Petition against biomass for electricity

biomassA petition: “Premier Stephen McNeil: Stop destroying Nova Scotia’s forest for biomass power generation” was posted a few days ago. The petition already has the support of almost 500 people. The more support there is, the more the policy makers will listen. You can read more and, as you wish, sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/premier-stephen-mcneil-stop-destroying-nova-scotia-s-forest-for-biomass-power-generation?recruiter=110029095&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

We thank St. Margaret’s Bay resident and Bluff Trail user Helga Guderley for starting the petition.

New Murals on BLT overpass

Mural by Blackbook Collective Art and Clothing
Murals by Blackbook Collective Art and Clothing. (Photo by David P)

Bluff Trail hikers would not have missed the magnificent new murals on the highway 103 overpass as you approach the trailhead for The Bluff Trail. From the BLT newsletter Winter 2016:

“Some of you may have noticed something new on the trail ­ a beautiful new mural on the highway 103 overpass. How did this project come about? ” Continue reading “New Murals on BLT overpass”

Your Fall Foliage Contest winners

Ed. Apologies to Willard Larkin, the first and fifth place winner, whose pictures were misattributed, and now have been correctly attributed to him.

The votes are in, and the Bluff Trail Fall Foliage Contest is over! Thanks, everyone, for participating: entrants, judges, and donors alike, and especially to Tim McGee for organizing the event. The top three winners and their photos are as follows:

Nature is ... the ultimate artist, by Willard Larkin
Nature is … the ultimate artist, by Willard Larkin
Untitled, by Henry Rojo
Untitled, by Henry Rojo
Rhodora and Granite, by Mimmi Henriksen (at Cranberry Lake)
Rhodora and Granite, by Mimmi Henriksen (at Cranberry Lake)

See the Contest page for the complete list of winners, the winning photos, and the prizes they received.

Become a trail warden

The Halifax Regional Trails Association (HRTA) is holding a Training Workshop for Trail Patrol Wardens on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Lakeside Community Centre, 1942 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, Lakeside beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Work as a volunteer Trail Patrol Warden provides an opportunity to become an ambassador of goodwill while you use your local trail for your own health, wellness, and enjoyment. Wearing a brightly coloured vest takes no extra effort, and greeting other trail users is an enjoyable experience.

Wardens provide a variety of benefits to trail users. More specifically, they provide

  • an active “trail watch” program,
  • reassurance to other trail users by their visible presence,
  • a positive example of volunteerism in their community,
  • friendly conversation with other trail users,
  • information about trail etiquette, rules, laws, and safe practices,
  • information about distances, travel times, and access to amenities,
  • reports on issues on the trail that require attention,
  • communication with with enforcement officials if required,
  • excellent public relations for their sponsoring organization,
  • opportunities to recruit other volunteers,
  • assistance with event management,
  • occasional assistance with mechanical breakdowns, and
  • occasional first aid if required.

To become a trail warden, you must

  • be nominated by a member organization of HRTA,
  • be of good character,
  • be willing to spend time on your trail on a reasonably regular basis,
  • complete a training workshop, and
  • be certified.

For further information, or to put forward your name as a candidate for the December 2 workshop, please contact Tom Musial, BLT R2T Association, tom.musial@bellaliant.net.

Time for Hunter Orange

RC is Hard to mistake for a deer
‘Hard to mistake for a deer

Deer hunting season began Friday October 30th. The season always begins on the last Friday of October and goes to the first Saturday of December, inclusive, excluding Sundays Except the first two (new for 2016), i.e. Nov 1 and Nov 8. Wear hunter orange when you are out on The Bluff Trail and put an orange vest on your dog. Deer hunting is permitted on protected land and that includes the area of The Bluff Trail. Both hikers and hunters should use extra caution during this season. Other types of hunting are permitted for specific periods that extend outside of the deer season. Check in with the NS department of natural resources to see what applies to you.

Sat Oct 24: OPEN FOREST DAY IN HRM

On Saturday, October 24, the public is invited to come to the first ever Open Forest Day for a free, fun, and informative visit to a beautiful wilderness area that is located just outside the Halifax core. The target audience for the event, which has been organized by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, is anyone and everyone – young and old, landowners, new Canadians, outdoor enthusiasts, and “couch potatoes.” Read more

HRM Staff release Interim Report on the Green Network Plan

Image500This first Interim Report on the Green Network Plan will be discussed at a meeting of the COMMUNITY PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE on Thursday Oct 15 in the Council Chamber, City Hall, viewable online. The full interim report is available in sections at http://www.halifax.ca/HalifaxGreenNetwork/Themes.php. View Agenda for the Thursday meeting. View Item 8.3.2 Halifax Green Network Plan which includes highlights of the Interim Report. The full Interim Report bears close reading. There are 52 maps.