Aug 26, 2018: Lichens at Sugar Moon Farm

Posted on August 25, 2018 by admin

August 26, 2018 2:45pm to 6:30pm Nature Night at Sugar Moon Farm!

Learn about lichen and the forests that surround us.

You must book ahead.

“There is so much more to Lichen than meets the eye! Join Lichenologist Robert Cameron* for a fascinating interpretive hike at Sugar Moon. We’ll learn about how to collect and identify lichen, the role lichen plays in the ecosystem and the rich diversity of lichen in this region that makes it a “hot spot” in North America.”

Thx to Norris W for forwarding this info.

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Dalhousie Biology Dept herbarium beng digitized

Posted on August 14, 2018 by admin

ML Fernald (Wikipedia)
Some of Fernald’s collections are in the Dal Biology Herbarium now being digitized.

View A CENTURY OF SPECIMENS by Stefanie Wilson in Dal News for Aug 7, 2018. Some extracts:

The Herbarium Digitization Project is a collaboration between the Department of Biology and the University Archives. A four-step process, the digitization involves verification, cataloguing, recording included information and then photographing each specimen.

To take these physical records and turn them into digital files is a big job — one that’s perfectly suited to a Biology graduate who has developed a keen interest in plants.

“I originally wanted to go to Medical School, like a lot of starting Science majors,” Nick [Belliveau] admits, “but I ended up really falling in love with the flora of Nova Scotia and Botany and that part of the Biology program.”
Continue reading →

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Tues Aug 14, 2018: Rally to support the Green Network Plan

Posted on August 11, 2018 by admin

Our HRM Alliance Photo

From OUR HRM Alliance:

“Join us on Tuesday, August 14th at 9:00 (ish) to show your support for the Halifax Green Network Plan!

“The Green Network Plan will FINALLY be going to Council that day at 10:00AM. We want to be there with signs, smiles, and support to ask the 16 Councillors to vote YES to pass this incredible plan. The Councillors typically begin arriving around 9:00, so pop by while you can during that hour, or come and stay the whole time!

“We’ll be having a sign-making party the night before at Ecology Action Centre. Either make your own sign, or borrow one of ours for the day!

“There will also be a crew of people attending the Council meeting to watch the presentation and debate and show our support. Feel free to join for this as well, if you’re interested. Want some more info about the Green Network Plan? Check out http://ourhrmalliance.ca/halifax-green-network/”

View Facebook Event Page

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Field Trips at the Celebration of Nature 2018

Posted on July 31, 2018 by admin

bloodrootReports on the field trips are posted on NatureNS, inlcuding that of the Spring Ephemerals led by John Brownlie and Gillian Allan.

View NatureNS 2018 Field Trips

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Exploring Cape Breton July 21-30

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Bob Kennedy

Bob Kennedy and Jeff White are mounting a trip to explore Cape Breton flora from July 21-July 30. It includes the Baleine area, Aspy Bay and Meat Cove at the extreme North-West tip. We will be looking for arctic species and other plants of interest that are unique  or more common on Cape Breton than elsewhere. If anyone is interested in meeting up with us for part or all of the trip, contact me at bob@grimsey.ca

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Yellow Lady’s Slipper in Bloom

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Bob Kennedy

This weekend is perfect timing to see the Yellow Lady’s Slippers Orchids by Meadow Pond near Windsor. Also starting to bloom in the gypsum scree is Balsam Ragwort.

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Albert Mines, NB

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Bob Kennedy
I just got back from the gypsum talus slopes outside Albert Mines NB and had a pretty good day of finding new things. The particular draw for me was the only population of Dryas integrifolia in the Maritimes outside of Newfoundland. You can see some photos at  http://inaturalist.ca/observations/13001961.
It was tricky lugging the tripod up the unstable slopes (many blackflies) without damaging anything (I think I only displaced a bit of moss).
I think I also saw myrtle leaved willow (known at that site) and am pretty sure I saw the only Anemone parviflora in a fairly large population blooming. Probably more in a couple of weeks. There was also Shepardia, Mitella and Erigeron hyssopifolius. There is supposed to be a small population of Solidago multiradiata, but I wouldn’t know how to identify it so early. All the other photos are at http://inaturalist.ca/observations/bobkennedy
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Nova Scotia Native Flora in Art at Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens May 18 – June 1, 2018

Posted on May 10, 2018 by admin


Opening: May 18, 2018 10 am – 4 pm in foyer of the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens and K.C.Irving Environmental Sciences Centre, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Show continues until June 1, 2018. Free Admission

Art of the Plant Regional Show is part of the Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibition.

View Poster

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Nature NS weekend coming up, register today!

Posted on May 1, 2018 by admin

spring ephemeralNatureNS, the Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists is holding its annual spring weekend this year in Debert. It includes talks and walks and a celebratory dinner. View details at www.naturens.ca/. Registration is open until May 3, but you have to mail in a cheque to be registered, so you should do that today if not already signed up.

One of the field trips scheduled is Spring Ephemerals at a site on the Wallace River; That’s on Sunday afternoon, May 27. John Brownlie will lead the walk for NSWFS

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April 12, 2018: Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Regional Park Citizen’s Meeting

Posted on April 7, 2018 by admin

“All are invited to a public meeting on April 12th for updates and information on park progress. We will also explore interest in forming a citizen’s group, such as a “Friends of Blue Mountain” group, to speak up for creation of the promised park and collaborate with the municipality and other levels of government.
Please come to St. Peter’s Anglican Church Hall from 7-9pm on Thursday, April 12th.
There will be a formal presentation at 7:15, and opportunity for questions and public comments at 8pm.”
Read More

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