Posted in Travel

MicroAdventure : Annapolis Royal

Posted on by maherrv

Edward has been pushing me to expand my thinking on Alastair Humphreys’ micro-adventures concept (also, see post Explore Local). We returned from New Glasgow on Wednesday. So yesterday, we were ready to explore local.

I kicked off the day with the Senior Men’s Strength class at CORAH. Eighteen were in attendance.

Afterwards, Heather was up for a trip to Annapolis Royal (AR). The drive down Highway #1 was stunning: hoar frost on the trees, blue sky above.

We started, as usual, at the bookstores, the Mad Hatter and Mare Gold. Geoff Butler was on duty at Mare Gold. Heather found a reference book, Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces: photographs, maps, and collection history. This will come in handy for Summer.

Next stop, was ARTSPLACE Gallery on George Street. We enjoyed Sandra Smirle’s exhibition, “Wrought”.

She repurposes abandoned or ‘ghost’ ropes from the sea. ‘ Smirle has also been featured in the Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography, published by Princeton Architectural Press.

Up the road, we stopped at the AR Historic Gardens.

In the shop, we smiled at the garden ornament ‘Down Lost Memory Lane’. We were surprised that the trails had not been cleared. Next time, bring snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Time for a snack.

Tea and samosa at the Brown Dog Kitchen Cafe at the AR Library.

We needed some ‘light’ reading. “Let’s see what they have in the non-fiction section”. We hit pay dirt. We found three ‘heavy’ books.

For me, Donald Savoie, Democracy in Canada: The disintegration of our institutions. I have always found Savoie’s writing on regional economic development in Atlantic Canada profound and thought-provoking.

Heather found Johan Norbert’s, Open: How Collaboration and Curiosity Shaped Humankind and Manno Schilthuizen’s, Darwin Comes to Town: How the Urban Jungle Drives Evolution.

We headed home on Hwy #201. Stopping briefly in Bridgetown for a few grocery items. By this time, the hoar frost had melted off the trees. Exhilarated, we were keen to dig a path from the back door down to the greenhouse.

This was just a simple example of exploring local (see also, posts Hidden Treasures and For Viram). It motivates me to have that difficult conversation with the administration, faculty, and students at COGS on the need for a ‘Geography of Annapolis County’. Together, we can do it!

References

Donald J. Savoie, 2019, Democracy in Canada: the Disintegration of our Institutions, McGill-Queens University Press.

Johan Norbert, 2021, Open: How Collaboration and Curiosity Shaped Humankind, Atlantic Books.

Philip G. deMaynadier, et al, 2023, Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Cornell University Press.

Menno Schilthuizen, 2018, Darwin comes to Town: How the Urban Jungle Drives Evolution, Picador

Acknowledgements

Edward continues to contribute both his artistic talent and links to relevant readings. Heather brings her natural history and enthusiasm for outdoor adventures.

Postscript

Recognizing that we were home, last Thursday we celebrated and had lunch at the Bee’s Knees; home-made soup, quiche, and coffee.

Posted in Uncategorized

Shovelling and Puzzling

Posted on by maherrv

We arrived in New Glasgow last Friday. Over the weekend, we were impacted by a severe Winter storm. (Email note to Edward: “We are stranded in New Glasgow for a few days by a heavy Winter snowfall“.)

The days have combined shovelling the cars out of the driveway and finishing a one thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle, Songbird Tree.

The first strategy was to complete each of the birds. The second was to find each of the individual flowers scattered throughout the scene. Each flower had a different colour combination and a number of petals. The final strategy was to recognize that each puzzle piece had a unique shape. This, of course, started with finding the edge pieces.

The secret of success is to combine these individual strategies and maintain a holistic approach. Seems like a recipe for problem-solving. The same would be true when shovelling out cars lost in a two-metre snow drift.

It did not take much consideration to recognize that our quick weekend run has turned into a multi-day stay. We should be able to return mid-week.

On Saturday night, we were able to indulge in a ‘Brit-night’ on Maine PBS — “As Time Goes By”, and “Doc Martin”; afterward, Kate Humble’s “Coastal Britain”. The Southwest Coastal Path boasts the Valley that inspired R.D. Blackmore’s 1869 novel “Lorna Doone”. It certainly made me want to return to that part of England.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Edward for the graphics. Thanks to John Stewart for his hospitality.

Posted in New thinking

Explore Local: a microadventure concept and its implementation

Posted on by maherrv

This week, I have been influenced by two books. John Terpstra’s ‘Falling into Place’ and Alastair Humphreys’, ‘Local: A Search for Nearby Nature and Wildness’.&

Terpstra is published locally by Gaspereau Press, Kentville.

Humphreys is a British writer who is giving a talk at FOLDE in Dorset, UK next month (image taken from website).

COGS has been around since the end of the Second World War (initially as NSLSI). My connection goes back to 1980. Over the decades we have created a very intensive learning environment in a very rural setting.

What I want to do is produce a book (hard copy and online) that provides students with the opportunity to explore the local landscape. The content of the book would come from the literature, previous faculty and students, and current residents. In Humphreys terminology, a ‘suite of micro-adventures.’ Each microadventure would include an author, a map, details of the reason for the adventure, GPS points, photographs.

Here are ten plus, microadventures (off the top of my head).

Konrad’s mountain bike ride

Heather’s hike up to the Inglisville road

Mike Goodchild’s bicycle trip from Annapolis Royal

Peter Wyman’ s story about Delaps Cove

Dave Whitman and the Roxbury cycle ride

Valley View Park and beyond

Debby’s ride to Middleton

Canoeing the Annapolis River

The Big Chill Snowshoe Marathon

Walking from Bridgetown to Middleton along the crest of North Mountain

Bob’s nostalgia for Ernest Buckler and West Dalhousie

Lunn’s Mill loop through the Lawrencetown tree nursery.

Bridgetown WALKS

How would this work ?

I would collaborate with Edward to create a general template i.e. text, map, photographs, art, GPS points.

We would work with COGS faculty and students to ensure standardization of information, quality control, online version.

We would ask COGS to consider publication costs. Every student at COGS would gain an understanding of the history of the institution, information needed to initiate their own micro-adventure, away from the computer screen.

Initially, the focus would be on Annapolis County and outdoor activities. If the model is successful, we could expand beyond the county boundaries and include other aspects of ‘local’ e.g. museums, bookstores, food suppliers, restaurants and pubs.

I am looking for reaction/comments/ other examples. In a ‘perfect world’ , we would have a ‘Geography of Annapolis County’ centred on COGS in Lawrencetown.

Acknowledgements

Edward and Heather have both shared in these ‘micro-adventures’

References

John Terpstra, 2002, Falling into Place, Gaspereau Press

Alastair Humphreys, 2023, Local: A Search for Nearby Nature and Wildness.

Posted in Nature, Opinion

Two meetings; two questions

Posted on by maherrv

Sunday (28th), Heather and I attended two meetings.

First, it was the Save Our Old-growth Forest (SOOF) meeting at the Bridgetown Legion (see also previous posts Saving Forests, Twice To Annapolis Royal, and A Day in the Life). The Arlington Forest Preservation Society provided an update for the community. Nina Newington gave an update on their work on South Mountain between Highway #10 and Highway #8, and included a proposal to protect some rare lichen habitat.

Later, Heather and I met with John Wightman. John was interested in the status of lichens in the region and their relationship to his mineral exploration activity. Heather came with a selection of authoritative lichen texts (check out previous post The Bookshelf, and also listen to Montana Public Radio’s Whether Lichens Coceal or Reveal Depends on What You’re Looking For).

At the end of the day, we were both exhausted; trying to understand the position of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

It left me with two simple questions. However, before I pose the questions, overnight there was time for reflection. In the mid-70’s we were in Ottawa. I was working at the National Herbarium. I produced a publication on the Rare Plants of Nova Scotia. Besides helping to raise two boys, I was surrounded at work by taxonomists: lichens (Irwin Brodo), mosses (Bob Ireland) willows (George Argus). For the publication, we worked with Paul Keddy and David White.

Here are my two questions:

  1. Given that the streams of South Mountain flow into the Annapolis Valley, why are we spraying glyphosate on the forests in the region? It impacts the water supply and the forest ecology.
  2. Given the presence of old-growth forest on South Mountain, why can we not map these forest stands and ensure that they are part of the ecosystem complex into the future?

These lands could be the basis of a provincial commitment to conserve a percentage of crown land from forest activity (see previous post What is Truth?).

It is hard for Heather and myself with our botanical and geographic interests to simply sit back and watch the squabbling in our own backyard. Can we not take a more collaborative approach to answering these two simple questions, based on good science?

Reference

Robert Maher, David White, George Argus and Paul Keddy, 1977, The Rare Vascular Plants of Nova Scotia, Syllogeus 18, Published by the National Museum, Ottawa.

Posted in Event Review

Antique Maps tour

Posted on by maherrv

Today (Thursday, 25th), Heather and I joined the Antique Maps tour at COGS. Our guides were Andrew Hannam and Chelsea Heighton. The collection contains over 2500 antique maps, atlases and books that once belonged to Walter Morrison, David Raymond and Leslie Marcus. The event was organized by the Centre of Rural Aging and Health (CORAH), NSCC Annapolis Valley campus, Middleton.

I knew both Walter and Dave from my time teaching at COGS. From the tour, I gained a new appreciation of Walter’s interest in the history of map production. At the same time, it was good to see the local maps for the Annapolis Valley, Louisburg , Halifax. It is hard to estimate the value of these maps. They deserve a wider audience, perhaps with an exhibition in Halifax.

Walking the corridors, I noticed a display by the COGS Library which named the current programs offered on-site and on-line at COGS. Later I returned to the campus to photograph this display.

Resident programs (2023-24) include:

  • Survey
  • Marine Geomatics
  • GIS
  • Remote Sensing
  • GIS Technician
  • IT Programming

Online programs include:

  • Cartography and Geovisualization
  • Geospatial Data Analytics.

Residential-Online programs include:

  • GIS
  • GIS technician.

This display was the first time that I have been able to discern programs that are solely online, and those that are available both on-site and on-line.

Hopefully this will help the wider public better understand our modern learning environment.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Andrew Hannam and Chelsea Heighton for the tour and the display.

Posted in Event Review

Industry Expo at COGS

Posted on by maherrv

COGS hosted its annual industry expo, starting on Monday evening with two keynote presentations and a social at Lunn’s Mill. Tuesday was a full day including company presentations and an industry panel. In the gymnasium, there were forty industry partner booths.

My interests were three fold:

  1. To understand the suite of technologies currently taught at COGS;
  2. What were the expectations of the industry partners ?
  3. What are the programs offered at COGS today ?

The Monday evening keynotes were delivered by Justin Chang, MOBIA and Frank King, Halifax Water, both graduates from COGS, working in Halifax.

Tuesday , I had the opportunity to meet some of the industry partners. This included Derek Weatherbe from ESRI , Redlands; Simeon Roberts, Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors and Colin MacDonald, provincial government.

I attended the industry panel, focussed on tips for finding a job; and a presentation on NSCC Applied Research. This includes research with industry partners into Energy, Engineering technology, Environment and Agriculture, Geomatics, IT and Social Science, across all of the NSCC campuses.

My relationship with COGS started in 1980 teaching in the Scientific Computer Programming program, through to 2011 with the Applied Geomatics Research Group. I was Head, Department of Computer Programming 1980-88. Between 1988-2000, I worked for EMDI Indonesia, ESRI, OMNR and Royal Roads University. I returned to COGS to set up AGRG in 2000.

I was seeking to understand the current programs at COGS. In the 1980’s we had three departments: Surveying, Computer Programming and Cartography/Planning. Today, we have a wide range of technologies: new sensors, new platforms (eg drones) and new software environments (eg Artificial Intelligence)

Given these rapidly changing technologies, what has happened to the science of Geography, and its application, in a rapidly changing world?

From the ESRI brochure:

“At ESRI we bring meaning to maps. We pioneer problem solving using geographic information systems (GIS) and we believe the geographic approach can transform the world by unlocking data’s full potential in every organization. Our users are creating the maps that are changing the world and shaping our future.”

Acknowledgements

David MacLean helped me navigate the Expo. I had useful conversations with a number of the exhibitors. Edward Wedler put in his time as a Remote Sensing instructor at COGS. Our collaboration continues today.

Reference

Map your career at ESRI, 2023, ESRI.com/careers/#esriexperience

Posted in Uncategorized

The Story of COGS (one more time)

Posted on by maherrv

After attending the industry expo, I was moved to write the story of COGS (again).

I wanted to ensure that the current students are aware of the importance of ‘story telling’ and ‘a sense of place’.

This blog post is a short précis; top of mind.

It starts with Major Church and his survey school in Lawrencetown, after the Second World War (see post Never Retire).

This led to the addition of Cartography, the hiring of Walter Morrison and John Wightman (pic shown).

At the industry expo, the librarian Andrew Hannam had prepared an excellent display in the Boardroom of Walter’s antique map collection (see post Map Stories).

From John Wightman, we link to Roger Tomlinson who was teaching at Acadia University and is remembered as the ‘father of GIS’ (see post Journey Back in Time).

In the 1980’s it was recognized that there was a need for computer technology and GIS. This was when I stepped onto the stage. This step created a strong link between COGS and ESRI/ESRI Canada. The story has unfolded from there.

For today’s student. I would encourage them to understand this place and landscape. Read the local story tellers, especially David Manners, Ernest Buckler and, more recently, Bob Bent. Take the drive up the Morse Road from Bridgetown to West Dalhousie. Walk through Valley View Park, above Bridgetown, and head across North Mountain towards Middleton. Get on your bicycle, ride the Harvest Moon trail to Annapolis Royal. Stop at Grand Pre and admire the cartography of Marcel Morin. Take a drive to Port George on the Bay of Fundy.

Enjoy!

Postscript

This evening (Wednesday), Heather and I are joining Jeannie Barteaux to see the fantasy movie, The Boy and the Heron at the Kings Theatre, Annapolis Royal animated by Hayao Miyazaki. Thanks, Jeannie.

Posted in Event Review

SOOF Soup Sunday

Posted on by maherrv

Today, I attended the Save Our Old Growth Forests (SOOF) meeting at the Centrelea Community Hall. The hall was full, about sixty in attendance, of all ages.

The meeting was part of the SOOF campaign coordinated by the Arlington Forest Protection Society (AFPS) (see previous post Saving Forests),

It is surprising to me; it is four years since we were camping out in protest against the clearcutting and spraying on South Mountain (see previous posts Anatomy of a Protest, A Green Future?, and Striking Balance).

Besides the excellent lunch, we received an update on the proposed Goldsmith Lake and Beals Brook Wilderness Areas. This will be followed by a public meeting at the Bridgetown Legion (next Sunday, 1:30 – 3:30 pm).

’Over 23,000 acres have been identified by the NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, as potential sites for clearcutting and spraying on Crown Land in Annapolis County.’

At the meeting today, I learned that there are petitions in Pictou, Colchester, Cumberland, Yarmouth, Halifax and Digby, as well as Annapolis County.

Today’s event raised a number of questions.

What was the condition of the Forest in Nova Scotia, after the shipbuilding era?

Is there agreement on the definition of Old Growth Forest?

When the provincial government looks at crown land in Nova Scotia, what is their definition of old growth? Is it the same as AFPS’ definition?

What is the probability there will be further clearcutting and spraying on Crown Land in Annapolis County?

Acknowledgements

Rob and Laura Bright at AFPS for organizing the event. Nina Newington for sharing her experience of old growth in Annapolis County.

References

YouTube video The Return of Old Growth Forests, New England Forests

Posted in Article Review, Event Review

Lazy Friday

Posted on by maherrv

We wanted to make lasagna for Supper. Time to visit Atlantic Superstore in Kingston. Afterwards, we enjoyed our customary short walk through the Kingston village park (aka Stronach Park).

Since we were near Greenwood, let’s stop at the Inside Story bookstore. In the magazine section, I found the latest issue of the Nova Scotia Journal of Sustainable Community Development (Spring/Summer 2023).

Articles included ‘ Investment firm energizes Annapolis area economy’ — the story of Annapolis Investments in Rural Opportunities (AIRO). The work of Jane Nicholson and Adele MacDonald.

A second story was The River Rescuers: how a community came together for sustainable change in addressing pollution in the LaHave River (Lunenburg County).

On our return home, we stopped at Bees Knees in Lawrencetown. It was a lucky day for hand pies, quiche and brown bread.

It was a lucky day for hand pies, quiche and brown bread (check out their Facebook site)

Next week will be busy. One Tuesday, COGS campus hosts the Industry Expo in Lawrencetown. Thursday will be Antique Maps: a Journey through time and place (again at COGS).

Friday, it’s my time to pay attention to the body — men’s strength and fitness at CORAH, NSCC Middleton.

In the Bridgetown Reader, I see that they are recruiting a General Manager for the Annapolis Valley Exhibition. I hope there is a community vision to link the geographic sciences at COGS with the opportunity for educational events that apply these technologies to agriculture at the Exhibition.

Acknowledgements

Heather brought along her favourite lasagna recipe. I checked out the book shelves. Edward contributed the graphics.

References

Nova Scotia Journal of Sustainable Community Development. Spring/Summer 2023.

Centre for Local Prosperity centreforlocalprosperity.ca

Posted in Uncategorized

Loose Ends

Posted on by maherrv

After returning home from British Columbia, there remain a few loose ends. On our drive between Rossland and Kelowna, there were trucks on the highway, salting and spreading gravel. We sustained a flying rock to the windscreen. This week, I was dealing with the car rental company and my auto insurance.

I also found on my return that I was unable to update the operating system on my iPad. It required more space. After conversations with Kyle at Bridgetown Computing, it seems that I am destined to update my ‘go to’ technology.

This week, I have been thinking about long distance walks. This started with Emergence Magazine, an interview with Paul Salopek. He has been on a 24,000 mile journey retracing the migration pathways of the earliest humans who migrated out of Africa in the Stone Age.

This coincided with an interview on the CBC with Rory Stewart. This led me to Lawrencetown library and his book ‘How not to be a politician : a memoir (published in the UK as Politics on the Edge).

Finally, in this week’s Guardian Weekly, ‘English coastal route on the path to completion’.

’To date, 616 km are awaiting approval while 3697 km have been signed off. Of those 2019 have work in hand and 1673 km completed’. To circumnavigate the country would be a wonderful achievement. See the Guardian’s King Charles III England Coast Path article).

Photo by Graeme Robertson, The Guardian (LINK)

Postscript

While away from home over the Christmas break, the Bridgetown Reader has morphed from a handy-sized record of local events into a full-sized newspaper. Fortunately, it contains the same valuable community content.

Acknowledgements

Kyle at Bridgetown Computing helped diagnose the limitations of my trusty iPad. Heather shared the harrowing drive through the Kootenays. Edward added the graphic content and links.

References

Emergence Magazine, Sunday January 14, 2024, A Path Older than Memory: an interview with Paul Salopek.

Rory Stewart, 2023, Politics on the Edge: a Memoir from Within, Penguin Books

The Guardian Weekly, January 5, 2024. p9, English coastal route on the path to completion.
The Guardian Weekly, December 28, 2023, Path of Much Resistance