Hikers Herald: August 2022

Our new fall course schedule is up and there’s lots to do! Check out the call for support for the Seawall Trail and read about an adventure to earn the Biodiversity Hiker Challenge Badge.


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Fall slate of Courses & Webinars


This fall is a busy time for Hike NS with all sorts of learning opportunities:


Webinars: 

  • Sept. 13: Lost in the Woods
  • Sept. 20: Intro Hiking
  • Oct. 5: How to Get a Hiking Group Started
  • Nov. 1: Happy Feet 
  • Nov. 23: Intro to Hiking webinar
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Courses & Workshops:

  • August 23 & 25: Re-Connecting with Nature workshops for teachers, Wolfville and Middle Musquodoboit 
  • Sept. 12: NS Walks Walk Leader virtual training (register by Sept. 11)
  • Sept. 24: Re-Connecting with Nature workshop, Sydney
  • Sept. 24-25: Navigation Maps & Compass course, Bedford
  • Oct. 15-16: Field Leader - Hiking course, Bedford
  • Oct. 15-16: Navigation Maps & Compass course, Digby
  • Oct. 15-16: Leave No Trace workshop, Truro
  • Oct. 22-23: Field Leader - Hiking course for LGBTQIA2S+ folks, Chester
  • Oct. 22-23: Field Leader - Hiking course, St. Peter's
  • Nov. 5-6: Navigation Maps & Compass course, Wolfville

  

Learn more and register here.

Trail Builder Workshop & Webinars

Fundraising for Trails Online Discussions: Sept. 27 or 28

Find out about trends in fundraising, strategies and some neat, practical ideas to get your trail fundraising on track. Learn more and register here.

 

Trail Workshop: Bridge Replacement and Show & Tell Sept. 17, Earltown

Do some hands-on learning by helping to replace a bridge and learn how work was done on the Gully Lake trails, get tips and share ideas. Learn more and register here.

Take the Challenge: Biodiversity Badge


By Jonathan Riley, Hike Nova Scotia Board President

 

I recently had a lot of nature-fun earning the Hike Nova Scotia Biodiversity Challenge badge... Hike Nova Scotia’s Biodiversity badge was put together through a partnership with Nature Nova Scotia; and basically, the challenge is to observe the natural world around you as you hike. To earn the badge, you have to do 10 hikes and submit 10 observations from each hike via iNaturalist (see below for more info).


More by good luck than good management, I started working on this challenge just before a week of cross-province travel – so I ended up with a great snapshot of the timing of spring blooms across Nova Scotia.


Read the full post here

Take the Trail User Survey


There’s a move afoot in the trail sector to hear from trail users on concerns that are most important to you as a member of our trails community in Nova Scotia. Participate in the survey below and help positively influence behaviour on the trails we all share.


Your input will help shape a communications campaign aimed to inspire positive trail use for all. Find the survey here.

Seawall Trail Call for Support


The goal of the Seawall Trail is to build a world class, multi-day hiking trail along the coast and cliffs of Northern Cape Breton Island. It has hit a fairly large roadblock in losing some political support. Watch this video and add your voice. Help the Seawall Trail Team show there is wide public support for making this amazing trail a reality! Watch the video and take action here.

Supporting Nature Conservation


Support Nature with a Climate Adaptation Strategy

Hike NS joined over 90 groups across Canada to call for a climate adaptation strategy that focuses on nature. The initiative is urging the federal government to ensure that Canada’s first-ever climate adaptation strategy advances the protection of critical ecosystems (forests, wetlands, coastlines and oceans) upon which our survival depends.


Forgotten Forest: Help protect Wabanaki Forest in NS

Community Forests International, a Maritimes environmental non-profit, is currently running a campaign to help protect and restore 2,500 acres of the Wabanaki forest - also known as the Acadian forest - across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. If conserved, these forests will provide endless climate and community benefits, from carbon storage to wildlife habitats.

Other Neat Events Coming Up


International Geocaching Day: Aug. 20

International Geocaching Day is on August 20. It’s a day when geocachers worldwide come together for a day of celebration and smiles. Learn more here


Bluff Trail Group AGM: Sept. 1

The Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization, the group that manages the Bluff Trail in Timberlea, is having its AGM on September 1. Learn more here


Hike the Highlands Festival Sept. 9-18

Hike the Highlands is a ten-day hiking festival on the Cabot Trail and Northern Cape Breton that features guided hikes and other activities. Learn more and register here.

Quick Hiking/Trail News Hits

These are some news hits from Twitter and Facebook:


  • Make the most of your summer downtime view
  • Take a hike: Cape Breton trails of all skill levels view
  • 26 rare species inside proposed N.S. wilderness area, say researchers view