Hike NS Enews: December 2021
Need gift ideas? There’s a shopping night coming up at The Trail Shop for Hike NS members and we’ve got Hike NS t-shirts and other ideas for you. We also say some happy and sad goodbyes.
Special Thanks & Goodbye
Hike NS is thankful for Hope Tohme, our Project Officer, who joined the Hike NS team in August as part of Nature Canada’s Work to Grow program. Hope’s main work was supporting the NS Walks program along with assisting with other Hike NS projects. Catherine and Janet will miss Hope as she moves on to hike other trails in her career.

Thank you for your hard work, new ideas and tech-savviness. Good luck, Hope!
Hike NS T-shirts & Other Gift Ideas
Just in time for the Holidays, Hike NS now has a full selection of sizes in our three main colours: Maroon, Navy and Forest. We also have some sizes left in Coal. Purchase yours online today! Need more ideas for the hiker in your life? Don’t forget to check out our member benefit partners for discounts. Find more ideas on our blog.
New Perk for Members: Zoomers Physiotherapy & Health Solutions
If you're a paid Hike NS member, then you get some pretty sweet perks, such as discounts on Hike NS events and courses and discounts at various businesses.
The newest addition is Zoomers Physiotherapy and Health Solutions. Zoomers is excited to offer special Hike NS Member Rates for healthcare services. Make your insurance coverage go further with 10% off massage therapy services and 10% off Physiotherapy Assessments!
iNaturalist Added to Hiker Challenge Youth Distance Badge
Youth groups, scouts and guides now have even more reason to earn the Youth Distance Badge through the Hiker Challenge. We’ve added identifying, recording and sharing wildlife (plant and animal) observations using the iNaturalist app as a new activity. You can also explore content in iNaturalist and make a list of what you might observe during your hike. Learn more about using iNaturalist here.
Call for Winter Guided Walks: Deadline Dec. 12
Hike Nova Scotia invites groups across NS to partner with it on delivering winter guided walks or snowshoe events in January, February and March of 2022. Hike NS will help promote events and provide a how-to guide and trail prizes to giveaway. If your municipality, First Nation or organization can organize a walk or snowshoe event (or already plan to host one), please register your event by December 12, 2021 for events between January 14 and March 13, 2022. Register your event here.
Loss of a Trail & Nature Champion
Hike NS is sad to share the news of a big loss in the trails and nature conservation community. Bob McDonald of Halifax passed away on November 18. Bob was a founding member of the Halifax North West Trails Association. He was a member of Hike NS, along with his wife Wendy, since we started back in 2007. He was also a passionate naturalist and supported many conservation efforts.
Our thoughts are with Wendy and the rest of the family. Learn more about Bob here. Tributes can also be found with Nature NS and A for Adventure. Pictured here is Bob at the 2019 launch of the provincial Trails Strategy, along with Janet Barlow from Hike NS.
Have Your Say
Old Forest Policy by Dec. 8
The NS government has released its Old Growth Forest policy and is inviting feedback until December 8. This updated policy will be an important part of the ecological forestry model. Learn more and provide feedback here.

Provincial Park Gates in Winter
On November 29, Hike NS posted on Facebook the following question that received a lot of response. Many NS provincial park gates are closed for the winter. Some think gates should stay open. What are your thoughts?
Fundraising Efforts
Hike NS raised $2,480 in our online raffle! Thanks to everyone who supported it and congratulations to Judy Reid of Aylesford who wins half of the proceeds! Thanks to some generous bidders, Hike NS made $2,875 on our Hiking for the Holidays Online Auction from November 18-27. Special thanks goes out to The Trail Shop for donating most of the items for the auction. We also thank Goose Lane Editions, Zoomers Physiotherapy & Health Solutions, Cobequid Consulting, Hampton Inn & Suites, Old Black Forest Restaurant and Allen Billy for donating items. Finally, thanks to those who supported Hike NS during Giving Tuesday on November 30. Of course, you can support Hike NS at any time of year!
Upcoming Events
  • Hike NS Member Shopping Night at The Trail Shop, Halifax & Truro: Dec. 9
  • Winter Guided Walks Deadline for groups to register events: Dec. 12 
  • NS Walks Walk Leader virtual training: Jan. 13

Quick Hiking/Trail News Hits
These are some news hits from Twitter and Facebook:

  • How Halifax Search and Rescue went viral (and other fall hiking safety tips) view
  • Visitors still forging own paths on popular Cape Breton trail despite warnings view
  • Volunteers aim to save centuries-old hemlock trees from invasive insect view
  • New walking program aims to get people moving in the community view
  • Baby on Board: New caregiver and baby hiking group hitting the trails of Digby County view
  • Developer drops controversial plans for golf courses at Owls Head view
  • 'This land belongs to the Mi’kmaq people': Historic land transfer on Nova Scotia’s south shore view
  • Ecology Action Centre calls province's lack of action on clear-cutting a 'travesty' view