Environment Week Events and Kudos
From guided wilderness tours to a scientific event to identify as many species as possible in 24 hours, there are great opportunities to get closer to nature during Environment Week.
During the May 31 to June 6 Environment Week celebrations, a series of guided outings will begin in several of Nova Scotia's 57 protected wilderness areas and nature reserves. The wilderness tours will be led by experts from the Department of Environment and its partner groups. Offered throughout the year, they will include excursions by foot, canoe, and, in winter, by skis. Details are located at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas/outings.asp .
BioBlitz 2009, hosted by Saint Mary's University, takes place June 5-6. The survey by about 100 scientists will identify as many different species as possible, in 24 hours, within the provincially protected Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area. The recently designated wilderness area is 1,312 hectares (3,242 acres) adjacent to Bayers Lake Business Park, in Halifax Regional Municipality. Department of Environment staff have helped organize, and will provide equipment, guiding and displays for BioBlitz, which includes events for the public.
Environment Week 2009 is also an opportunity for the Department of Environment to say thank you to its environmental partner groups. These community groups, environmental organizations, municipalities, businesses, and individuals are regular partners with government on projects and programs that help the environment. A healthy environment contributes to stronger communities and a more sustainable economy.
These partner groups' efforts have helped Nova Scotia reduce harmful air emissions, protect more wilderness, fight climate change, increase water protection, attack the litter habit, and become a recycling role model to the world.
Their contributions represent the spirit of giving back to the Earth, part of the annual message of Environment Week.
Details of BioBlitz 2009 are at www.smu.ca/bioblitz .
More environment week activities in Nova Scotia are listed at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/environmentweek .
Information about Nova Scotia's vision for the environment and the economy, Second Nature, and about climate change, the anti-litter fight and other ways to protect the environment is available at www.gov.ns.ca/nse .