News release

National Wildlife Week, April 5 to 11

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Nova Scotians can celebrate National Wildlife Week from April 5 to 11, with workshops by the Department of Natural Resources and national non-profit environmental organization Evergreen.

National Wildlife Week raises awareness about the importance of wildlife and wildlife habitat in Nova Scotia and throughout Canada. This year's theme, Our Home and Native Plants, focuses on how important native plants are to our ecosystems and the habitat of wild creatures.

"This is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife habitat in Nova Scotia and throughout Canada," said Natural Resources Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. "The goals of the week fall in line with many wildlife protection initiatives the department takes on year-round."

Native plant species are part of the original flora of an area. According to a 2005 status assessment of Nova Scotia's wild plants, there are 987 native species in the province.

In recognition, the Department of Natural Resources and Evergreen will deliver three free workshops to encourage using native plants for school ground greening projects.

The workshops will be held from 3:30 p.m to 5 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, April 8: Berwick, Annapolis Valley Regional School Board office, 121 Orchard St.
  • Thursday, April 16: Sydney, Shipyard Elementary School, 30 Mount Kemmel St.
  • Thursday, April 23: Halifax Teachers Resource Centre, 2326 Brunswick St., Room 142, 2nd Floor

To register, call (902) 424-3107 or e-mail maharrd@gov.ns.ca .

For more than 45 years, the Canadian Wildlife Federation has partnered with federal, provincial and territorial wildlife and related agencies, to develop and implement the National Wildlife Week program in Canada.

This year's national non-profit partner, Evergreen, is an environmental organization that makes cities more livable by deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments.

For more information on National Wildlife Week, visit www.nationalwildlifeweek.ca .