Wild Flora and Habitat in Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society is dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of wild flora and habitat, especially in Nova Scotia. A non-profit organization and an affiliate of the North American Native Plant Society, the society welcomes all people who are interested in native flora. Members meet regularly on a social basis to host speakers, plan recreational field trips, and organize other events.
This web site serves to create awareness about the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society, and to be a source of information for topics of interest to all wildflower enthusiasts.
Please read the President's Welcome.
Issues, Events, Workshops
Upcoming NSWFS Events: See Programme
New field guide to mosses
May 12, 2013: 'Just picked up at Bookmark on Spring Garden Road: Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians by Karl McKnight et al. (2013), "the first book to help general readers recognize 200 common mosses of the Northeast and the Appalachian Mountains". Read morehttp://press.princeton.edu/titles/9971.html
Province releases Our Parks and Protected Areas: A Proposed Plan for Nova Scotia
Feb 28, 2013: "This plan advances Nova ScotiaÕs efforts to protect and conserve the natural landscape, potentially adding 221 properties and more than 245 000 hectares (ha) - a combined landmass equal to nearly one-quarter the size of Cape Breton Island. And it proposes to protect more than 13 per cent of our provinceÕs outstanding lands. This plan will be the basis of our final consultation with Nova Scotians in 2013. Before any lands are finalized, we want to hear from you. " Read moreTues. Nov. 13th: Public Consultation for McIntosh Run Trail
Nov. 6, 2012: The upper part of the MacIntosh Run begins at the outflow from Long Lake and goes through residential neighbourhoods. The lower part goes through the backlands and flows into the sea at Herring Cove.
The McIntosh Run Watershed Association has built an active transportation trail alongside the upper part of the run. They envisage extending the trail the entire length of the run, including a wilderness trail which would be "a rugged trail across the backlands to Herring Cove; the trail will be varied, in some places climbing along bedrock ridges, and in other places hugging the river's edge." Show support by attending this public consultation session, Captain William Spry Community Centre, 6:30 -0 8:30 pm. See McIntosh Run Watershed Association
Williams Lake/Purcell's Backlands:Important meeting on Oct 29th
Oct. 23, 2012: The Williams Lake Conservation Company urges residents of and visitors to the Williams Lake/Purcell/s Backlands area to participate in discussions that will affect the future of this area: Monday October 29, 2012, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Captain William Spry Community Centre, Multi-purpose Room 16 Sussex St., Spryfield. See Announcement
Witch-hazel still in flowerOct. 22, 2012: Artilcle by a NS Wild Flora member in The Nova Scotian (insert in Chronicle Herald, Sunday ed) highlights our fall-blooming witch-hazel and the curious disjunct distribution of related species.
See Article & Species Page
NS Nature Trust Facebook Photo album
Sep. 20, 2012: On Friday August 10, 2010 the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society and the Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador toured the Nature Trust's Jack and Darlene Stone Conservation Lands. Nature Trust staff person Cristi had a blast leading this group to see the unique and rare species of the property. Here's a glimpse from the day!
Tuesday, July 17th: Buy Back the Mersey RallyJuly 11, 2011: A Rally/Information Session to address options for the Bowater-Mersey Lands will be held at 7 p.m. at the Hubley Community Hall, 4408 St. Margaret's Bay Road. There is lot's at stake for forestry, recreation, conservation - please attend! Read more
Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria) at Conrad Beach.July 3, 2012: It's still there! We checked it out on our "summer evening meeting" on July 25th. Sincere apologies from the Programme Committee to those who arrived early & missed out because of an error in the schedule. See Moonwort
Students create Flora of NS page on Project NoahJune 30, 2012: Students in a Dal summer class on the Flora of NS created a "mission" on Project Noah for The Flora of Nova Scotia. Anyone can sign up and contribute photos/GIS info. See Project Noah: The Flora of Nova Scotia.
New Field Guide: Trees & Shrubs of the MaritimesJune 29, 2012: This popular use guide by Todd Boland is published by Boulder Publications (Newfoundland). It covers 240 native and introduced species, grouped by habitat. The book is illustrated with color photographs and is flexibound with a water resistant cover, making it suitable for field use.
Deborah Wiles' Wild Flowers of Nova Scotia
June 14, 2012: Artist Deborah Wiles has created a series of 50 paintings featuring Nova Scotia's wild flowers to raise funds for a modest International Artists' Retreat that she is building at a rural Nova Scotia site. The Wildflowers of Nova Scotia Benefit show and sale is happening on June16th, 2012 from 3-9pm @ 69 Olive Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. They can also be purchased online. See
Beaked Hazelnut, Jack in the Pulpit, Painted Trillium and many more beautiful paintings on her website.
N.S. Wetland Courses
March 10, 2012: The Fern Hill Institute for Plant Conservation in assocation with the
K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre is offering four practical 3-4 day wetland courses in 2012. Details
See News for all news posts.
Recent Additions
- Lonicera villosa (mountain fly-honeysuckle)
- Lonicera canadensis (American fly-honeysuckle)
- Cardamine diphylla (toothwort)
- Fraxinus nigra (black ash)
- Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana (Virginia strawberry)
- Pyrola americana (American wintergreen)
Now and in the FutureBy knowing our wildflowers we can better preserve them for ourselves and for the future. Wildflowers are often abundant, but they are not indestructible - many of our loveliest ones are in danger of extinction by our carelessness. This need not happen if we observe the following rules of courtesy:
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The text above is an excerpt from a book published in 1914. Even then, naturalists were concerned for the conservation of the wild flora! Source: Berniece Anderson & Arthur H Holmgren. 1914. Mountain Plants of Northeastern Utah. Logan: Utah State University. A revised edition is available online.