Author: maherrv

Posted in biographical sketch

Seeds of Hope

Posted on by maherrv

As we approach the end of 2020, it seems appropriate to look for hopeful signs on the horizon for 2021. Two of the signs were forwarded by Anne Crossman.

  1. Announcement from the Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust.
  2. Hiring of the Founding Principal for Gordonstoun Nova Scotia School

The third sign comes from the quarterly newsletter of Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve.

LINK to Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve website: https://blbra.ca/

The Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Trust of $50m was announced in February 2020. The NSCC will receive funding for a potentially multi-year project of up to $2m. The Forestry Innovation Voucher program will enable established businesses, new startups, non-profit community groups and Mi’kmaq partners to leverage the college’s infrastructure.

In 2021, we look forward to an official announcement of a Gordonstoun Nova Scotia founding Principal and any opportunity to connect the school’s interests with those at COGS/AGRG.

The Bras d’Or Lake BR newsletter includes a number of articles related to activities in Cape Breton. Specifically, there is information on climate change. Given the challenges in the Southwest Nova BR, this newsletter suggests a path forward.

At COGS/AGRG they have had an established climate network. A newsletter would allow sharing of this information with the local community. The same is also true of sea level rise, species at risk and the status of invasive species.

Rather than complain about the conflict between forestry practices and other values, let’s make sure that all members of the community have the best available information.

These seeds of hope suggest that we can better connect our educational institutions with the community at large, as well as the global community. We can collectively prepare ourselves for changes in our geography: economic, social and physical geography. The values of UNESCO-MAB will stand us in good stead.

Postscript

In New Glasgow, I have had the chance to re-read Dave Whitman’s book on Stephen McNeil. It offers useful insight into the politics of the Annapolis Valley. At the same time, it illustrates why we need to maintain a global perspective.

A video interview with Richard G. Thorne, Pro Tem Principal for Gordonstoun Nova Scotia, gives some insight to the Gordonstoun School background and mindset.

Acknowledgements

Anne Crossman for searching of the web. Edward and Heather for their support.

References

Dave and Paulette Whitman, 2014, Premier Stephen McNeil: a Story of a Nova Scotian Family, Bailey Chase Books

Posted in Opinion

A Time of Transition

Posted on by maherrv

This morning (Sunday), Heather left early to attend a Winter Solstice ceremony in Annapolis Royal.

Meanwhile, I am trying to adjust to the changes in government. At the municipal level, the departure of John Ferguson and Bruce Gillis. At the provincial level, Stephen McNeil has shut down the government process. What can we expect?

Clearly, the COVID pandemic will continue through 2021. Will we take the time to reinvent the democratic processes? Will we see a more inclusive approach towards communities and citizens?

Yesterday, I met with good friend, Paul Colville. As part of the conversation, we reflected on the changes in the rural economy of Nova Scotia over the last forty or more years. What was influencing those changes? Have the changes in our technologies made life easier or more challenging? There is the potential to be more informed, but what about the content of that information?

Every Sunday, I receive electronically, Brain Pickings. This week, the Annual Special : Favourite Books of 2020. It includes reference to twenty books. This is far too much for me to absorb.

What is not changing?

I could say, the birds looking for winter food, or the wintery weather. The view across the Valley to North Mountain. The need to load wood into the stove. And yet, if we look closely, these elements of the exterior environment are indeed changing too. In some cases, imperceptibly slowly.

The optimist in me, says that perhaps the human systems are changing too, also imperceptibly. And in what direction? My fear is that while we are caught up in the pandemic we, as a society, are unable to do two or more things at the same time. Even though, they are complexly intertwined.

Postscript

Illustration by Christelle Enault as in Emergence Magazine

From Emergence Magazine, The Serviceberry: an Economy of Abundance, essay by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Podcast available at the link).

Posted in Opinion

A Sad Day

Posted on by maherrv

It’s a sad day when a forestry company has to issue a court injunction against a group of citizens who are seeking to protect forest values. What has happened to the role of government to balance competing interests? Are crown lands supposed to be managed for multiple values?

We can do better. The technologies exist for detailed management of the landscape. This includes tree species, wildlife species, soil conditions, water and air quality. The same is true of our seascape. In other jurisdictions, it is no longer a race to the bottom. There are other values besides the $$$.

What needs to change?

  1. the accountability of government.
  2. the accountability of our educational institutions.
  3. citizen engagement.

We need a society which values our differences. That recognizes the richness of our landscape/seascape and its capacity to support a wide range of viewpoints. We should be a haven for different perspectives and points of view.

Southwest Nova Scotia did not embrace the biosphere reserve concept to see it ‘flushed down the toilet’ because of the inability of our government representatives to understand that society can uphold multiple values.

Let’s wake up! If not now, at least after the COVID pandemic is over. Indeed, now we have the time to think about doing things differently. If the politicians don’t understand it, then let’s change them. In turn, if the civil servants don’t understand it, then let’s change them. If educational institutions don’t understand it, let’s change the teaching and research agendas.

Perhaps, we could start by renaming the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry to the Nova Scotia Department of Landscape Ecology. A radical idea. Meaningless, unless there is a change in behaviour.

Posted in biographical sketch, Nature

Amaryllis

Posted on by maherrv

In the Bridgetown Reader, I noticed an advertisement for MareGold bookstore. However, I had never visited. This time, I checked the web site MareGold.com and discovered both a retreat centre at Victoria Beach, as well as an excellent online bookstore.

This week, I received two books for Christmas from Amazon. Thank you, Patrick. I will savour them in the days ahead.

Zena Hitz 2020, Lost in Thought: the Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life, Princeton University Press.

Lars Mytting, 2015, Norwegian Wood: Chopping, stacking and drying wood the Scandinavian Way, Abrams Image, NY.

On our trip to Kentville, I had time to stop at Shelf Life where I found a copy of Eric Enno Tamm’s Beyond the Outer Shores: the untold story of Ed Ricketts, the pioneering ecologist who inspired John Steinbeck and Joseph Campbell. This is the rediscovery of a book that I reviewed when in Haida Gwaii.

At Chisholm’s, I purchased Donald Savoie’s Thanks for the Business: KC Irving, Arthur Irving and the Story of Irving Oil. This was triggered by my interest in the logging of Southwest Nova by the Irving Woodlands group.

Alfred Russell Wallace (circa 1895)

Today (Sunday) Brain Pickings included two noteworthy pieces. From Robinson Jeffers :

“But I would have each person realize that his contribution is not important, it’s success not really a matter for exultation nor its failure for mourning; the beauty of things is sufficient without him”

From Alfred Russell Wallace:

“The struggle for wealth, and its deplorable results (in the human sphere) have been accompanied by a reckless destruction of the stored-up products of nature, which is even more deplorable because more irretrievable.”

Postscript

In Bridgetown, at the pharmacy, we noticed some Christmas cards on the counter drawn by a local high school student. We had to admire both the artistic talent and the entrepreneurship.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Patrick, Heather and Edward. They all contributed to the blog,

References

Zena Hitz, 2020, Lost in Thought: the Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life, Princeton University Press.
Lars Mytting, 2015, Norwegian Wood: Chopping, stacking and drying wood the Scandinavian Way, Abrams Image, NY.
Eric Enno Tamm, 2004, Beyond the Outer Shores: the untold story of Ed Ricketts, the pioneering ecologist who inspired John Steinbeck and Joseph Campbell, Raincoast Books.
Donald Savoie, 2020, Thanks for the Business: K.C. Irving, Arthur Irving, and the Story of Irving Oil, Nimbus Publishing.

Posted in Article Review

Mapping Annapolis County

Posted on by maherrv

One of the community mapping initiatives that came out of the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) in the last ten years was MapAnnapolis.

It combines research by local citizens with mapping technology available through students from COGS. In response to my recent question on its status, Heather LeBlanc sent me the link to their web site. She mentioned, too, that they are currently upgrading the site with interactive videos and the use of Esri storyboards. The new version should be completed in early 2021.

Map: Acadian settlements.

The MapAnnapolis web site includes heritage properties, the Garrison graveyard, Acadian settlements, Black Loyalist history, cemeteries and churches, Bear River Artist studios, and more.

The Story of COGS project focused on the lives both JB Hall and Major Church. This complements the web site by Heather Stewart and myself on the story of COGS.

To date, I have received no new information on either Community Counts or the CLICK project. The first was a provincial initiative and the second supported by the municipalities. Given the COVID necessity for online learning, it is unlikely that we will see the return of local field work at COGS to support community mapping in the near term.

Yesterday, I had a fitness session to stretch the body. This compensates for an excess of sitting and reading. It is important to recognize the same need to stretch the mind. The COVID restrictions offer up the time, however it is now more challenging to share the ideas through the face to face social network.

I did manage to complete my reading of Harold Horwood’s memoir. Besides his opinions on many Canadian authors, from Farley Mowat to Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson to Margaret Lawrence and Alice Munro, Horwood recounts his travels in Atlantic Canada. He also took several longer trips across Canada and the United States. He provides a detailed natural history of these foreign places.

Acknowledgements

Heather LeBlanc for her web site update. Heather for COVID company. Edward for support.

References

MapAnnapolis go to mapannapolis.ca
Harold Horwood, 2000, Among the Lions, Killick Press.
The Story of COGS. see web site thestoryofcogs.ca

Posted in biographical sketch

AGRG at 20

Posted on by maherrv

This week, the Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) in Middleton celebrated their twentieth anniversary. It was the first Applied Research unit at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

In 2011, Chris Hopkinson, Jeff Wentzell and I left the group. Chris went to Alberta and established his own research team. Jeff joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. I retired and then travelled with Heather on a variety of her Parks Canada assignments, to Baffin Island, Haida Gwaii, Churchill and Sable Island. More recently, I have been writing my blog.

As a follow up to the previous blog on Community Mapping, I contacted Brent Hall at ESRI Canada. I was interested in the potential to act a Geography mentor to my grandchildren. They are scattered from British Columbia, Ontario and Nunavut. I was curious if there was a program for children under ten years old. To my surprise, I discovered the GIS Ambassador Program which I will investigate further in the months ahead.

Click HERE for ESRI Ambassador Program

Further to the discussion on clearcutting and spraying on crown land, I can also report that Doug Hickman has offered a very clear response to SNBRA, UNESCO and the provincial government.

“The issues we highlighted are the types of forestry that are being practised and the location on crown lands where they are being practised (in this case within the UNESCO-designated Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve).”

The engagement of the next generation in mapping our changing communities and the specifics of land use change are both worthy topics for applied Geomatics research. They would showcase the effective use of this technology in Nova Scotia and beyond.

Postscript

At the Great Expectations cafe in Annapolis Royal I found Harold Horwood’s memoir ‘Among the Lions’. Horwood lived for a number of years at Upper Clements, Annapolis County.

“Moreover, I discovered that I had invented a structure: my essays would begin with some local incident or observation, such as paddling a canoe on the Basin, working among bees and clover, examining a pond through glass-clear ice in winter. But following that, they would move from the local to the general, and from the general to the theoretical,” p.224.

Finally, I received Emergence Magazine. It contains an interesting video, Upstream, by Robert MacFarlane entitled Upstream. It follows a river in the Cairngorms to its source.

Acknowledgements

To Rocky and Debby Hebb. Support from Heather and Edward.

Reference.

Harold Horwood, 2000, Among the Lions: a lamb in the literary jungle, Killick Press.

Posted in Video Review

Community Mapping Update

Posted on by maherrv

(This blog has two links of interest: one from GoGeomatics and one from COGS).

In a recent issue of GoGeomatics magazine, there was an online interview with Alia Kotb, Community Maps Advocate at Esri Canada.

Click HERE for video interview

This peaked my interest, and reminded me of earlier initiatives in Nova Scotia. For example, Community Counts, the CLICK project and MapAnnapolis. What is the current status of these initiatives?

I raised the question with faculty at the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS). While I did not receive any definitive answers, I did have a response from Dave Maclean about the current virtual learning environment in Lawrencetown. Not being familiar with this world, I thought it worth sharing. Other members of the community may have an interest in the happenings inside the walls of COGS.

The virtual environment is global. So there is real potential to engage the GIS community in a network of mapping experiences. Here are a couple of possible examples.

One of my grandchildren lives in Iqaluit. What would it take to create a community map of the town from his perspective? Could the map be shared with his age cohort across other Northern communities? Or elsewhere in the world?

One of the issues in rural Nova Scotia is clearcutting the forests. Could we produce maps of clearcuts and potential clearcuts for Southwest Nova? Could we compare these maps of activity on crown land with equivalent maps in other countries, e.g. UK, New Zealand? If they apply ecological forestry, can we detect the difference? No spraying.

The reduction in face to face learning creates an opportunity. It can be more individualized, and less influenced by local context. Can we create customized networks around the individual needs of the community? Can we merge communities of place with communities of interest?

Acknowledgements

To Jon Murphy and Dave Maclean, both COGS graduates. Edward Wedler, COGS faculty in a earlier life.

References

GoGeomatics magazine interview, November 24, 2020.

Dave Maclean presentation for Esri Canada GIS Day Fall 2020.

Posted in Book Review

Buffer Zone

Posted on by maherrv

Today, Heather rediscovered her copy of the nomination document for the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, dated July 2001.

I was interested in checking the designation of the buffer zone. At that time, the buffer zone included:

55 sq.km within Kejimkujik National Park (zone 3 and 4)

37 sq.km provincial crown land adjoining Kejimkujik National Park

53 km lower portion of the Shelburne River

Nova Scotia Power lands at north end of Lake Rossignol and upper reaches of the Mersey River.

Crown managed lands at Indian Fields, west of Tobeatic Wilderness Area.

Endorsements (i.e. in charge of the management of the buffer zone)

Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Agriculture

Freeman and Son Ltd

Nova Scotia Power Inc.

Mersey Woodlands

Where are we today, in 2020?

Clearly the description of the buffer zone (in 2001) did not satisfy the ten year UNESCO MAB review.

Today, we need to know :

a) the 2020 definition of the buffer zone. Which lands, where and size?

b) the parties in charge of the management of the buffer zone.

In the 2001 nomination document, there is a description of the values upheld by SNBRA.

“Ultimately the identity and success of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve in addressing issues associated with advancing ecological, cultural and economic sustainability will depend on goodwill and civic spirit of the organization and citizens participating as members of the Association.”

LINK to http://agrgmaps.nscc.ca/SNBRA/

The same is true today.

On Sunday, November 29, 2020 there was an opportunity to watch the TVO documentary, Striking Balance that reaffirms these values. There is also the opportunity to protest the lack of transparency by the provincial government on its management of crown lands.

Acknowledgements

Heather produced the original submission in 2001. Edward added the graphics to this blog.

Reference

SNBRA, July 2001. Biosphere Reserve Nomination. Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve
(link to 2010 Nomination Overview document)

Posted in biographical sketch, Video Review

Striking Balance

Posted on by maherrv

Last Sunday, we saw two very different views of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Around noon, we joined the protest by Extinction Rebellion (XR) at their encampment near the Silver River Wilderness Area.

Along with fifty or so other citizens, we formed a human chain along the forest boundary. We were protesting the impact of forest harvesting on the mainland moose habitat. The area is designated crown land and forms part of the buffer zone between the core protected area, Kejimkujik National Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, and the working landscape. The Biosphere Reserve covers five counties in Southwest Nova Scotia. The mainland moose is designated as a species at risk.

In the evening on TVO, they aired the documentary Striking Balance.

Season 2, Episode 9 presented the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. This one hour program showed numerous examples of invasive species (e.g. green crab, pickerel, woolly hemlock adelgid) in the region and the efforts, particularly by Parks Canada to control their spread. Other segments looked at sea level rise and coastal communities, lichens and acid rain, plus the development of an interactive digital atlas.

What was missing, was any reference to the forestry practices and their impact on wildlife habitat. In particular, the impact of clearcutting and spraying in the buffer zone. The buffer is made up of both crown land and private land ownership.

As we drove home from Digby County to Paradise (Annapolis County) we listened to the radio. There were interviews with the three candidates for leadership of the provincial Liberal party. They all made reference to the Lahey report and its implementation in 2021. As well, there was talk about revisiting the definition of ‘crown lands’. We must wait to see whether our government can find a better balance between ecological, cultural and economic sustainability.

Meanwhile, XR will continue to occupy their encampment. We are hoping for reform within the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry — a renewed respect for the forested landscape and the habitat of species at risk — by implementing the Lahey report recommendations, redefining of crown lands, and thus reducing the need for clearcutting and spraying.

Acknowledgements

Heather Stewart, Doug Hickman, Nina Newington and many others who support this worthy cause. Edward Wedler for his graphics contribution.

Reference

Striking Balance, tvo.org Season 2 Episode 8 Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Footnote

Forest protectors from 30Nov2020 Encampment Update Note. Credit: Laura Bright.

MEDIA UPDATES
Latest coverageChronicle Herald – McNeil Turns Blind Eye to Endangered MooseNS Forest Notes – Follow the new logging roadsNS Forest Notes – Shanni Bee to Iain Rankin
Social MediaBlockade to Stop Clear-Cutting – Facebook Event pageStand up for Moose Country Rally – Facebook Event pagePhone Blitz – loggers have arrived – Facebook Event page
ACTIONS OF SUPPORT
Calling WestFor & GovernmentShow support for the blockade by calling the company in charge of the logging and the government.  
WestFor main line: 9020-530-2362Marcus Zwicker (General Manager) 902-210-7073 communications@westfor.org
See below for Derek Mombourquette’s contact information.  
Letter WritingSend a letter to the Minister of Lands and Forests and others to note your support for the blockade and request an immediate moratorium on all proposed and current logging on Crown lands from Fourth Lake south to the Napier River in Digby County.  The opinion piece by Bob Bancroft from the Chronicle Herald) Clearcuts squeeze out beleaguered mainland moose is a great resource you can use to help with crafting your letters.  Contact Info: Minister of Lands and Forests – Derek Mombourquette – Mindnr@novascotia.ca Halifax Main Office: (902) 424-5935Sydney Office: 902-562-8870Premier – Stephen McNeil – Premier@novascotia.ca  (902) 424-6600Minister of Environment – Gordon Wilson –  Minister.Environment@novascotia.ca (902) 424-3600Your MLA: https://enstools.electionsnovascotia.ca/edinfo2012/and contact info here: https://nslegislature.ca/members/profilesLeader of the Opposition – Tim Houston: pictoueastamanda@gmail.com (902) 424-2731Auditor General –  Terry.Spicer@novascotia.ca (902) 424-5907
Posted in Book Review

Bookcase 2, Shelf 6

Posted on by maherrv

Brian, my neighbour, was over this morning to fix the bookcases. They had collapsed, likely under the weight of the books. This has given me the opportunity to rediscover a number of books collected in our travels. For example, shelf 6 focuses on Haida Gwaii.

As I try to understand the stand off between the citizens in rural Nova Scotia with their concern for the forested landscape and associated species and the provincial government, intent on clear-cutting and spraying, I wonder whether there are lessons from Lyell Island on Haida Gwaii.

My starting point was the book by Joseph Weiss, Shaping the Future: life beyond settler colonization on Haida Gwaii.

Is there life beyond settler colonization in Nova Scotia?

On the same shelf, I found Islands in the Salish Sea: a community atlas.

Two quotations, from Geographers struck home. In the Preface from Robert Bateman,

“In our global, packaged world we are losing a sense of place. This is a philosophical tragedy. It results in a lack of caring, a lack of sense of community and a neglect of civil responsibility. It is also an environmental and human tragedy. For with the loss of knowledge of and intimacy with our home place, we are losing our sense of spirit.”

In the Foreword, Briony Penn:

“One thing I have learned as a professional geographer is that whoever has the maps in their hand controls the fate of the land. Cartographers have been at the forefront of turning land and nature into polygons of commodities.”

I would also recommend the writings from Robert Bringhurst and Ian Gill. For readers interested in Haida Gwaii, I have provided a list of titles from Shelf 6. Perhaps, at a later date, we can visit other shelves.

Acknowledgements

Heather shared the Haida Gwaii experience. Edward provided the graphics.

References

Joseph Weiss, 2018, Shaping the Future: life beyond settler colonization on Haida Gwaii. UBC Press.

Sheila Harrington and Judi Stevenson (Ed), 2005, Islands in the Salish Sea: a community atlas. The Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia.

Christie Harris, 1992, Raven’s Cry. Douglas and McIntyre.

Ian Gill, 2004, Haida Gwaii Journeys through the Queen Charlotte Islands, Rainforest Books.

Karen Duffek and Charlotte Townsend-Gault (Ed), 2005, Bill Reid and Beyond: expanding on modern native art, Douglas and McIntyre.

Robert Bringhurst (Ed), 2009, Solitary Raven : the essential writings of Bill Reid, Douglas and McIntyre.

Thom Henley, 2017, Raven walks around the World, Harbour Publishing.

Robert Bringhurst, 2012, A Story as Sharp as a Knife. Douglas and McIntyre.

Ian Gill, 2009, All that we say is ours: Guujaaw and the reawakening of the Haida Nation, Douglas and McIntyre.

Dennis Horwood and Tom Parkin, 2006, Haida Gwaii: the Queen Charlotte Islands, Heritage House.

Ruth Kirk, 1986, Wisdom of the Elders: native traditions on the Northwest coast, Douglas and McIntyre.

Christie Harris, 1977, Mouse Woman and the Mischief-maker, McLelland Stewart.

Sean Markey et al., 2005, Second Growth: community economic development in rural British Columbia, UBC Press.