Species at Risk Geocaching!

BCAF, in partnership with New Germany Rural High School students Neil Veinotte and Lucas Hiltz, have established a series of Species At Risk (SAR) geocaching sites in Lunenburg County. These sites are informational sites and provide an opportunity for the geocache seeker to learn more about the Atlantic Whitefish and the Roseate Tern, two of our local endangered species. These geocache sites have been registered on-line with the official geocaching website. To locate these sites follow the links on the “seek a cache” page and enter BCAF in the “hidden by username” box. So go have fun and learn more about Lunenburg County’s species at risk!

Environmental Education at the Morton Centre

BCAF is extremely excited to have partnered with Acadia University and Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. to develop environmental education programs for delivery at the Morton Centre. The Morton Centre is located on a 99-acre property on Heckman’s Island, near Lunenburg on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. The property and all existing structures were donated to Acadia University in 1995 by Dr. Harry and Rachel Morton. BCAF will host their first season of environmental education programming at the Morton Centre in the spring of 2013. Other funding partners in this initiative include the Sage Environmental Program and Mountain Equipment Co-op. Stay tuned for more detailed information about upcoming environmental education programs offered at the Morton Centre.

BCAF now accepting applications for 2013 Bursary

BCAF is once again accepting applications from graduating Grade 12 Lunenburg County students for the Dan MacPhail Memorial Bursary. Those students interested in furthering their education either at the University or College level in the environmental sciences should apply. More details about the bursary can be found by clicking on the Bursary link in the sidebar on the left. The 2013 application deadline is Friday, April 26th, 2013.

Liming the Gold River

As part of BCAF’s Gold River Liming Project, in partnership with Dalhousie University and assisted by students from New Germany Rural High School, 5 tonnes of agricultural lime was distributed on Thursday, May 31st at the Maria Creek project site in New Russell. The project, sponsored by the Donner Canadian Foundation, is a pilot terrestrial-based watershed liming project which will look at the short and long term effects of the lime on the water, soil, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, and ultimately the benefits for the downstream fishery. Learn more about this project by listening to the CBC Information Morning interview. The podcast can be found through the following link:

Information Morning, Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 – “A New Liming Project on the South Shore”

Click here to read some testimonials from NGRHS participating students and teacher, Hester Gibson.

BCAF Introduces New Project & New Partnerships

BCAF has partnered with Acadia University to develop a research project that specifically looks at coastal erosion and its impacts on the islands and coastal communities located within Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Other project partners include the Mahone Islands Conservation Association (MICA) and the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy (KCC). As a first step in this research project, two Acadia Honours students [one Geology (GEOL) student and one Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESST) student] will be hired to research and compile (1) the historical information related to the islands in the area and (2) determine a physical baseline of present coastal erosion impacts on the islands for use in further studies. Visit the Coastal Erosion Project Page to learn more information about this new project.

BCAF’s Atlantic Whitefish Project makes National News

Erika Cross, Project Coordinator for BCAF’s Atlantic Whitefish Recovery Project, was recently interviewed by Paul Withers with CBC News. The story was aired on both the local and national CBC television news broadcasts as well as a piece on CBC Radio. Click on the link to view the interview on-line.

CBC News, Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 – “NS fishway created to save endangered species”

BCAF Releases New On-Site Sewage Information

The issue of residential straight pipes releasing untreated sewage directly into the LaHave River has been a hot issue in the media as of late. Some concerned residents have approached BCAF about the issue. The BCAF Board of Directors has agreed that the present role of the organization in addressing this issue is to raise public awareness and help educate home owners regarding potential options for solutions to non-existent or malfunctioning on-site septic systems. There were two radio news casts on CBC Information Morning on this topic. Podcasts can be found at the following links:

BCAF has also developed a new informational brochure addressing the on-site septic issue. Click on the picture to see the full brochure. For more information, please contact info@coastalaction.org.

BCAF Looking for “Island Watchers”

Grassy Island in Mahone Bay used to hold 1/3 of the endangered Roseate tern population in Canada. In 1995, the population began declining until, in 2003, there were no Roseate terns recorded in Mahone Bay at all. The Roseate Tern Recovery Project (RTRP) was initiated in 2003 to monitor tern abundance, distribution, and productivity and ultimately establish a secure nesting site for a Roseate tern colony in the bay.

If you enjoy being outdoors, boating, and are often near the islands within Lunenburg County – the Island Watchers Program is for you! The Island Watchers Program is a chance for community members to observe and record information on terns in the area and help BCAF monitor their movements and behaviours, as well as disturbances, within Lunenburg County.

If you would like to receive more information about how you can get involved, call the BCAF office at 902-634-9977 or email rtrp@coastalaction.org.

BCAF still offering Environmental Home Assessment Program

Nova Scotians want to do their part to protect the environment. Often, people do not realize the environmental and health impacts of not regularly testing well water and properly maintaining oil tanks and septic systems. The Environmental Home Assessment Program is designed to inform Nova Scotians about the importance of their on-site water wells and septic systems, as well as their home oil tank. The home assessment will provide educational information about the importance of regular well water quality testing, pumping of the septic system and maintenance of the oil tank. The program is FREE and offers home assessments to hundreds of individual homes served by water wells and on-site septic systems.

Homeowners who participate will receive :

A water and wastewater assessment for their property
A $100 rebate on septic tank pumping
A water quality sampling kit
Water saving devices
Samples of environmentally friendly cleaners
And a home oil tank system checklist

Contact the BCAF office toll free 1-866-551-5586 to book an appointment or email Bruce Josselyn for more information.