On the state of Triad Forest Management in Nova Scotia

Would “thinning areas where harvesting isn’t allowed” as advocated by Forest Nova Scotia reduce wildfire risk? 23Nov2023

Posted on November 24, 2023 by David Patriquin

Forested land in NS that burned in late May viewed on Sep 27, 2023. New growth mostly aspen and raspberry. (Photo by David P)
Click on image for larger version

Forest Nova Scotia, “the largest organization of forest interests in the province of Nova Scotia, on the East coast of Canada” says it would.

In recent blog posts, the organization also maintains that we are “worsening climate change and increasing wildfire risk by protecting too much land”.

I am not so sure, but I would like to see people more knowledgable than myself on such matters, weigh in.

Posted in Fire, Forestry in Nova Scotia, Triad | Comments Off

Nova Scotia NRR seeking Program Admin Officer 4 (Resource Forester) 17Nov2023.

Posted on November 17, 2023 by David Patriquin

Click on image to go to the advertisement on indeed,com

It’s difficult for the public to find much out about ” who does what at NRR” – the positions that exist at NRR, the overall hierarchy, and what individuals/the department accomplish and plan in a particular year. There are no comprehensive directories, no annual reports. To be fair, this statement may apply to most departments under both the current and previous governments.

One small insight as to direction the NRR is taking is given by the public advertisements to fill vacancies or new positions. That’s all we get; there are no, or rarely, any announcements about who actually fills a position, or about what they do down the line.

I did manage to find an organizational chart for Lands and Forestry in a 2018 FOIPOP document which helped for a while when I was writing NS Forest Notes, Under the new PC Government there has been a lot of reorganization, so it’s no longer helpful.

When I do see a job advert for an upper level position in the Forestry Section of NRR that seems to provide some info, I post it. I do so partly as a matter of record, but also to help advertise the position. So here are some excerpts from the latest (from indeed.com): Continue reading →

Posted in NS NRR | Comments Off

Halifax Councillor requests staff report on plan to address Hemlock Wooly Adelgid threat to Eastern Hemlock in HRM 13Nov2023

Posted on November 13, 2023 by David Patriquin

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. “Their name comes from waxy white filaments they make to protect themselves from drying out. In a heavy infestation, hemlock trees can look gray from all the “wool” on twigs and branches. They can’t fly, but are spread by wind and also hitch rides on the feet of birds, which can carry hemlock wooly adelgids for long distances. These “hemlock vampires” were first discovered in 1951 in Virginia, and by 2005 had spread to fifteen other states.
Source: Paul Hetzler, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Photo source: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Bugwood.org

——-
UPDATE Nov 16, 2023: Councillor Morse was asked to include Sandy Lake and Sackville Lake Parks in the mention of Hemlock in HRM; she agreed, the motion passed unanimously.
——-
Presence of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, aka the “Hemlock Vampires” in NS was first realized in the summer of 2017 when it was found to be in the southwestern counties Yarmouth, Digby, Shelburne Counties, and shortly thereafter in Queens and Annapolis Cos; it was found in Lunenburg Co. in 2020 (Invasive Species Council Info) HWA was spreading eastward… In August of 2023, HWA was found on a property in Bedford (Halifax Co.) – view post.

In May of this year, NS Environment and Climate Change advertised a position for a “HWA-OGF Coordinator”.

Now HRM Councillor Kathryn Morse is urging HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) to develop a plan to address the issue locally. Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, HWA, Pests & Diseases, Wabanaki Forest | Comments Off

Sunday Oct 22, 2023: Chebucto Moose Field Meeting

Posted on September 21, 2023 by David Patriquin

Details & Registration Here
Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Wabanaki Forest, Wildlife | Comments Off

Call for “Hemlock Heroes” in Nova Scotia 15Jun2023

Posted on June 16, 2023 by David Patriquin

“Hemlock Heroes are trained citizens who volunteer to help save tall, dark hemlock forest ecosystems. Becoming a Hemlock Hero enables you to participate in a great cause to conserve some of the finest old growth forests in the province [Nova Scotia].

“You will help to ensure that eastern hemlocks continue to provide the many essential ecosystem services required to sustain life and the health of many other forest species, as well preserve the extraordinary beauty of hemlocks.”

Currently scheduled training sessions are on Sat June 17, 2023 and Sat June 24, 2023.

Read more on www.medwaycommunityforest.com/

Posted in Conservation, Pests & Diseases, Wabanaki Forest | Leave a comment

Forest fires rage in Nova Scotia, Premier bans forest activities, but not those of forestry 1Jun2023

Posted on June 1, 2023 by David Patriquin

In Nova Scotia, forestry operations are not required to pause during nesting season, or even to reduce the risk of igniting a fire during the worst fire season ever.

Halifax area weather June 2 onward
Click on image for larger version

——–
UPDATE June 4, 2023: A significant rain break beginning late June 2; much better control achieved by June 4 – see NRR News Release
——–
UPDATE June 3, 2023: Liberal leader calls for a halt to all forestry activity until Nova Scotia gets rain
(CBC)
——–
UPDATE June 1, 2023: Nova Scotia wildfires put timber harvesting on hold
Bill Spurr Saltwire, June 1, 2023 “Wildfires in Nova Scotia are damaging employment at the same time they’re destroying homes…“Loggers on Crown land are permitted to work at night due to the lower temperatures and lower wind speeds, which significantly reduce the chance of uncontrolled starts and spreads of fire.”
———
UPDATE: Also view “Safety is our top priority,” unless you’re a logging company, then the profit motive is by Linda Pannozzo in the Quaking Swamp Journal, May 31, 2023
——–

Evening sun, Halifax area on May 28, 2023. Forest fires are raging in the province – See NASA

I just read a letter by Annapolis Valley naturalist Bev Wigney sent yesterday to Premier Houston and NRR Minister Tory Rushton in which she appeals to them to to “shut down forestry operations completely, with *no loopholes*”.

I had read yesterday the headline and first few lines in the news about the ban:

‘For God’s sake, stop burning’: N.S. premier bans all activity in forests, urges residents to abide by burn ban‘ (CTV Atlantic news May 31, 2023)… Premier Tim Houston has banned all activity in forests as of Tuesday, and says the wildfire damage is “extensive” and “heartbreaking.”

I felt encouraged the premier had acted so forcefully in this instance so I wondered if Bev Wigney had made a mistake – the headlines had announced that all activity in forests is banned.

She didn’t. Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Fire, Forestry in Nova Scotia | Comments Off

Nova Scotia NRR looking for “Director of Resource Stewardship” 27May2023

Posted on May 27, 2023 by David Patriquin

Evidently, it’s a fairly senior position.

Some extracts from indeed.com advert:

Screen Capture from advert on ca.indeed.com. Click on image to go to source page

Department: Natural Resources & Renewables
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion – Non Union – NSPG
Closing Date: 6/9/2023 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
Continue reading →

Posted in NS NRR | Comments Off

Nova Scotia Environment & Climate Change looking for HWA-OGF Coordinator 9May2023

Posted on May 9, 2023 by David Patriquin

Graphic on the Protected Areas page for the Margaree River Wilderness Area.
Click on image for source.

Extracts from the Advert on ca.indeed.com

Competition # : 39024
Department: Environment and Climate Change
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG
Closing Date: 5/17/2023
Salary Range: $2,074.62 – $3,215.50 Bi-Weekly Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, HWA, Pests & Diseases | Comments Off

More updates from Nova Scotia NRR including Triad info. on Harvest Plan Map Viewer 27Apr2023

Posted on April 27, 2023 by David Patriquin

Received from Forestry Maps today:

New Map Legend

The Harvest Plans Map Viewer is receiving an update to its legend that aligns with the Department’s continued work towards the implementation of Ecological Forestry on Crown lands.

The updated legend, shown below, has two (2) new prescriptions categories. The first prescription category is “Research Trial” and the second is “Final Felling”.

The “Research Trial” prescription (seen as red in the legend) applies to proposed harvest areas that will be established to support continuing forest management research objectives on Crown lands. For more information about research conducted by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, you are encouraged to read more here: Biodiversity Conservation and Forestry Technical Report Series | novascotia.ca .

Continue reading →

Posted in Ecological Forestry, Forestry in Nova Scotia, Triad | Comments Off

Some Ecological Landscape Analysis & Other Updates from Nova Scotia Natural Resources & Renewables 24Apr2023

Posted on April 24, 2023 by David Patriquin

A new interactive map – the Ecological Landscape Analysis Report Finder – conveys a lot of useful information. An updated Forest Development Stage Layer on the Provincial Landscape Viewer appeared to introduce some significant errors for a site I have been monitoring; NRR is working to address such errors.

Nina Newington passed on this info she received recently from Peter Bush (Old-Growth Forest Coordinator, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables): Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Ecological Forestry, Forestry in Nova Scotia | Comments Off