Friends, Shirley and Klaus Langpohl, in an email comment, made reference to Nova Scotia as a ‘Nanny State’. This took me back to the UK and the days of Margaret Thatcher. In these days of COVID and the state of Health Services in Nova Scotia, it’s hard not to be concerned about the ‘nanny state’.
To offset this thought, Heather and I watched a Zoom presentation on Glyphosate spraying and it’s impact on wildlife and forest birds. Presented by Rod Cumberland and Marc-Andre Villard, and moderated by Catherine Harrop, CBC.
It was revealing to learn that Glyphosate spraying has been banned in Quebec. Also, there is a lot of scientific evidence on the impact of Glyphosate spraying in New Brunswick. In New Brunswick, the scientific community is at odds with JD Irving and the Forest industry.
What is happening in Nova Scotia?
Last Summer, we managed to stop spraying on a few parcels. What will happen this season? From the Zoom call, we learned that the spray season tends to be August-September. The land that has been clear-cut this Winter, will it be sprayed this August/September? What happens to the residue, will it flow into the river systems? Last Summer, the village of Lawrencetown had to notify the government about our water supply.
Who will be watching in 2021?
Given the situation in Quebec and New Brunswick, why are we spraying Crown lands? This must STOP! It will only stop, if there is community engagement and we pay attention to the science.
To change the topic, and offer a more optimistic tone. From Chelsea Green Publishing, online ‘Farming for the Future: a journey into regenerative practice’ webinar series. This involves collaboration with Dartington Trust. I went to their web site.
They offer a M.A in Arts and Place. Does that sound like a good fit for Annapolis County? We have a significant number of artists living in the region AND we have a Centre of Geographic Sciences.
Dartington Trust is in Totnes, Devon, England and is linked to Schumacher College (Small is Beautiful).
Acknowledgements
Klaus and Shirley for helping me focus. Jacob Fillmore and Extinction Rebellion fighting to save our forests from clearcutting and aerial spraying. Edward and Heather contribute in so many ways.
References
Rod Cumberland and Marc-Andre Villard Zoom meeting moderated by Catherine Harrop, CBC.
Chelsea Green Publishing , Farming for the Future Webinar Series
Ernest Blair Experiment 
Bob
More good stuff here that I want to follow up on. Thanks as always.
Brian
Brian Arnott Principal Novita Interpares | Leaf + Branch
novitainterpares.ca >
LikeLike