Archived Posts
Natural Resources strategy in the works
July 8, 2010:The Bancroft-Crossman phase 2 report, "A Natural Balance" recommends significant changes in forest harvesting practices to conserve biodiversity and the forest resource. Please express support of their recommendations. Read moreDeadline for input on Sustainable Coastal Development Strategy extended to July 18
July 4, 2010: Wildlife and Nova Scotians alike value the Nova Scotian coast, but it is being altered and made less accessible at an alarming rate. It's important to register your concern and priorities with the N.S. Government as it develops new policies for coastal protection and development. The deadline has been extended to July 18 (June 30 previously). Read more |
Sat. July 10: N.S. Environment offers guided exploration of Wilderness Area by lake and trail
July 3, 2010: "Come explore Nova Scotia's newest Candidate Wilderness Area by lake and trail! The combined guided canoe and hiking adventure will explore Hubley Big Lake and the outer loop of The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail. " Read more at N.S. Park Events. Scroll down to July 10th.
Vandalism at the trailhead
June 25, 2010: The large sign at the trailhead for The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail was defaced sometime between June 8 and 12. The incident has been reported to police. Several members reported on this incident. Thanks. It will be addressed ASAP. We very much appreciate members - or any visitors - reporting on vandalism, trail conditions and the like. See Contact Page for how to reach us.
FBWHT & WRWEO nominated for EAC Sunshine Award
June 21, 2010: The Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust and the Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization are amongst the nominess for the EAC 2010 Sunshine Award, to be announced at their AGM on June 24th.Precautions on the The Bluff Trail
June 20, 2010: A front-page item in the Chronicle Herald today described a rescue from the Hay Marsh Loop of The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail. Apparently a couple was hiking the trail and one of them collapsed from heat stroke and exhaustion after 6 hours of walking and had to be air-lifted out. They had a cell phone which helped both to get the message out and to locate them. The event underscores our advisements related to use of The Bluff Trail, especially during these hot days.
Critical UARB hearings on Forest Biomass in July
June 15, 2010: UARB hearings related to the NSP-New Page proposal for using forest biomass to generate electricity take place end of July. Deadline for comments is July 14, 2010. More detailsMon May 31: Jamie Simpson on forest biomass
May 31, 2010: Kick off Environment Week by attending this presentation by Jamie Simpson, author of Restoring the Acadian Forest and learn more about forest biomass and how it fits into the Nova Scotia Power Inc.-New Page deal, and the New Renewable Energy Plan for Nova Scotia. 7-9 pm at SMU. More detailsHike The Bluff Trail on International Trails Day Sat. June 6th
May 28, 2010: To join in this worldwide celebration, the board members of the Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organisation (WRWEO) invite hikers and walkers in our community to hike a loop or two of The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail system on Saturday June 5th 2010. Read more
Warblers & MayFair at Jerry Lawrence Park on Sunday, May 30.
May 27, 2010: All who would like to have a great family time this Sunday May 30 are invited to the annual MayFair, sponsored by Five Bridge Wilderness Heritage Trust, at Jerry Lawrence Park (formerly called the Lewis Lake Park) on St. Margaret's Bay Road. The event goes from noon to 3 pm. For early risers, a Warbler Walk, led by Hans Toom will take place earlier in the day, meeting at 7 a.m. More info SUNDAY a.m.: MAYFAIR CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Canoe Trip into the Hay Marsh Loop of the Bluff Trail
May 24, 2010: Jim Carwardine comments on the challenges and pleasures of an outing on The Bluff Trail on May 24th, 2010 in a Photo-Report. A disappointment: garbage left at one site by previous visitors. (WRWEO promotes leave-no-trace techniques of wilderness travel.)
State of The Coast
May 16, 2010: The government released its State of the Coast report in Dec. '09. The final open house to discuss priority coastal issues will be 4-8 pm in Dartmouth, May 26th, 2010. Final feedback is due June 30, 2010. Read more
Are algal blooms becoming more common in the lakes and streams of the Woodens River watershed?
May 13, 2010: Bob Chambers has made some interesting observations on algal blooms ("green muck") on Black Point Lake Lake. Please help us to determine if such blooms are becoming more common. Read moreHow are the mayflies doing?
May 13, 2010: Red maples are just past peak flowering, leatherleaf is in full bloom, shadbush is beginning to blossom, mayflies are emerging and trout are jumping. Have you seen large hatches of mayflies on the Woodens River System this spring? Please let us know. Read more Wednesday, May 12: Silence of the Songbirds
Bridget Stutchbury will share her research findings on declining species of birds associated with continuing threats such as pesticides, loss of habitat, and the bright lights of urban areas in a special, public presentation, 7 p.m. at Dalhousie University. See poster
MAY 29 & 30: Forest and Field: Drawing and painting spring wildflowers
Apr. 21, 2010: A workshop with artist and illustrator Twila Robar-DeCoste at Harrison Lewis Centre, Port Joli. For details of this and other workshops, (e,g. Chainsaw for beginners (May 15), Heating with wood (May 16), see Harrison Lewis Centre
Five Bridges publishes Walking Guide
March 30, 2010: Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust has completed a wonderful guide for walking enthusiasts who enjoy nature and learning about our local history. It's A Walking Guide to the Old St. Margarets Bay Road. The official book launch is April 29 at Tantallon. Read more Moss Worshop, April 27-29th
March 30, 2010: This three day workshop on how to identify common mosses of Nova Scotia is set in the natural and relaxing setting of Mersey River Chalets. The workshop includes daily field trips, an introduction to the use of microscopes, identification keys, and a useful booklet. Registration by April 12. Read moreWestern Common Wilderness Common: Feedback and Open House x April 14th.
March 16, 2010: HRM is seeking feedback on its recently released Draft Master Plan for the Western Common Wilderness Common by April 14th, 2010. It is also holding an open house on Wednesday, April 14 from 6:30-9:00 pm at Brookside Jr. High School, 2239 Prospect Road. See HRM Website for the plan, where to submit comments and details of open house. 
Uneven-Aged Management Workshops
March 15, 2010: Beginning on April 24, 2010, the Uneven-Aged Management Outreach Project will offer 15 free workshops for woodlot owners and silviculture contractors at locations throughout the province.Read more
Green Map Exhibition March 15th - 19th, 2010 at SMU
March 11, 2010: As part of Sustainability Week @ Saint Mary's, the University will host a Green Map Exhibition from March 15th - 19th, 2010 to showcase some of the Green Maps their partners have created here in Nova Scotia and beyond. Read more
Consultations for Candidate Wilderness Area scheduled for March, 2010
Mar. 8, 2010: Public consultation for the Five Bridge Lakes candidate wilderness area is now underway. A page on the N.S. Environment's website provides a consultation newsletter, background documents, dates of open houses (March 10, 24, 27th), locations of information displays (available March 1 to 31). See NSE website. See pages under the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area tab at left for some background.Protecting Mainland Moose on the Chebucto Peninsula
Mar. 8, 2010: Is the Chebucto group of mainland moose sustainable? Yes, with our support and there are many benefits for conservation at large. See new pages on moose & corridors under the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area tab at left or click here.Beth McGee & Richmond Campbell receive awards
Mar. 7, 2010: Beth McGee, Chair of the Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust and long-standing member of WRWEO, and Richmond Campbell. one of the founders of WRWEO and Chair or Co-Chair since its inception, were recognized recently for their contributions towards enviromental stewardship. Beth received NSEN's Nickerson Lifetime Achievement Award and Richmond, HFN's Colin Stewart Conservation Award. Congratulations!
January Newsletter
Jan. 26, 2010: The latest issue of WRWEO Watch contains
photographs and information about the upcoming AGM on Feb 17, perspectives on
clearcutting for biomass, WRWEO's position on the
proposal to develop in the planned parkland next to the Blue Mountain- Birch Cove
Lakes protected area, and more. See Newsletters AGM Presentation (17 Feb.): Our New Candidate Wilderness Area by Land and Water.
Jan. 14 2010: Our AGM is Wednesday evening, February 17, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Tantallon Public Library. Registration and renewal of membership ($10 per person) begins at 6:30 pm. All are welcome regardless of membership. Keynote speakers David Patriquin and Dusan Soudek will provide a conceptual and pictorial tour of the Five Bridges Lakes Wilderness Area that has recently been designated as a Candidate Protected Area under Nova Scotia's Wilderness Areas Protection Act. Details. 
Jim Carwardine on Snowshoeing for Breakfast TV (Jan 15)
Jan. 14, 2010: CTV roving reporter Cyril Lunney took a lesson in snowshoeing from Jim Carwardine at the trailhead for The Bluff Trail for showing on CTV's popular Breakfast Television (7-9 am daily). Read more & see video-clips
Stone tread trail construction
Dec. 1, 2009: Wherever possible, we are now using stone tread to provide passage across wet areas, rather than wooden structures. The stone tread is more durable and has a more natural appearance. Read moreOld growth forest stands in the FBLWA
Nov. 16, 2009: An article in the November issue of The Bridge describes old growth red oak and red spruce stands in the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area (now a Candidate for protection under the Wilderness Protection Act). Additional photos are posted at versicolor.ca/forest .
Coyotes
Nov. 3, 2009: Coyotes are sighted occasionally, more often their scat, on The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail. A CBC posting about the recent fatal attack on a young woman in Cape Breton by coyotes offers the following advice on how to act if approached by a coyote. Read moreFive Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area is now a Candidate Wilderness Area
Oct. 19, 2009: Today, at a celebration for the official designation of Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act, N.S. Minister of Environment Sterling Belliveau announced that The Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area is now a Candidate Wilderness Area!See News Release
Invitation to Tender for Capital Work
on The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail
Oct. 13, 2009: Each year, WRWEO undertakes a variety of trail improvement work on The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail. Currently, we are inviting tenders for stone tread trail construction at 12 sites on loops 3 & 4. See wrweo.ca/capitalworksites.
Witch-hazel in Flower
Oct. 13, 2009: Witch-hazel, a common understory shrub/small tree in deciduous woodland on The Bluff Trail, flowers from mid-September to December. Read more
Fall colours
Sept. 25, 2009. Time to begin checking out the fall colours. Barry Perrault forwarded links to some wonderful photos taken on the Bluff Trail in the fall and winter of 2008/2009. See Photos.
The case for protection
Aug 20, 2009: The Chebucto Wilderness Coalition reviews its case for protection of the The Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area under the Wilderness Protection Act in Steering Committee Report No. 10.
Indian Cucumber Root
July 15, 2009: This species was spotted by a participant on our June 7 Nature Walk. Yesterday, there was lots of it in flower in deciduous woods on the upper part of the Pot Lake Loop. Read more
Website Reverberations
July 12, 2009: Apologies to our visitors in early July '09. Our Wordpress application went haywire for still unexplained reasons, and we have re-instituted the site in traditional HTML mode. 'Guaranteed fast and not to malfunction again!
Color Coded Trail Markers
June 26, 2009: The trail crew has just finished maintenance work on The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail. The Bluff Loop and the Hay Marsh Loop have had a "hair cut" and are now much easier to follow. In addition, colour-coded trail markers have been installed on all four loops… Read more
The Red Bog Orchids
June 25, 2009: Flashes of pink or crimson red in bogs of The Bluff Wilderness Trail and by the BLT trail this time of year could be one or more of three red bog orchids. Read more
Keep an eye out for Goldenheather
June 20, 2009: Goldenheather (Hudsonia ericoides) is in flower on the barrens around Halifax and easy to spot this time of year. (Click on the photo for a larger version.) This species commonly co-occurs with broom crowberry, which is abundant on barrens of The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail, but hasn't yet been reported for the trail. If you see it, please record the date and location (as well as you can), take a photo if possible and forward the info. to wrweo@yahoo.ca. Thanks! More about Goldenheather
Fishing Derby '09
June 16: 2009: Our Fish Derby day (June 6) was wet and cold but that didn't deter fishers. Read more
Pink Lady's Slipper
June 8, 2009: Yesterday, during our International Trails Day Nature Walk on the Bluff Trail, we saw lots of Pink Lady's Slipper in full bloom beginning near the trailhead, also Labrador Tea (by the boardwalk over the bog).
See Nature Walk Photos.
Fish Derby & Trails Day on Sat June 6, Trail Walk now on Sunday June 7
May 20, 2009: This will include two fun events side-by-side:
- Fishing Derby on Cranberry Lake
- Nature Walk on Bluff Trail
Read More
Sat. a.m: .due to rain/wet conditions, the Nature Walks is postponed until Sun Jun 7 at 10 a.m. Walk, approx 2 hours. Meet at the trail head. Note that there will be another, longer nature walk on Aug 23 (see Events).
Warber Walk, Sat. May 30
May 18, 2009: The Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust is holding its Annual Warbler Walk at Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park in Lewis Lake on Saturday, May 30 from 7 a.m. to noon. Well known bird watching enthusiast Hans Toom will lead the hike. Birders are asked to meet at the Picnic area inside the Park at 7 a.m. The warbler walk usually takes place both in the confines of the Park and along the St. Margaret's Bay Rails to Trails . The Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park is the summer home of 14 species of the twenty-one species of warblers that nest in Nova Scotia. For further information please call Beth McGee at 823-2245. See Hans Toom's The Warblers of Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park for a preview!
BioBlitz also on June 6
May 16, 2009: June 6 is a busy day… one could take in both WRWEO's International Trails Day/Fish Derby AND BioBlitz by doing the WRWEO event in the morning and joining BioBlitz in the afternoon. Regardless, an information session about BioBlitz on May 20 will have lots of relevance to The Woodens River Watershed and the larger Chebucto Wilderness Area. Read more
Spring Mayfly Hatch
May 12, 2009: Red maples are just past peak flowering, leatherleaf is in full bloom, shadbush is beginning to blossom, mayflies are emerging and trout are jumping. Have you seen large hatches of mayflies on the Woodens River System this spring? Please let us know. Read more
Comment from George Taylor of Trout Nova Scotia (May 21, 2009) The following From George Taylor of Trout Nova Scotia: "The mayfly on the Woodens starts as early as April 25 and are finished by May 8th. In the distant past on the upper system the mayfly came out in great numbers over the two weeks with new hatched every other day. It was often said that our upper lakes had the largest hatches in Nova Scotia. I remember folks who drove from Cape Breton and Shelburne 25 years ago to fish the mayfly hatch on Hubley Lake. We now have only a remnant population and with a PH of 4.6 /4.8 it is highly unlikely that we will see improvement in numbers. This year on the lower section below Long Lake the numbers looked better then in the last 8 to 10 years. The main hatch this year came on May 2nd in stronger numbers all at once which looked good but only lasted until the 6th. I expect the cold weather in April kept them down until we had a few days of record temperatures. If the hatch was spread out over the two weeks I expect the total numbers would be the same." (Message was orwarded by Brian Saulnier. )
MLA endorses WRWEO's Efforts
May 12, 2009: On Thursday, April 30, 2009, The Hon. Judy Streatch gave notice of a resolution commending the efforts of WRWEO in regard to The Bluff Wilderness Trail and in seeking protection of the larger area. Read more
blufftrail.ca will also get to this website
May 8, 2009: A WRWEO member suggested that we make blufftrail.ca an alternative domain name that connects with wrweo.ca. Done!. So if you want to tell someone how to reach us, you can say "W-R-W-E-O DOT C-A (all lower case)" or "blufftrail.ca". Thanks for the suggestion!