers share concerns about density, infrastructure, loss of nature at public hearing - Halifax Examiner What people had to say about the Halifax regional plan.

This story is a bit late but I rounded up some of what speakers at Thursday's public hearing about the regional plan for #Halifax had to say.

www.halifaxexaminer.ca/government/c...

Thanks for the shout-out and the conversation, Councillor Cuttell!

We hope that we can live up to the lofty journalistic standards our municipality has come to expect.

Got a story for us? Get in touch at reachout@hrmcouncilwatch.ca!

#hrmpoli #nspoli #watchersinthegallery

Halifax council passes plan to prepare city for 1 million people | CBC News Halifax councillors have passed a plan guiding growth in the region for years to come, but say there is nothing they can do about provincial housing requirements many residents called a "massive overr...

Thanks to all who spoke out to protect #UrbanWilderness yesterday. Says Jillian Ramsay of @ecologyaction.bsky.social: "We need Council to stand up for what residents are begging them to safeguard—and stand up to the province's massive overreach into our municipal affairs." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Just one of the speakers from Thursday's public hearing at Halifax Regional Council.

Our gratitude to @terriclarke.bsky.social for this helpful live summary of yesterday's public hearings at City Hall for the Halifax Regional Plan! #PublicInputMatters #UrbanWilderness

It's still chugging along ... tune in!

Special planning areas, Halifax's regional plan, and changing how we design communities - Halifax Examiner We just can't keep building out into special areas that make the city unique and that should be protected.

Special planning areas, Halifax’s regional plan, and changing how we design communities
Morning File by @suzannerent.bsky.social

Council's discussion on the Halifax Regional Plan is still ongoing ... tune in at the links below.

A photo of a dramatic sunset over the Halifax Backlands. The text overlay says "The Halifax Backlands need your help ... and it will only cost you 5 minutes. Details in the caption." Complete details are here on our website: https://backlandscoalition.ca/?p=8119

Still getting up to speed on all the sudden changes to the #HalifaxRegionalPlan? So are we, and the public hearings are June 19-20 at #Halifax City Hall! For info on issues related to the #HalifaxBacklands, visit our website: backlandscoalition.ca?p=8119 @williamslakecc.org #KeepTheBacklandsWild