Backlands Coalition

Yellow and white text as well as a graphic of a plate and the "Appetite for Action" logo overlaid on an image of food on a table at EDNA in Halifax. Text reads "save the date! join us at EDNA. March 11, 2026."

Get ready for Appetite for Action on March 11. EDNA, a cozy neighborhood bistro, shines with seasonal, locally sourced dishes that champion local farmers and eco-friendly food practices.
Join us in great food while making a positive impact!

👉 Make a reservation: ednarestaurant.com/reservations

Today is National Day of Unplugging. 🌿
It’s a reminder to step away from our screens and reconnect with the natural world around us.
How will you unplug today? 💚

Title, journalists’ names, photograph of people along a lake with mountains in the background in a park in Alberta, and first paragraphs from a CBC news article about a report on the monetary and cultural value of parks and protected natural environments

#Conservation initiatives, eg, the 30 by 30 global goal, are essential for the environmental health of the planet. In addition, those efforts provide financial benefit. Singh & Ram report on a @cpaws-snap.bsky.social study that shows #protected #areas offer “immense value” www.cbc.ca/news/science...

Mallory Jarvis wearing a bright orange ice safety suit kneeling on a lake ice surface, holding up a small zooplankton net over a hole in the ice.

View of the zooplankton net going through a hole drilled in a lake ice surface.

Microscopy photos of a tiny copepod with bright orange lipid droplets and a cute round Bosmina which has obviously been eating algae.

A close up of the water surface seen through a hole in the ice. White specks can be seen -- those are zooplankton thriving under the ice!

Last week, Dr. Jess Younker and Mallory Jarvis headed out for winter lake sampling when the ice was nice and thick. Our team were sampling for the "Project Thin Ice", a global phytoplankton research program & added our own zooplankton biomonitoring. @smuscience.bsky.social

Title, authors names, and abstract from a review paper about pathways in social networks for addressing environmental problems, e.g., biodiversity loss

It is widely recognized that transformative changes are needed to address global #biodiversity loss. In a review @judithwesterink.bsky.social et al. identified the key role of social networks & 3 pathways (collaborate, challenge, disrupt) at #science-policy-society interfaces doi.org/10.1016/j.co...

A screenshot from the article. "Why Halifax is a Top Travel Destination Halifax’s appeal lies in its combination of city life and natural beauty. Visitors can explore the historic Citadel, enjoy fresh Atlantic seafood, or embark on coastal adventures along rugged cliffs and serene beaches. The city also hosts numerous cultural festivals, offering visitors insight into Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage and vibrant community life. Nature enthusiasts can explore hiking trails, whale-watching tours, and scenic drives through highlands and coastal parks. Families, solo travellers, and couples alike will find Halifax an unforgettable destination with experiences for every interest and pace."

Let's protect our most valuable assets.

The EAC is deeply concerned about the ecological & democratic implications of restructuring the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in order to “drive economic development.”

As part of these changes, the Houston government abruptly fired seven people & eliminated the Wildlife Division at DNR.

An image of the Ingram River in the spring, with the river in the centre surrounded by bright green trees on each side. Overlaid on the image is white text in light green boxes. Text reads, "Support the proposed Ingram River Wilderness Area on March 9. HRM Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee. March 9,1-3 p.m. at City Hall (1841 Argyle St., Halifax)."

🌱 Help support the proposed Ingram River Wilderness Area!

Members of the Ingram Action Group, St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association, Nature NS and Mi'kmaq land & water protectors will be presenting at the HRM Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee on March 9 1-3 p.m. at City Hall

'Shock and awe' at DNR: Wildlife division gone, managers sacked, and restructured department geared for natural resources exploitation and extraction - Halifax Examiner Retired wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft describes the elimination of the division and today’s changes to the department as “absolutely disgusting.”

“One person who asked to note be named called the restructuring “absolutely gutting” the department and a way “to punish the scientists working on behalf of wildlife and ecosystems.”

👉 Read the full article: www.halifaxexaminer.ca/dismantling-...

#NSPoli

Graphic that is styled like a valentines day card with a red border around a white rectangle with text that reads, "what if you + met for dinner on March 11?". Under the text are two check boxes that say yes or no, with the yes box being checked.

🍽️ One night. One community. One delicious Way to Make a Difference. On March 11, celebrate love by dining out at participating restaurants and taprooms for Appetite for Action - where a portion of every bite and sip supports the EAC’s vital work.

👉 More info: ecologyaction.ca/appetite-action

Halifax Outdoor Winter Activity Guide - Ski, Skate, Snowshoe, Sled Outdoor Winter Activity Maps, Guides & Events. Outdoor Skating, Sledding Hills, Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing near Halifax, Nova Scotia.

❄️ Don’t let the winter blues keep you inside!
From snowshoeing hidden gems to trails that actually get plowed. Classic Citadel Hill runs & neighbourhood favourites; find out where the best sledding hills are with my interactive map. www.halifaxtrails.ca/blog/outdoor...
#Halifax #TakeTheRoofOffWinter

🦚 Launched in 1998 by @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social and @audubon.org (soon joined by @birdscanada.bsky.social in 2009), the observations collected by the Great Backyard Bird Count help scientists to better understand global bird populations before one of the annual migrations. #GBBC2026 #GBBC #birds

🦢 Not a skilled birder? No problem. The Merlin App will help you make identifications.🪿
🦜 Already a seasoned birder? Great—no need to sign up to anything special—all observations on your eBird account from Feb 13-19 will automatically count.🦩

Photo of an owl in a tree. Text: I see you! Have you seen me? Join the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 13-16, 2026

Photo of a bird with yellow, black, white and grey colourings, sitting on the branch of a birch tree. Text: Do you have 15 mins? Then you have time for the Great Backyard Bird Count! Feb. 13-16, 2026

If you have 15 spare minutes this long weekend, contribute to a global citizen science event—the Great Backyard Bird Count!🐦 Go to your fave outdoor space and set a timer for 15+ minutes. Identify all the birds you see or hear, using Merlin or eBird to share observations.🐦‍⬛ Learn more: birdcount.org

A snow bunting that is white with a yellow beak, roasted brown cheeks, and a back and wings of roasted brown, black, and white sits on a pile over seaweed on a beach that is partly covered with snow.

A snow bunting that is white with a yellow beak, roasted brown cheeks, and a back and wings of roasted brown, black, and white sits on a pile over seaweed on a beach that is covered with snow.

Two snow buntings with white with a yellow beak, roasted brown cheeks, and a back and wings of roasted brown, black, and white sit on a snowy beach. There are piles of seaweed in the background.

Snow buntings! #birds #NovaScotia #wildlife

Trivia night for nature! Join us at Good Robot Robie Feb 23 to support the EAC’s fight for climate & biodiversity. Fun, beer & a good cause.

👉 Reserve your spot today: eventbrite.ca/e/good-robot-goodwill-trivia-ft-ecology-action-centre-tickets-1982388363961

#GoodwillBot #HalifaxEvents

Yellow and white text as well as graphics of a plate and the "Appetite for Action" logo overlaid on an image of food served at a table at the Agricola Street Brasserie. Text reads "save the date! join us at the agricola street brasserie. March 11, 2026."

🍽️ Ready for a night of unforgettable flavors with a cause? On March 11, Agricola Street Brasserie in Halifax’s North End joins Appetite for Action, donating part of sales to the EAC! Enjoy local fare from land & sea in a cozy, historic space.

👉 More info: ecologyaction.ca/appetite-action

Parks Canada cuts could affect staff, programming in Nova Scotia Produced by King’s Journalism students

Even less funding for Nova Scotia's National Historic Sites: signalhfx.ca/parks-canada...

Good news from Nova Scotia! Thanks to the the MapleCross Foundation, the Parr Lake Nature Reserve has been expanded by 88 hectares. The now 206-hectare nature reserve is located in Kespukwitk (southwest Nova Scotia), an area with a high density of species at risk.

White text overlaid on a stylizing image of Earth from space. Text reads, "One Planet: How do we Protect it? An Interfaith Conversation with SCOCANS. Bradley Knockwood, Robbi David Ellis, Karen McKendry (Ecology Action Centre), Charles Bull (Moderator). 2705 Fern Lane, Halifax. Thursday February 12 at 7pm."

🌍 One Planet, One Future: How Do We Protect It?

On Thursday, February 12 at 7 P.M., join us at the EAC office for a powerful Conversation Panel hosted by the Spiritual Coalition on Climate Action NS (SCOCANS) & EAC's Energy & Climate Team.

RSVP by emailing chris.benjamin@ecologyaction.ca.

Halifax's Green Network Plan shows the value of spending on open spaces in a city - Halifax Examiner The community planning and economic development committee got an update on the plan on Jan. 22.

Jillian Ramsay, EAC’s Sustainable Cities Coordinator, spoke at HRM Council to protect the Climate Action Tax, vital for HalifACT & resilient infrastructure.

Municipal budget choices shape our future - write your councillor and mayor to share your views!

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

Halifax's Green Network Plan shows the value of spending on open spaces in a city - Halifax Examiner The community planning and economic development committee got an update on the plan on Jan. 22.

Halifax’s Green Network Plan shows the value of spending on open spaces in a city
By @suzannerent.bsky.social

Halifax's Green Network Plan shows the value of spending on open spaces in a city - Halifax Examiner The community planning and economic development committee got an update on the plan on Jan. 22.

I was a slowpoke on this story but there was a presentation on the #Halifax's Green Network Plan to the community planning and economic development committee on Jan. 22.

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

Illustration of homes and flowers along a shoreline, with text that reads, "Living Lakeshores: Enhancing shorelines and building community."

Curious about options for improving the health of our freshwater shorelines? Living Lakeshores focuses on restoring shorelines in municipal parks and offering free Green Shores® training.

Attend public meetings about the project and find out how to participate by visiting halifax.ca/biodiversity.

Interested in conservation efforts in Atlantic Canada? Make a positive impact for nature by joining NCC as an intern! We are looking for interns to work in the field, the office and everywhere in-between!
Apply today on our website: natureconservancy.ca/who-we-are/w...

Carney’s government is cutting hundreds of environment and science jobs. Here’s what that means for Canadians | CBC Radio Scientists and labour leaders are warning that cuts to Environment and Climate Change Canada could significantly impact the health and safety of Canadians as well as Canada's wildlife and environment.

Government, academic, industry and nonprofit scientists all have important roles. We need all of them for a thriving healthy Canada. Losing so many federal scientists is not good for our country. www.cbc.ca/radio/whaton...

An image of an Atlantic Salmon with white text overlaid that reads, "To successfully protect Nova Scotia's endangered species, we need to protect their habitats."

An image of an Atlantic Salmon with white text overlaid, text reads, "Let’s protect this vital habitat and help secure the future of one of Nova Scotia’s most iconic species. More details in caption."

🌊🐟 The proposed Ingram River Wilderness Area is a rare breeding ground for endangered Atlantic Salmon, restored after nearly a decade of work by SMBSA and partners. But threats from clearcutting and spraying put this success at risk.

📢 Ask your MLA to protect this vital habitat!

A pale blue graphic with white text on the top that reads "save the date! one night. one community. one tasty way to make a difference." below that is a sketch graphic of three people eating at a restaurant. Below that is yellow text that reads "march 11, 2026" with the logo for appetite for action at the bottom.

Because good food tastes even better with purpose.

🍽️ Save the date for Appetite for Action: Wednesday March 11! 🍽️

Sign up via the 🔗 below for updates and reminders.
👉 ecologyaction.ca/appetite-action

Suburban Plan In 2023, Halifax Regional Council launched the suburban planning process for the Suburban Area (lands where central water and sewer services are provided, located beyond Halifax Peninsula and…

🔔REMINDER: SUBURBAN PLAN KICK-OFF
⌚2pm-4pm and 5:30pm-8pm, Thurs Jan 29
Captain Spry Centre
Here’s your opportunity to share ideas on the future of Spryfield, Herring Cove and Armdale.
Can't make it? Find online surveys and activities at halifax.ca/suburbanplan

Suburban Plan The Suburban Plan is creating new policies and regulations for development in our suburban neighbourhoods to support complete, healthy and vibrant communities.

If you love Spryfield too, engage in the suburban planning process and say so! Attend one of the kick-off open house sessions on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Captain William Spry Library. Visit engagehalifax.ca/suburban-plan for more options on how you can share your thoughts. #Spryfield #SuburbanPlan 5/5