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News & Events
Gift Cards Feature Species At Risk
The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute has produced a set of eight gift cards featuring art by Elkpen. Last winter, MTRI researchers discovered three new locations in Nova Scotia for an extremely rare and globally endangered lichen, the boreal felt lichen. This lichen is featured on one of the cards which also include atlantic whitefish, piping plover, mainland moose, monarch butterfly and Blanding's turtle. The series of postcards are being sold as a fundraiser. To place an order, contact MTRI at 902-682-2371 or info@merseatobeatic.ca. Cards are $2 each or all 8 for $10.
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NFA Partners Tour Wetland
This year, we began the Autumn season with our Partnership meeting which was held at the DNR Shubenacadie Training Room on September 25th. In the morning, participants enjoyed fresh air, sunshine and a guided tour of the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park - always a treat for 'children of all ages'! We were very proud of our gang, who were able to solve the Conservation Quest Wetland Decoder Game at the interpretive centre.
The tour was followed by a delicious lunch provided by Fusion Catering, featuring shaved beef on a bun, the sweetest corn-on-the-cob, a variety of salads and a noteworthy warm blueberry cobbler with fresh cream. Following the Partnership meeting, a small but keen group was treated to a guided tour of the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Project. We enjoyed the walk and learned a few things about life in a wetland. Our tour guide was pleasantly surprised that George MacDonald was able to identify a 'mystery' tree species while Doug Linzey took photos and collected a field sample of a possible invasive species that he will help to identify. We had a great day - many thanks to the helpful staff at the DNR office in Shubie, the Wildlife Park and Greenwing Centre.
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Out on the Mi'kmawey Trail
On October 9th the NFA partnered with the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq to co-host a tour at the Mi'kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail. The morning was overcast and drizzly, but cleared just on time for the tour which was attended by RPFs and others. The session began with a presentation by Gerald Gloade, who talked about the early history and culture of the First People, recent archaeological activities and educational programs. Gerald provided a table full of interesting artifacts and a very impressive demonstration of his technique using the atalatal, an innovative handpiece/spear combination that delivers the weapon with a high degree of accuracy and velocity. Shannon Googoo, a descendant of one of the oldest Mi'kmawey families, provided more cultural information and details about the Debert site before leading our walk on the 4.4km trail, ranked moderate in level.
Detailed interpretive signage guides visitors and provides information about the site and Mi'kmawey history and culture. The trail provides ample opportunity for fitness, photography or reflection as it meanders through a quiet forest setting. Sporadic clearings with stools fashioned from stumps provide a place for groups to pause for a rest or discussion. The footing is excellent and several stream crossings and elevation changes are traversed with sturdy bridges and stairways, created and maintained primarily through the dedicated work of two very special volunteers from the community. Shannon set a fairly brisk pace for our walk which took us around the trail in about 1.25 hours. Apparently, it can be jogged in 45 minutes or one could spend a pleasant half-day there at a more relaxing pace! Our thanks to Gerald and Shannon for an educational and invigorating afternoon in the woods. Anyone wishing to get more information about the trail site can call the Confederacy at 895-6385.
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