Premier Signs Memorandum to Help Build More Trails

The Premier of Nova Scotia has committed to helping complete the Trans Canada Trail network in Nova Scotia.

Health Promotion and Protection
October 21, 2008 4:04 PM

Walking throughout Nova Scotia on the Trans Canada Trail just got easier.

Premier Rodney MacDonald, Trans Canada Trail National chair Valerie Pringle, Trans Canada Trail president and CEO Deborah Apps and Terry Norman, president of the Nova Scotia Trails Federation, today, Oct. 21, signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the trail system in Nova Scotia to make it the province most connected by trails.

The memorandum of understanding establishes a working relationship to complete the trail in Nova Scotia. It also encourages community support and assists community volunteers in the development of trails.

Trans Canada Trail National has also agreed to continue its national trail construction funding program, conduct national fundraising programs and support the planning and building of pavilions at visible locations in the province.

"The Trans Canada Trail is a wonderful showcase for the natural beauty of our great country," said Premier MacDonald. "The trail will also provide Nova Scotians with more opportunities for physical activities like, walking, running and biking."

"Trans Canada Trail is currently developing the world's longest recreational trail, connecting hundreds of Canadian communities said Ms. Pringle. "The trail, when completed, will run from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, through every province and territory, linking more than 33 million Canadians.

"It will showcase Canada at its best and trails in Nova Scotia will make up an important part of it."

"The signing of the memorandum of understanding is a milestone that shows the province understands the importance of trails and trail building for the communities and people of Nova Scotia," said Ms. Apps.

The province will establish an intergovernmental committee of representatives from departments that are responsible for building trails. The committee will work closely with the Nova Scotia Trails Federation to investigate ways to support the sustainable management of the Trans Canada Trail in Nova Scotia.

"Nova Scotia Trails appreciates the strong financial and public policy support that we have received from the government of Nova Scotia over the past 12 years," said Mr. Norman. "We are also thankful for the financial, administrative and moral support that we have received from Trans Canada Trail National.

"The memorandum of understanding we are signing is tangible evidence of the strength of our partnership."

Media Contact: Glenn Friel
Health Promotion and Protection
902-424-5323
Cell: 902-456-7416
E-mail: Glenn.Friel@gov.ns.ca

New Nature Reserves for Nova Scotia

The province of Nova Scotia has added five new locations to its list of protected spaces.
This is a great move for the environment and ecotourism ensuring that the province will continue to have great spaces protected for generations to come.

Environment
October 16, 2008 12:19 PM

Five new nature reserves in Nova Scotia will protect old-growth forests, wetlands, rare species' habitats, and ecosystems.

Once formally designated, the areas will provide the province's highest level of environmental protection to lands purchased by the government from the former Bowater Mersey Paper Company in 2007.

"The province committed to protecting those ecologically significant lands acquired from Bowater, and we are following through on that commitment," said Environment Minister Mark Parent.

There are already 16 nature reserves in Nova Scotia. They protect relatively small, important ecological sites and support scientific research and education.

The five new reserves will help protect 594 hectares (1,468 acres) and will be designated under the Special Places Protection Act. They will be in four counties and will be places for researchers and nature enthusiasts to explore, study and cherish forever.

Long Lake Nature Reserve in Lunenburg County will be 261 hectares (about 645 acres). It will protect mature spruce, pine and shade-tolerant hardwood forest growing on land enclosing Long Lake, in an area of the province with very little protected land. It is being designated with the cooperation of Tripple Uranium Resources, a mineral exploration company which has volunteered to give up its mineral claims in the area being protected.

Sixth and Coades Lakes Nature Reserve in Queens County will be 129 hectares (about 318 acres). Mature and old-growth hemlock forests grow along the shores of Sixth and Coades Lakes. The area has been recognized since the early 1970s as an International Biological Program site.

Also in Queens County, Eighteen Mile Brook Nature Reserve will be 66 hectares (about 163 acres). The area will protect a portion of a large wetland system which supports a vulnerable plant species called Long's Bulrush. Due to the plant's limited numbers, it is included on a national list of species of special concern.

West Branch Medway River Nature Reserve in Annapolis County will be 79 hectares (about 195 acres). It will protect old-growth hemlock forest and a rich wetland on the shores of the river.

Martin Brook Nature Reserve in Shelburne County will be 60 hectares (about 147 acres). It is a small area of older pine and spruce forest.

The Department of Environment worked closely with the Department of Natural Resources to establish the protected areas.
Protecting the environment is one of government's priorities. Work is well underway on additional designations of new protected areas on the lands acquired from Bowater.

The nature reserve designations show continued progress on government's commitment in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act to protect 12 per cent of Nova Scotia's land base by 2015.



Media Contact: Bruce Nunn
Department of Environment
902-424-6427
Cell: 902-476-6454
E-mail: nunnbx@gov.ns.ca

Free Joel Plaskett Emergency Concert in Bridgewater Nova Scotia

It's time for another free D250 concert featuring a great local artist, Joel Plaskett Emergency and others.
The concert will be held on October 23 at Shipyards Landing in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. This event is free to the general public and will include a BBQ rain or shine. You can give a big thanks to the sponsors of this event, your local MLAs.
Michael G. Baker - Lunenburg
Carolyn Bolivar-Getson - Lunenburg West
Vicki Conrad - Queens
Judy Streatch - Chester - St. Margaret's

See below for a map to Shipyards Landing in Bridgewater.

View Larger Map

Highland Village Celebrates a Gaelic Halloween

Looking for something to do to get you in the mood for Halloween?  Why not visit Highland Village for their Gaelic Halloween.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage
October 16, 2008 3:32 PM

The Great Night of Ghosts will soon chill the air at Highland Village Museum in Iona.

The museum is presenting Oidhche Shamhna or a Gaelic Halloween over three evenings, Thursday, Oct. 23, Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The village will observe the customs and stories of Halloween with a series of special activities titled Oidhche Mhór nam Bòcan or The Great Night of Ghosts.

Known in English as All Souls Eve, or Halloween, in ancient times people speaking Celtic languages marked winter's beginning and the time of darkness, with Oidhche Shamhna, a night when spirits walk in the world of mortals. Gaels in Cape Breton have kept this night of seasonal change alive with customs brought to the island from the Scottish Highlands and Islands two centuries ago.

For three nights, the Highland Village site and its buildings will become the haunt of Halloween visitors and strange happenings as a torchlight tour takes guests to the black house, log cabin, 1820s centre chimney house, the Malagawatch Church, 1865 centre hallway house, country store and 1900s farmhouse. Each historic building offers a re-enactment from Cape Breton's Gaelic tradition that will thrill and chill with eerie incidents.

The walk will end with storytelling and a céilidh in the Village Tuning Room with traditional fuarag, which is oatmeal, cream and sugar, on-hand to taste. Eating fuarag on Halloween night is an ancient practice and well-known throughout Gaelic Nova Scotia. Light refreshments and oatcakes will also be served.

The conclusion of Oidhche Mhór nam Bòcan will give guests an opportunity to tell their own stories, along with special storytellers, in a friendly Halloween atmosphere. Fiddle music and Gaelic songs will round out the evening.

Admission for adults is ten dollars and five dollars for students. A twenty dollar rate for three or more family members is also available. For a memorable Halloween occasion, make Highland Village your gruesome destination.

The Oidhche Mhór nam Bòcan tour can only accommodate a limited number of people. Please pre-register to ensure your place by calling Highland Village at 902-725-2272 in advance.

Media Contact: Rodney Chaisson
Highland Village Museum
902-725-2272
E-mail: chaissrs@gov.ns.ca

Celtic Colours International Festival 2008 - October 10-18, 2008

Since 1997 the Celtic Colours International Festival has attracted countless thousands of visitors to Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia to hear some of the finest music from all over the Celtic world. This year will be no different with 46 shows planned for venues all over Cape Breton Island. The festival will have artists from all over Canada, the U.S., Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Denmark, France, Spain and Cuba. Spanning 9 days over 260 events will take place in communities all over the island. These events range from educational workshops and discussions to community dances and meals to visual art exhibitions.
Full festival details can be seen on the festival web site. www.celtic-colours.com. The 2008 Celtic Colours International Festival will run from October 10-18.

Pomegranate Phone - Nova Scotia Marketing At It's Best

I was simply amazed when I first came across the Pomegranate Phone. This all-in-one device has everything you expect from a new smart phone and more. It has a built in projector, GPS, global voice translator and more. I have to get one.

But seriously this is one of the best examples of viral marketing I have ever seen. The province of Nova Scotia has done a really good job on this Pomegranate Phone project. According to Stacey Jones-Oxner, Nova Scotia Come to Life spokeswoman “We want to get business people and others looking at us as a place to invest, work, live and do business.”

Have a look at this...

http://www.pomegranatephone.com/

You will want one too!