Community Activities
There are many public events taking place during the first two weeks of June for Canadian Environment Week and other celebration days. Visit the following websites for event listings. Some websites have the option for you to post an event so that you can show Nova Scotia, Canada and the world how you are celebrating. Visit:
- General Events: Nova Scotia Environmental Network. Visit the Calendar of Events.
- Environment Week: Environment Canada. Visit the Community Action Board.
- World Environment Day: June 5. Visit The United Nations Environment Programme Around the World activities page.
- Canadian Rivers Day: Visit the Canadian Heritage Rivers System events page.
- International Trails Day: Visit the Nova Scotia Trails Federation events listing.
- Bike Week in Halifax Regional Municipality: May 30 to June 8. Visit the HRM Bike Week events listing for many bike related events.
- Waste Management Facilities: Open house tours will be taking place across the province during to learn about what happens to your recyclables, organics and garbage. Get your downloadable list of events.
Nova Scotia Environment’s event participation:
National Commuter Challenge
June 1 to 7
Join in this friendly competition between Canadian communities to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transportation to and from work. For more information please visit the Commuter Challenge website. Nova Scotia Environment will be taking part in the workplace commuter challenge.
Eco-Efficiency Centre's 9th Annual Environmental Excellence in Business Breakfast
The Westin Nova Scotia, Halifax Monday June 2, 2008, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Recognizing small and medium-sized companies in Nova Scotia that are using innovative thinking and proactive strategies to reduce their environmental impact. This year's guest speaker will be Minister Mark Parent, Nova Scotia Environment. Visit the Eco-Efficiency Centre website for more information.
Ocean's Day Celebration
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, at the wharves behind the museum, 1675 Lower Water Street, Halifax, June 6, 2008, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Join the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic along with other federal and provincial departments, environmental organizations, universities and industry at a public event (PDF: 152k) to celebrate World Oceans Day 2008! Please call (902) 424-5830 or email weselosw@gov.ns.ca prior to the day if your organization would like to participate. Enjoy interactive and educational exhibits and displays, a live touch tank, demonstrations, face painting and more. This event will take place rain or shine (rain location is inside the Small Crafts Room of the museum). Nova Scotia Environment will have a booth at this event.
Bioblitz
Exhibition Park, Halifax, June 7, 2008, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
A BioBlitz is a taxonomic survey to identify as many different groups of organisms as possible in a 24-hour period. Led by Saint Mary’s University, this inaugural event will have teams of taxonomists converge at Long Lake Provincial Park (adjacent to Exhibition Park) to identify as many species as possible in five different habitats within the park. Throughout the night, the teams will bring their discoveries to the base camp at Exhibition Park to be identified and catalogued. The public are invited to attend the festivities on June 7 at 9 a.m. when the event becomes a celebration of environmentally-related activities and will provide a chance for the public to see scientists in action. There will be short presentations, displays, hands-on activities, a Wilderbeats performance, opportunities to meet taxonomists, and other entertainment throughout the day. The closing ceremonies will begin at 3 pm.
Admission for this event is free. For more information, please contact Suzanne Boudreau at (902) 420-5559 or email: Suzanne.Boudreau@smu.ca for more information. Nova Scotia Environment will have a display at this event.
Canadian Rivers Day – Paddle the Margaree
Margaree River Wilderness Area, June 8, 2008, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Celebrate Canadian Rivers Day by joining us for a canoe/kayak trip down one of Nova Scotia's two Canadian Heritage Rivers, the beautiful Margaree. We will put in at Margaree Forks and finish up at the bridge at Margaree Harbour. Although this 13 km section of the river is generally slow moving, some paddling experience is recommended. Participants are required to bring their own boats, and all the required safety equipment including sufficient paddles, PFD's, floating throw ropes, painters, bailers and signaling devices. A change of clothing, snacks, drinking water, and sunscreen are recommended. Pre registration is required. Sponsored and organized by Nova Scotia Environment’s Protected Areas Branch. For more information or to pre register, please call David Williams at (902) 563 3428 or by email: williadc@gov.ns.ca.
Canadian Rivers Day – The Tent Dwellers Rivers Day, Shelburne Canadian Heritage River
Shelburne Canadian Heritage River, June 8, 2008, 10:00AM
FULL – another event will take place on September 20th during the Tent Dwellers Outdoor Art Festival. Please contact Leif Helmer to register.Celebrate Canadian Rivers Day in the spirit of The Tent Dwellers, the 1908 book about wilderness travel into the Tobeatic. Meet at the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute in Kempt for a brief presentation on the historic canoe route and the new Shelburne River Candidate Wilderness Area. Then head into the woods to Sand Lake to paddle a special part of The Tent Dwellers route and experience this scenic part of the Shelburne River. Participants will need a day pack with lunch, canoe, or kayak, PFD's for all paddlers, and other required safety equipment. Pre registration is required. Sponsored and organized by Nova Scotia Environment’s Protected Areas Branch. For more information or to pre register for this event, please contact Leif Helmer at (902) 543-4685 or email: helmerpl@gov.ns.ca.
