[BNS_members] May E-Newsletter from the Blomidon Naturalists Society

Tue May 3 13:45:11 CDT 2022

Updates, upcoming events and more for May! 🌼

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May 2022 Newsletter
Early blooming Colstfoot in view of Cape Blomidon. Now replaced by other spring blooms.
President's Message
Soren Bondrup-Nielsen

For two days now (April 28 and 29), I have seen over 20 Turkey Vultures in a field off Saxon street just east of Hwy 358. I found a dead raccoon in the ditch, but that cannot be the only attraction; there must be some serious carrion here for there to be so many vultures. I would only see Turkey Vultures in the early nineties if I drove towards Yarmouth. Then as the years passed, I began to see the occasional one here in the Valley; they were slowly becoming more common over time. Now to see over 20 in one spot is truly unique. I am not sure there is more carrion now – the Bald Eagles have survived on carrion for a long time here – so maybe it is just a population increase of the vultures in response to global warming. Whatever the reason, to see over 20 in one spot was amazing.

With the coming of May, a number of BNS events are taking place. It starts with the bi-annual highway clean-up on May 8th. There is the monthly meeting which will be a presentation of birds in Miners Marsh by James Churchill, we will be planning a spring field trip on May 22, and our courses of the season starts with Beginner Birdwatching on May 21 and Advanced Birdwatching on May 28.

Saving the hemlocks in Kentville is a joint initiative between the Friends of the Kentville Ravine, The Town of Kentville and the BNS. The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, a pest that eventually kills hemlocks (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=2a1b4b868c&e=b24cf58224), has slowly been making its northeast expansion in Nova Scotia and has now been detected in Kentville. We are taking a long-term solution involving a short-term intervention by injecting trees with a pesticide. At the same time, work is being done to promote biological control. Some might argue that we should let nature be. However, humans are responsible for climate change and the ensuing impacts, such as the northward migration of HWA, and thus we feel that it is incumbent on us also to find solutions. We have already raised over $11,000 towards saving the hemlocks, and we will soon be starting a CanadaHelps Campaign to raise more funds.

The FAN (Food, Arts and Nature) project, financed by the tourism recovery fund administered by ACOA, a joint initiative by the Wolfville Farmers Market (WFM), Earth Rhythms and the BNS, is in the early stages of being initiated. This is not a typical tourism initiative to bring as many tourists to the Valley as possible but instead is a new approach focusing on experiential tourism. This involves tourists, including and may indeed be dominated by Nova Scotians, connecting with the Valley landscape through hands-on experiences with local food producers of the WFM and naturalists. The role of the BNS will be to create natural history experiences and to make sure natural history, ecology and conservation perspectives are included in most of the experiences.

Finally, I would like to mention that the Board has decided to change the BNS Newsletter. When I joined the Board in 2017, there were rumblings about the Newsletter not being relevant, it costs too much, pictures were in B&W, and more. So, we are trying to come up with a solution. Last year, the decision was made only to produce three issues per year. We will continue with three issues but in two different formats. The traditional Newsletter printed by Gaspereau Press will only be made once a year. It will be a type of Archival issue, summarizing the year but still with longer articles of general interest (to be determined), being mailed out in December. The two other issues will be in a magazine format with reports of local interest with colour photos. We have a new Board member, Alan Warner, who is looking forward to being the editor of both newsletters. We will be announcing a competition for a name for the new publication. More information will be coming out about this initiative.

Well, that is it for me – I wish you all a beautiful spring.

** UPCOMING EVENTS
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Monthly Meeting: Birds & Biodiversity of Miner's Marsh
Our upcoming May monthly meeting is Monday May 16th at 7:30 pm online on Zoom. Our presentation this month will be on the birds and other biodiversity that inhabit and frequent Miner's Marsh in Kentville! James Churchill will give the talk. More info forthcoming. Register here! (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=690043a910&e=b24cf58224)
Highway Clean-Up

Join us Sunday May 8th at 9:00 am to clean up part of our community together. The BNS has been leading a bi-annual highway clean-up for the past few years, along NS Trunk 1 from Wolfville to Deep Hollow Road! BNS has adopted this section of road and we are committed to keeping it clear of garbage.

The group will meet in the Elderkin's parking lot on Main St, in the west end of Wolfville. Please remember to bring gloves, good footwear and rain gear if it is damp or lightly raining. Hazard jackets and bags will be provided.

More details and sign up here! (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=8f679b591b&e=b24cf58224)
Flying Squirrel Adventures

Flying Squirrel Adventures are hosting some great spring and summer programs to get outside and connected to nature! Some spring programs and events still have space for registration (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=54504ad65f&e=b24cf58224) , such as kids outdoor adventure and nature programs, Francophone par Nature nature hikes to practice French, and more. Check out all FSA's nature-based community events and programs here! (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=abc83dbcba&e=b24cf58224)

Summer programs will be open for registration soon. Register your interest here if you are keen to get a spot! (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=edfb2623b6&e=b24cf58224)
May Bird Watching Courses!

Beginner Birdwatching - May 21
Ross Creek Centre for the Arts -  Soren Bondrup-Nielsen
This course is for people just getting into birds and those who are interested in learning about birds.  Participants will learn about basic bird biology, the different groups of birds, and what to look for when trying to identify birds. Registration here. (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=c307deddab&e=b24cf58224)

Advanced Birding by Ear - May 28
Ross Creek Centre for the Arts -  James Churchill
This course will teach participants about listening to bird songs and call notes, and how to associate them with specific species of birds. More details to come. Registration here. (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=67f3027f24&e=b24cf58224)
Swift Night Out! Chimney Swift Count & Event

In partnership with Birds Canada and Maritime Swift Watch, join us for a Swift Night Out on Sunday May 29th at 7:30 pm at Robie Tufts Nature Centre in Wolfville!

Every spring, Chimney Swifts return from South America, putting on spectacular shows as they enter roost chimneys throughout the Maritimes, including two right here in Wolfville. Join us to learn fun facts about Chimney Swifts, why these provincially Endangered birds are disappearing from our skies, and what we can do to help. After a brief talk, we will have a chance to watch Chimney Swifts return to their roost chimney at the Robie Tufts Nature Centre for the night. It's a natural phenomenon! More event details to come as they are confirmed.
Event Updates & Schedule On Our Website!

You can find our 2022 calendar of activities and events on our website. (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=6bdb31b99c&e=b24cf58224) It is updated throughout the months with new presentations, field trips, courses, and more! You can also find lots of informative articles, past newsletters and archives, photos, and past presentations and webinars (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=fb33b54a21&e=b24cf58224) (NB this page is in progress).

Stay tuned for our spring field trip May 22.

**  NEW MAGAZINE - NAMING CONTEST!
------------------------------------------------------------
The BNS Board recently passed a motion to shift our publications from the quarterly newsletter in the traditional format to:, a monthly e newsletter for timely information and updates, a yearly archive newsletter recording events, key articles and records of the year in the traditional bound format (Gaspreau Press), plus a new magazine type publication twice per year with colour photos, articles, nature observations , artistic pieces, book and resource reviews and much, much more!

But it needs a name!!!! We need your help! So we are announcing a contest with a deadline for submitting suggestions of Friday, May 20.

Purpose of the publication: Ecological education and sharing of information relevant to the region for a broad audience and appeal of people interested in knowing and learning more about local nature and environmental issues (which of course includes members). It aims to be thoughtful, educational, multidisciplinary, colourful and engaging. The name could have two parts (or not), possibly something catchy and then a description of what it is as a sub-title.

PRIZE: Whoever submits the name that is chosen gets a free admission to one of our full-day courses, either the Nova Scotia Wildflowers course in June taught by Alain Belliveau, or the Fun with Fungi course in September taught by Allison Walker and Keith Egger!

Please send your suggestions to Editor: alan.h.warner at gmail.com (mailto:alan.h.warner at gmail.com)

** BUTTERFLYWAY PROJECT
------------------------------------------------------------
New Article: Native Plants for Biodiversity

Did you know, on our website we have loads of information created and curated by BNS members, and especially with regards to creating pollinator-friendly and biodiverse habitat?

Please enjoy a recent article (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=46d99c8fbf&e=b24cf58224) on the importance of planting native plants for biodiversity in our yards and gardens. If you have wondered about planting with native species, or what even is considered native, this article (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=63bf9fd9f0&e=b24cf58224) produced as part of our ongoing pollinator work with the Butterflyway Project is a great primer!

This is just in time to learn more and plan your garden, and then pick up some native plants at the Friends of the Acadian Forest's Native Plant Sale (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=59196fa54b&e=b24cf58224) on June 4th in Wolfville!
No Mow May - Join the Movement!

Are you joining us for No Mow May? One of the easiest of tips to support a pollinator-friendly spring is to simply set aside the lawnmower! It gives you more time to relax and enjoy spring, and it supports our essential pollinators who rely on early blooming flowers like dandelions for food.

Acadia University has pledged not to mow an area north of Crowell Tower for the month of May. Many in our community are doing the same in their yards. Will you join No Mow May?
We have lots of resources on our website on native plants, gardening for biodiversity, and pollinators and how to support them!
Butterflyway Project Information & Resources (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=16b41cc329&e=b24cf58224)

** BNS PODCAST
------------------------------------------------------------
We've started a podcast, currently entitled the Blomidon Naturalists in Conversation... (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=18753394ca&e=b24cf58224) This podcast gives us a new way to help inspire an appreciation for nature and to tell more stories about this landscape.

Our upcoming podcast is with Jocelyn Durston from Seven Acres Farm in Canning, all about biodiversity, ecological farming and the interconnections between our food systems and the natural world. Stay tuned for it this week!

** GET INVOLVED
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Sunflowers for Pollinators & Peace

An idea from a member: "Will others grow sunflowers in their gardens this year? As the war in the Ukraine unsettles us all, I was wondering if there is a simple way to express our solidarity with its people. Sunflowers are very important to the Ukrainian economy and have been a symbol of peace for a long time. Sunflowers are beautiful and a great source of food for many bees and birds. Plant or seed sunflowers this spring and show that you support the effort."

Learn more about the history of sunflowers (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=8d41b7ece3&e=b24cf58224) , a nationwide effort (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=e3cdad9cae&e=b24cf58224) to plant sunflowers for Ukraine, and a great source of seeds from local Annapolis Seeds (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=893b61522a&e=b24cf58224) !

Sunflowers: Photo: Annapolis Seeds.
Keep an Eye Out for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid!

The invasive insect Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is in Kings County and threatening our eastern hemlock forests. When you are out on walks in the woods, now is a good time to check for HWA eggs on the underside of hemlock needles. Trees should have some branches that can be reached from the ground, but if branches cannot be reached, look at recently broken off branches on the forest floor. Closely examine the underside of the foliage for the presence or absence of white woolly masses at the base of hemlock needles.

Learn more about HWA, how to survey and what to do if you find evidence on our website (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=2ab6141fd8&e=b24cf58224) .

Try to wash or brush off your clothes between visits to hemlock sites around the area and province to help minimize the spread of HWA.

The Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=eaafedacc5&e=b24cf58224) has great resources for limiting the spread of invasive species, supporting invasive species monitoring through citizen science (like by using iNaturalist!) and more info on invasive species in our province.
Save Sandy Lake & the Sackville River from Development!

Sandy Lake and Sackville River form a popular nature space on the edge of Halifax's urban centre. It's home to birds, bugs, animals, mosses and more, all nestled among some of Nova Scotia’s last remaining old-growth forests. But in March, the provincial government’s Task Force on Housing picked the area as one of its locations to fast-track for development, threatening this unique and critical natural space.

Send a message to the provincial authorities who made this decision, and ask that the Sandy Lake “special planning area” be removed from their housing development list and protected!

Organized by the Ecology Action Centre. Learn more and send a message here. (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=44ebd6a68b&e=b24cf58224)
Jijuktu’kwejk Watershed Alliance Win a Canoe Raffle!
The Jijuktu'kwejk Watershed Alliance has launched a canoe raffle fundraiser - the winner will receive a 16' Nova Craft Prospector fibreglass canoe. This year money from the raffle is going towards an exciting new project - making a plan for an engineered Wetland in Berwick with a walking trail (similar to Miner's Marsh in Kentville and the Sackville Waterfowl Park in Sackville NB). Your support will go directly to a design plan to support river restoration.

Learn more and buy tickets here! (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=342d4e8a04&e=b24cf58224) Good luck!

Save Species at Risk Lawn Signs

We have a new batch of Save Species at Risk lawn signs to promote ecological forestry and protected areas. Add your voice to the growing campaign!

Learn more on the campaign here (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=350f7d701c&e=b24cf58224) and make a donation if you are so inclined. Contact Caroline (coordinator at blomidonnaturalists.ca) for a sign pick-up in Wolfville or to arrange pick up or drop off within the area.

** IN THE NEWS
------------------------------------------------------------
New Nova Scotian Podcast: Shared Ground

Amanda Bostlund is starting a new podcast called Shared Ground, with the vision of thriving forests, how they could be possible and what we can do!
It is premiering soon! Explore the trailer here (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=41c881213c&e=b24cf58224) .

About the podcast: "Meet foresters, naturalists, activists, scientists, visionaries, and outdoorsy people of all stripes to share delight in the wonders of forest ecosystems. We talk about issues of forestry, conservation and interconnected topics, and discover sustainable, ecological, respectful ways of relating to the forest. Maintaining and regenerating forest ecosystems is one of the most important necessities of our time, and contributes to everything from carbon sequestration to healthy children. Join Amanda Bostlund as she meets with various folks in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) and beyond to talk about forests as our shared ground, for all species, humans and not. We explore the incredible value of thriving forests, methods and mindsets for their protection, and regenerative solutions for how we interact with and within them."
https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=fd3e04d04a&e=b24cf58224
Job Opportunity: Experiential Tourism Project Admin Coordinator

Inviting a motivated, dependable, and well-organized individual to join a project team (Wolfville Farmers’ Market; Blomidon Naturalists Society; Earth Rhythms) responsible for developing unique, never-before-offered Food, Art, and Nature visitor experiences.Learn more here! (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=3936895e68&e=b24cf58224) Please share!
Sandhill Cranes Spotted on Tantramar Marsh!

Sandhill cranes have started showing up in the Tantramar Marsh area along the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia border! These large birds are more commonly found in the Prairies... Read more here (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=13fa148fbb&e=b24cf58224) .
Sandhill Crane, near Jolicure, N.B. Photo: Nick Landry.

** Native plants finding their way to more Nova Scotia gardens this spring
------------------------------------------------------------
A great CBC article on native plants and gardening! We love to see it! If you haven't already read the article, do check it out here (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=76385933e8&e=b24cf58224) , featuring Melanie Priesnitz from the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens in Wolfville and Baldwin Nurseries in Falmouth.

"Gardening with native plants is really giving back to the land," Priesnitz said. "It's providing habitat for wildlife, it's putting the right plant in the right place. It's reforesting areas, it's trying to restore pieces of land that we have changed. We can really make a difference to the natural world by making good, responsible choices about planting."
https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=a4696a52c6&e=b24cf58224
Susan Lawrence works at Baldwin Nurseries in Upper Falmouth. Photo: Robert Short/CBC.
"Ancient Green: Moss, Climate, and Deep Time" - by Robin Wall Kimmerer

A beautiful essay by Robin Wall Kimmerer on mosses and what they, as ancient beings, can teach us about persisting amid a changing climate. Read or listen to the essay here through Emergence Magazine (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=141869926a&e=b24cf58224) .

"Moss lifeways offer a strong contrast to the ways we’ve organized our society, which prioritizes relentless growth as the metric of well-being: always getting bigger, producing more, having more. Infinite growth is ecologically impossible and exceedingly destructive, as it demands the transformation of the lives of other beings into raw materials to feed the fiction. Mosses show us another way—the abundance that emanates from self-restraint, from enoughness. Mosses have lived too long on this planet to be seduced by the nonsense of accumulation, the delusion of permanence, the endless striving for productivity. Maybe our heartbeats slow when we sit with mosses because they remind us that contentment could be ours."
We acknowledge that we live in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which did not entail the surrender of lands and resources, but recognized Mi’kmaq title. We want to recognize that outdoor education and play would not be possible without access to the natural world that has been stewarded since time immemorial by the many Indigenous peoples of this land. We acknowledge that we have a responsibility to honour and learn about their histories and current cultures and to actively work in support of reconciliation. We are committed to fostering respectful and sustainable relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of this land, with all other organisms, with the land and with the water.
Renew or Join Membership (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=52c5809ee9&e=b24cf58224)
If you enjoyed reading this, please feel free to forward it to someone you think might also appreciate it.

If you would like to submit content and notices for the next e-newsletter, please email coordinator at blomidonnaturalists.ca. Thank you!

As a non-profit, the Blomidon Naturalists Society relies on the tireless effort of our volunteers and the support of individuals such as yourself. If you are able, we ask that you might consider donating to further enable this work.
Donate Now (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=a5da8debc7&e=b24cf58224)
Donate Monthly (https://blomidonnaturalists.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0dbe0d10c2ef002331c94c4f9&id=3ee7835bbf&e=b24cf58224)

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