Thurs July 5 at 7 pm: SRA Trails Presentation

Posted on July 4, 2018 by admin

Walter Regan talks about the Bedford Sackville
Greenway Connector in 2009

From the Sackville Rivers Association:

Join us at 7pm Thursday, July 5th, for an overview of the SRA involvement with trails from the start to now. David Waugh will lead us through the 25 years of work on the Fort Sackville, Bedford Sackville Connector Greenway and the Sackville Greenway and honour those involved in establishing these trails.
Then our Guest Speaker, Dawn Neil, of the HRM Active Transportation group will present an HRM perspective on trails with a focus on the north-western portion of HRM. Dawn has extensive experience on trails and liaison work with close to 2 dozen trail groups in HRM. She brings a practical, down-to-earth perspective on building and maintaining trails – a ‘lets get ‘ err done’ approach.

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Getting to know Sandy Lake & Environs

Posted on July 2, 2018 by admin

Bedford Lions Sandy Lake Park was described in 2013 as an “unknown gem” even to many who live in Bedford.

Perhaps the beach area is getting better known, but there’s lots more to explore.

It’s hard to find maps, but not trails and most are quite easy to walk, many to bike.

I have assembled what I have learned about locations of trails and access points through my own excursions and from others (as reported on websites) and posted it at Recreation > Access & Trails.

So why not check some of them out?

The forests are cool and refreshing on hot days, the power lines make for especially nice walks in the fall. I think it is hard to get lost, but I suggest taking a compass and/or smart phone with land maps (a hand compass is always advisable). Also lots of water and a snack; a phone is always advisable in case of an accident or other health issues.

Prepare to get addicted to exploring new areas as I did a year ago. After approx. thirty excursions I still have new places to explore!

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Pamphlet promotes formation of Sandy Lake Regional Park for Halifax

Posted on June 27, 2018 by admin

Click on image above to view a low-res
web version of the pamphlet

The organizing committee for the Sandy Lake Regional Park Coalition has produced a colourful, fact-filled, four page pamphlet promoting formation of a Sandy Lake Regional Park for Halifax.

The pamphlet outlines the history of the proposal for a Sandy Lake Regional Park, cites reasons why such a park remains highly appropriate, and lists the current members of the Sandy Lake Regional Park Coalition. Some beautiful colour photos speak many additional words.

View a low-res web version here.

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Halifax Green Network Plan released June 21, 2018 looking good

Posted on June 25, 2018 by admin

The Final Draft of the The Halifax Green Network Plan, under development for several years,  was released on June 21, 2018.

The Halifax Green Network Plan (HGNP) was initiated in 2015 shortly after the adoption of the 2014 Regional Municipality Planning Strategy (Regional Plan). The 2014 Regional Plan directs the creation of the priorities plan to: “…protect and preserve connectivity between natural areas and open space lands, to enable their integration into sustainable community design, to help define communities, to benefit the Municipality’s economy and the physical health of its people, and to reflect and support the overall purposes of this Plan.”- from Item No. 15.1 Community Planning & Economic Development Standing Committee June 21, 2018 

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Searching for old beech amidst a magnificent drumlin forest on the Jack Lake lands

Posted on June 17, 2018 by admin

Every excursion I make into the Sandy Lake/Jack Lake lands (“Sandy Lake & Environs”)  seems to offer a new gem. An excursion on June 1 was no exception.

I had been intending to check out a drumlin northeast of Jack Lake and was stimulated to do so sooner rather than later by a conversation with a naturalist who frequented the area in his youth, about 35 years ago. He  told me  there were some big disease-free beech on that drumlin in those years.

Click on photos for larger versions

So on June 1st, DS, my frequent walk companion,  and I took a walk up the “sand pit road” and just headed  towards the hardwoods we could see in the distance. We followed wide and narrow paths maintained by ATVs and/or mountain bikes (neither present at the time). It was easy walking.

We passed through early successional hardwood forest with lots of big toothed aspen, white birch, ash and red maple and pretty quickly into older, mixed forest  as we climbed upward. The loud songs of ovenbirds told us we had passed from forest edge to forest interior.
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Happy 30th, Sackville Rivers Association

Posted on June 8, 2018 by admin


Click on photo for larger version

It was a wonderful celebration. A few audio files convey some of the sense of it:

Listen to Walter Regan’s comments on SRA’s 30th (audio)
Walter highlights the contributions of so many.

Hear Damon on ongoing and future activities

Sing along with Our River our Home (& hear closing words)

The Atlantic Salmon Journal summer 2018 issue features an article In Praise of Perseverance, A community reclaims its river which describes highlights of SRA’s accomplishments over the last 30 years.

Thanks being 30 years ahead of your time, Sackville Rivers Association!

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Thurs June 7, 2018: Sackville Rivers 30th Anniversary

Posted on May 30, 2018 by admin

A042_Praesentation_Carbonsinks.pdf

From Sackville Rivers Association:
“Just a reminder of our upcoming Annual General Meeting and our 30th Anniversary Party, both coming up on June 7th at the Sackville Heights Community Center – 45 Connolly Road, Middle Sackville.

“AGM – 6pm in the 50+ room – must be a member to vote for directors and for SRA chairman (we will be taking membership payments at the door)

“30th anniversary party – 7pm in the gym – the evening will include a few words from collaborators, an art project to create an Atlantic salmon mosaic, and a sharing of history and anecdotes. You will have the opportunity to visit displays and learn more about our work on the river, in the schools and on the trails. And don’t forget the 30th Anniversary cake cutting! Coffee, tea and water will be provided.”

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Springtime in the woods by Sandy Lake

Posted on May 25, 2018 by admin


Glorious, simply glorious
Click on image for a larger version

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Earth Day at Sandy Lake

Posted on April 26, 2018 by admin

I was not able to lead an Earth Day nature walk as had been planned to take place at Sandy Lake on April 22, but Bob Guscott kindly took my place. Bob and I had collaborated on some observations on pit and mound topography at Sandy Lake and by Grand Lake last fall, so he was familiar with the territory. Karen Robinson reports on the event below. I am only sorry that I could not have attended as a small bird to share in the experience! – David P

Eager learners
Click on images for larger versions

Bob Guscott led an enthusiastic group of about 40 on a forest walk at Sandy Lake on April 22nd, 2018. The event, organized by the Sandy Lake Conservation Association (www.sandylake.org), had three purposes: to celebrate Earth Day, to recognize the city’s work to create a Green Network, and to launch the Sandy Lake Regional Park Coalition.

Bob is a keen naturalist and forest ecologist who retired from the NS Dept. of Natural Resources after 30 years as a Chief Technician and Forest Health Specialist.
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Sandy Lake Conservation Association’s Earth Day Event – April 22, 2018

Posted on April 20, 2018 by admin

David P (left) and Bob G ponder pit and mound topgraphy

Starting at 1:30 pm at the inner parking lot of the Bedford Lions Club Beach at the end of Smith’s Road, off the 102 at Hammonds Plains Road.

Bob Guscott is leading a forest walk around a portion of Sandy Lake. It is expected to last 1.5 hours minimum. It will be an informative walk (not a hike).
Karen Robinson of the Sandy Lake Conservation Association will talk about the efforts being made to protect Sandy Lake and Environs, and Jenny Lugar from Our HRM Alliance will talk about how Sandy lake and Environs relate to Halifax’s developing Green Network.

Bob is a naturalist and forest ecologist who retired in 2009 from the NS Dept. of Natural Resources after 30 years as a Chief Technician and Forest Health Specialist. Bob and David P are collaborating on studies of pit and mound topography at sites on Sandy Lake and Grand Lake.

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