Riverside Trail Snow Shoe Bioblitz
2026-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Riverside Park, 80 Bridge St, Middleton, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Southwest Nova Biosphere and Middleton Recreation are partnering to bring the Snow Shoe Bioblitz to the Riverside Park. This family-friendly event invites community members to learn about biodiversity in Southwestern Nova Scotia using the iNaturalist app.
Participants will meet at the trailhead by the parking lot at 11:00 am on Saturday February 21st to explore the trail and photograph as many winter plants as they can see. A prize will be available for the attendee with the highest number of species uploaded to iNaturlist at the end of the walk. This data will be incorporated into the “Best Buds Bioblitz” on iNaturalist.

Middleton recreation offers free equipment rentals including cross country skis, walking poles, and snow shoes. Attendees are encouraged to reach out to mpal@town.middleton.ns.ca to reserve snow shoes for Saturday morning.

For more information on the bioblitz, check out SNBRA beginners’ guide on their Facebook page.

Reimagining Rural Resilience: Changing Landscapes and Lifescapes Fireside Chat
2026-02-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Saint Mary’s University, 923 Robie St, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
A friendly, fireside chat with dykeland researchers Dr. Danika van Proosdij and Dr. Jonathan Fowler.

This is the first annual fireside chat, in the series Reimagining Rural Resilience: Changing Landscapes and Lifescapes. Hosted by The Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies (GRI), the TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature-Based Solutions (TCA) at Saint Mary’s University, and the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), this series will showcase new research on and about Nova Scotia with the public.
Unilever Lounge (SB) at Saint Mary’s University

Register here

Hemlock Conservation Webinar Series: Chemical Treatment Options and Resources for Woodland Stewards
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This online webinar will focus on systemic insecticide treatments that can help woodland stewards protect hemlock trees from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). Systemic insecticides are currently the only proven short-term method for saving infested hemlocks. Preserving mature hemlocks and trees in riparian areas is especially important, as these forests provide cooling shade, wildlife habitat, soil stability, and stream protection.
As staff with the Medway Community Forest Cooperative (MCFC), presenters Jessica Ihlen and Matt Miller will share an overview of MCFC’s HWA program, including treatment planning resources, decision-making tools, and practical guidance to help woodland stewards determine when chemical treatment is appropriate. Woodland stewards will leave with clear steps for identifying priority trees, understanding treatment considerations, and making informed choices to protect hemlock on their property.
This webinar is part of a three-part series designed to equip woodland stewards with practical, research-informed tools for responding to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive, aphid-like insect that has been devastating hemlock forests in Nova Scotia since its discovery in 2017. Follow the links below to register for parts 2 and 3.
Webinar 1: Chemical Treatment Options and Resources for Woodland Stewards
Webinar 2: Understanding Biological Control and Research in Nova Scotia
Webinar 3: Silviculture Strategies to Help Prepare & Adapt your Woodland for HWA

Monarch March
2026-03-01 00:00 - 2026-03-31 23:59 | Nova Scotia
Soon, the Monarch butterflies will begin to emerge from their winter sleep in Mexico, getting ready to start their journey north to lay their eggs. As each new generation moves farther north and finally reaches us here in Nova Scotia, the generation that hatches in our province will take on the incredible 5,000 km flight back to Mexico to spend the winter in their special forest habitat.

The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute is asking everyone to celebrate this massive migration and help raise awareness for this Endangered butterfly by marching during the month of March. Our collective goal is to walk, jog, or run 5,000 km in honour of this remarkable insect.
Submission forms will open on March 1st, 2026, and this year we’re excited to introduce a prize for the participant who logs the most kilometers.

Visit MTRI’s Facebook page for more info

Hemlock Conservation Webinar: Understanding Biological Control & Research in Nova Scotia
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This online webinar will focus on biological control, a long-term strategy that uses natural predators to reduce Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) populations. Current research in Nova Scotia includes evaluating and releasing specialist predators such as Laricobius nigrinus, a beetle that feeds on HWA and has shown promise for establishing in affected stands. This work is advancing with federal and provincial support for predator rearing and release programs within a broader integrated management approach.
Presenters Jeff Fidgen and Dr. Kirk Hillier will share current findings on predator establishment, research progress, and how biological control fits within long-term hemlock conservation. Woodland stewards will leave with a clearer understanding of the role biological control can play in sustaining hemlock ecosystems as part of a resilient, multi-faceted approach to managing HWA.
This webinar is part of a three-part series designed to equip woodland stewards with practical, research-informed tools for responding to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive, aphid-like insect that has been devastating hemlock forests in Nova Scotia since its discovery in 2017. Follow the links below to register for parts 2 and 3.
Webinar 1: Chemical Treatment Options and Resources for Woodland Stewards (February 26th)
Webinar 3: Silviculture Strategies to Help Prepare & Adapt your Woodland for HWA

Crow Neck Beach Clean Up
2026-03-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Crows Neck Beach, 1160 Baccaro Rd, Barrington, Canada
On March 8th, Scotian Shores will be leading a shoreline clean up at Crow Neck Beach, which is protected by the province of Nova Scotia in partnership with Nova Scotia Nature Trust. This spectacular beach supports critical habitat for the endangered Piping Plover. Please join them in helping to remove garbage and debris from the area before plovers return from migration!
For more details, please see Scotian Shores’ Facebook Event Page: Crows Neck Beach Clean Up | Facebook

Hemlock Conservation Webinar Series: Silviculture Strategies to Help Prepare & Adapt your Woodland for HWA
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This webinar will focus on silviculture strategies that help woodland stewards prepare for, and adapt to, the arrival of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). Practices such as stand thinning can improve tree vigour in advance of infestation. Silviculture can also play a mitigative role in cases where insecticide treatments are feasible, where the focus is on promoting species and structural diversity.
Presenters Mary Jane Rodger and Michael Stastny will share practical guidance informed by ongoing research and on-the-ground management experience. Woodland stewards will gain clear considerations and proactive steps to help conserve and strengthen hemlock stands before and after HWA establishment, supporting long-term forest resilience and ecological health.
This webinar is part of a three-part series designed to equip woodland stewards with practical, research-informed tools for responding to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), an invasive, aphid-like insect that has been devastating hemlock forests in Nova Scotia since its discovery in 2017. Follow the links below to register for parts 1 and 2.
Webinar 1: Chemical Treatment Options and Resources for Woodland Stewards (February 26th)
Webinar 2: Understanding Biological Control and Research in Nova Scotia (March 5th)

2026 Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resilience Conference
2026-06-21 00:00 - 2026-06-25 23:59 | Saint Mary’s University, 923 Robie St, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature-Based Solutions at Saint Mary’s University is organizing the 2026 Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resilience Conference. This five-day workshop (including 2 field trip days) provides a space for reflection, collaboration, and growth. It focuses on the principles and techniques for nature-based adaptation. The goal is to increase local knowledge exchange on nature-based adaptation and to empower more groups to undertake such activities. Through open dialogue, they aim to advance the implementation of nature-based and restoration projects across Canada and North America. The multi-day conference will welcome 120 researchers, policymakers, scientists, engineers, designers, students, community groups, and other experts from across the region.
The Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resilience conference will be held from June 22-24, 2026 at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bookending the event are 2 optional field trips (June 21, June 25), to view nature-based coastal adaptation strategies in action in Nova Scotia.
Visit Coastal Resilience Conference 2026 — TransCoastal Adaptations to learn more.
