PAST NATURE TALKS & WEBINARS
The Avon River Estuary and the Windsor Causeway
Lachlan Riehl of the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group provides a detailed history and update on fish monitoring in the Avon estuary as the controversy over if and how to maintain fish passage under the causeway and into the tidal estuary in the river system continues. The Province continues to invoke the emergency powers act to prevent the free flow of water through the tidal gates as required by the federal fisheries act.
Our Galaxy— From Milk to Billions of Stars
For most of human history, the Milky Way was a mysterious band of white light that arched across the sky. This talk by local astronomer Patrick Kelly looks at how humans have changed their perspectives on this amazing object over centuries, and how we have come to better understand where it came from, and what its future holds.
The Secret Lives of Malaria Parasites in Frogs and Snakes
Todd Smith from the Department of Biology at Acadia University takes you on the intriguing journey of malaria parasites as they move through their life cycles in mosquitoes, frogs and snakes.
Tiny Terrors: Living with Ticks in the Maritimes
Laura Ferguson from the Department of Biology at Acadia University shares all that you might want to know about ticks, and much more! Learn about their habits and things you can do to minimize threats to your health while still enjoying the outdoors.
Exploring Biodiversity and Forest Conservation in New Zealand
Alan Warner discusses 5 weeks of exploring and trapping invasive mammals—possums, rats and stoats—in the rain forests of the North Island of New Zealand volunteering with a regional naturalist organization. He shares photos and stories, and reflects on community engagement and human intervention to protect forests there, and the lessons for us here.
Hope for Wildlife
George Ryan explains the role of Hope for Wildlife in wildlife conservation in the December 2024 talk.
Exploring the Arctic
Sherman Boates shares highlights from his journey to the Arctic in the November 2024 talk.
The Mysteries of Boreal Owls
Soren Bondrup-Nielsen shares intriguing mysteries about the lives of Boreal Owls from his research days in Northern Ontario and Alberta, often occurring in the depths of winter. It is warmer listening to the took at home.
What is Happening with BNS Projects
The September 2024 talk provided updates of BNS Projects including the Butterflyways Project, the proposed Chain Lakes Wilderness Area, the Nova Scotia Native Fish Guidebook, the summer Butterfly Theatre program, and the Wolfville Forest Restoration Project.
A Penguin Safari
For the June 2024 talk, John Burka of the BNS takes us along on his expedition to the Antarctic in search of penguins, other creatures of the Southern Ocean, and the legacy of Ernest Shackelton.
Protected Areas in Nova Scotia
April 2024 talk by John LeDuc, protected areas consultant and former director (retired) of the Protected Areas Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment.
Canadian High Arctic: The Flora, Fauna and Climate Change
March 2024 talk by Dr. Zoe Panchen, plant ecologist, Acadia University Department of Biology.
The Complex Challenge of Wildlife Conservation in Kenya
February 2024 talk by Dr. Alison Stuart, science educator and evolutionary biologist.
The Minas Basin in the Last 200,000 years
January 2024 talk by Elisabeth Kosters, geologist, based on her forthcoming book.
The Lost Art of Cartography
December 2023 talk by Marcel Morin, cartographer, GIS analyst, graphic designer, who has worked in the field of mapping and design for the past 31 years.
What's Up with the Seat Turtles and the Canadian Sea Turtle Network?
November 2023 talk by Kathleen Martin of the Canadian Sea Turtle Network
From Rocks to Flowers
October 2023 talk by Carol Donaldson & Howard Williams.
How the Social Life of Fishes is Influenced by Climate Warming
September 2023 talk by Dr. Suzie Curry from Acadia University
North Atlantic Right Whales
June 2023 talk by Gina Lonati
Minas Basin Geological History
May 2023 talk by Elisabeth Kosters
Bird - Window Collisions
April 2023 talk by Melissa MacDonald
Vernal Ponds
March 2023 talk by John Brazner
Progress Report: Protected Areas in Kings County
February 2023 talk by biologist Alain Beliveau
Manta: the Secret Life of Devil Rays
February 2023 talk by Dr. Guy Stevens, Chief Executive and Founder of the Manta Trust, an international charity. He is also a board member of the BNS.
Why Aren't You Scared? The State of Climate Change in Our Province and the World
January 2023 talk by Oliver Baker, grade 12 student at the Northeast Kings Educational Centre, who recently attended COP 27 in Egypt.
Time for an Even Older Story
December 2022 talk by Dr. Jade Atkins, Director of Joggins Fossil Institute.
The Sun is Not an Average Star, the Earth is Not an Average Planet
September 2022 talk by Dr. Patrick Kelly, local astronomer and extensive contributor to the Blomidon Naturalists Society.
Coastal Eelgrass Beds: Hotspots for Biodiversity and Conservation
June 2022 talk by Dr. Ryan Stanley, Bedford Institute of Oceanography.
Tales from the Cryptic: Hidden Treasures and Lesser-Known Stories from the Miner's Marsh Hotspot
May 2022 talk by James Churchill, avian biologist James Churchill, and Data Manager at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre (ACCDC).
Biodiversity in the Jijuktu’kwejk Watershed
April 2022 talk by Keeler Colton and JonasGow of the Jijuktu’kwejk Watershed Alliance.
Lichens of Nova Scotia
March 2022 talk by Dr Sean Haughian, Curator of Botany, Nova Scotia Museum.
Chimney Swifts in Atlantic Canada: Life History, Trends & Conservation
March 2022 talk by Rielle Hoeg, Aerial Insectivore Program Technician, Birds Canada.
Bending the Curve of Biodiversity Loss: the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
February 2022 talk by Mike Gill, Director, Biodiversity Indicators Program, Nature Serve.
Reaching 20% Protected Areas in Kings County by 2030
February 2022 talk by Alain Beliveau, local biologist and citizen scientist.