Posted in Uncategorized

A Coincidence on Valentine’s Day

Posted on by maherrv

Friday, I received an email about an outstanding electrician bill. The contact was Heather Jackson. I decided to drop off a cheque at 3675 Clarence Road. It was my eightieth birthday and we needed to get out of the house,

Imagine my surprise, the civic address is a new house between the Elliot’s and the van Roestel’s. We owned , the Butterball (?) house, same civic address in the mid-1980’s, over forty years ago. Heather Jackson gave us a tour of the new house. Of course, it had the same view of the Valley, and the hillside up behind the Barteaux farm..

Saturday, we had scheduled brunch at the Flying Apron in Summerville to celebrate my birthday. We then stayed overnight in Suite #5. Besides the excellent food, the main floor offers a second hand bookstore. Heather found good reading by Mark Critch. I found Driving Mr. Albert. A trip across America with Einstein’s Brain.

In these comfortable surroundings, I finished Gary Leeson ‘ One Darn thing after another’. About his time as a mounted policeman in Toronto. A prequel to his book ‘ The Dome Chronicles’. I also brought along for light reading, Mike Parker ’Map Addict’. This one, I had signed out from the COGS library.

Fortunately, the roads were clear and dry. Before returning home, we took a short drive to Walton.

If you are looking for a quiet getaway, I would recommend the ambience, accommodation and excellent food at the Flying Apron.

Acknowledgements

Heather shared our Valentine’s Day tradition. Edward is away in Florida, so we will forego his graphics etc

References

Garry Leeson 2024. One Damn Thing after Another. Moose House Publications.

Mike Parker. 2023. Map Addict. Harper Collins..

Michael Paterniti. 2000. Driving Mr. Albert. A trip across America with Einstein’s brain. Delta Paperback.

Mark Critch. 2018. Son of a Critch. Viking.

Posted in New thinking

Moonshot 4: The Sustainable Energy Corridor

Posted on by Edward Wedler

AI-Geomatics
Moonshot Project 4

Our conversation with Gemini on 28th January 2025. By showcasing these innovative projects, COGS and AGRG can effectively communicate their value to the government and the people of Nova Scotia, positioning the province as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and driving sustainable economic growth.

Vision: Develop a comprehensive geospatial framework to guide the development of a sustainable energy corridor across Nova Scotia.

COGS & AGRG Role:

Resource Mapping: Utilize remote sensing and GIS to map and assess the potential for wind, solar, tidal, and hydrogen production across the province.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Conduct environmental impact assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks, such as wildlife impacts and ecosystem disturbances.

Infrastructure Planning: Develop optimal routes for transmission lines, hydrogen pipelines, and other critical infrastructure, considering environmental, social, and economic factors.

Community Engagement: Utilize interactive maps and visualization tools to engage with communities and stakeholders, ensuring their concerns and priorities are considered in the planning process.

Impact:

Sustainable Energy Development: Facilitate the responsible and efficient development of renewable energy sources, contributing to Nova Scotia’s energy transition.

Economic Growth: Attract investment in green energy technologies and create new jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Environmental Stewardship: Minimize the environmental impact of energy development and contribute to a more sustainable future for the province.

This project would directly address the Premier’s emphasis on “New-to-Nova Scotia” industries, demonstrating how geospatial technologies can play a critical role in ensuring the safe, responsible, and successful development of these sectors.

By showcasing these innovative “Moonshot” projects, COGS and AGRG can effectively communicate their value to the government and the people of Nova Scotia, positioning the province as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and driving sustainable economic growth.

See also
Moonshot 1 The Nova Scotia Digital Twin
Moonshot 2 The Ocean Intelligence Platform
Moonshot 3 The Nova Scotia Geo-Innovation Hub

After meeting with David Bowlby today, I don’t have much to add to Edward’s draft. The key issue will be the level of interest shown by students at COGS/AGRG. This could be complemented by input from the GIS industry, and their experimentation with AI.

Postscript

Edward has returned to Florida. With access to less technology, there will be fewer graphics and links over the next month.

Posted in Uncategorized

Memory Cafe

Posted on by maherrv

Yesterday, Tuesday February 11, Heather and I attended a meeting of the Memory Cafe at the Evangeline Club in Berwick. It was a one hour event at 2:30 pm. Beforehand, we went to New Minas. At the Cole’s bookstore in the mall, Heather noticed Scott Osmund’s book ‘ Hidden Nova Scotia’. We picked up a copy.

Scott is from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. He completed degrees in Civil Engineering and Geography at MUN. In 2014, he established HiddenNewfoundland.ca as a place to share the Newfoundland hidden places, lost stories and natural wonders. In hopes that it would bring awareness of its history and provide others with an opportunity for adventures. In 2021, Boulder Books published Hidden Newfoundland. Hidden Nova Scotia was published in 2023..

After New Minas we stopped at Berwick for groceries and North Mountain coffee. The Memory Cafe was recommended by N.S. Health Services, Shelley Kingston.

The format was simple. Once per month groups in different communities share time together. Yesterday the focus was on a couple of Maud Lewis prints and the songs of the Beatles. Tea, coffee and desserts were available.The music was memorable for all the couples in the room.

Afterwards, checking out Hidden Nova Scotia it includes BRITEX, Bridgetown, Upper Clements Park, Nova Scotia Textile Limited Mills, Windsor, South Maitland Railway Bridge.

This morning, John Wightman and myself had a meeting with David Bowlby, MLA Annapolis County. The conversation topic was the four Moonshots developed by Edward Wedler ( I will publish #4 this week) and the relationship between the Human Resources at COGS/AGRG and the natural resources in the region: Mining, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Reference

Scott Osmond. 2023. Hidden Nova Scotia. Boulder Books.



Posted in New thinking

Moonshot 3: The Nova Scotia Geo-Innovation Hub

Posted on by Edward Wedler

AI-Geomatics
Moonshot Project 3

Our conversation with Gemini on 28th January 2025. By showcasing these innovative projects, COGS and AGRG can effectively communicate their value to the government and the people of Nova Scotia, positioning the province as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and driving sustainable economic growth.

  • Vision: Establish a collaborative hub where industry, government, and academia can leverage geospatial technologies to address critical challenges.
  • COGS & AGRG Role: Provide expertise, training, and resources to support innovation projects in various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, transportation, tourism, and (critical) mineral exploration.
  • Impact:
    • Job Creation: Foster the growth of a skilled geospatial workforce and attract talent from around the world.
    • Economic Diversification: Drive innovation and economic growth by supporting the development of new products, services, and technologies.
    • Global Leadership: Position Nova Scotia as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and a hub for geospatial innovation.

These projects demonstrate how COGS and AGRG can leverage their expertise to address critical challenges and create a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for Nova Scotia. By showcasing their capabilities and raising awareness of their work, they can inspire the government and the public to invest in geospatial technologies and support the province’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.

This is the third Moonshot. I hope it is well received by students at COGS, government and industry partners interested in AI-Geomatics (see Moonshot 1 — The Nova Scotia Digital Twin — and Moonshot 2 — The Ocean Intelligence Platform).

Today, Heather and I took a drive to Canning on a beautiful, sunny Winter day. Our destination was the ArtCan Gallery. Unfortunately the kitchen was closed.

However, the staff were preparing for The Drawing Room Community Show, March 1st-29th. “Make a drawing in the Gallery and Hang It!”

I enjoy their book collection, local authors, books on art, etc. I found Simon Winchester’s Knowing What We Know: The Transmission of Knowledge from Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic. It will likely replace my reading of Backwater: Nova Scotia’s economic decline

Acknowledgements

Heather shared the outing. Edward is making preparations for Florida.

Reference

Simon Winchester, 2023, Knowing What We Know: The Transmission of Knowledge from Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic, 383 pp, Harper Collins.

Posted in Uncategorized

One Day at a Time

Posted on by maherrv

Yesterday, with fresh snow on the ground, Heather and I walked the road to the communications tower above Valley View Park (see also A Walk in the Park). Earlier, while in Bridgetown, we stopped at Endless Shores, where I picked up Peter Moreira’s book Backwater: Nova Scotia‘s Economic Decline, 2009.

Today, Wednesday, I checked online whether he had written any further books. Instead I found a podcast: Peter Moreira reviews the findings in the latest Atlantic Canada Start Up report, dated 2022.

At the Middleton library, I found the latest issue of the Grapevine. Inside was Wendy Elliott’s, Books by Locals reviews Nicholas Hill, Sarah Hines, Nelson O’Driscoll (eds.) Wetland Restoration for Endangered Species Recovery: a multidisciplinary case study of Big Meadow Bog, Brier Island, Nova Scotia.

Off to the Inside Story in Greenwood; they did not have a copy. Apparently, the book costs around $300. I returned to the COGS library to see if I could obtain it through inter-library loan. Chelsea Heighton proved very helpful.

This evening, we have tickets to the film, A Complete Unknown at Kings Theatre, Annapolis Royal. It is about the life of Bob Dylan.

Sunday, we have tickets for Macbeth – Stage to Screen. We will travel to both with our friend, Jeannie.

Later tonight, I may have the chance to reflect on the changes in Nova Scotia between 2009 and the podcast by Moreira in 2022. He was more optimistic in 2022. I wonder what he thinks today, in 2025, with Trump in the White House.

References

Peter Moreira, 2009, Backwater: Nova Scotia’s Economic Decline, Nimbus Publishing
Peter Moreira, 2022, Podcast interview with David Campbell and Don Mills
Nicholas Hill, Sarah Hines, Nelson O’Driscoll, 2024, Wetland Restoration for Endangered Species Recovery: A multidisciplinary case study of Big Meadow Bog, Brier Island, Nova Scotia, Springer Publishing.
Wendy Elliott, 2025, Books by Locals, The GrapeVine, February 2025, p.5.

Acknowledgements

Heather shared this busy day. Edward had time for the edits, before he headed back to Florida.

Posted in New thinking

Moonshot 2: The Ocean Intelligence Platform

Posted on by Edward Wedler

AI-Geomatics
Moonshot Project 2

In conversation with Gemini on 28th January 2025. By showcasing these innovative projects, COGS and AGRG can effectively communicate their value to the government and the people of Nova Scotia, positioning the province as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and driving sustainable economic growth.

Vision: Develop an advanced platform for monitoring and understanding Nova Scotia’s marine environment.

COGS & AGRG Role: Utilize marine geomatics, underwater robotics, and AI to collect and analyze data on ocean currents, water quality, marine life, and human activities.

Impact:

Sustainable Fisheries: Support sustainable fishing practices by providing real-time data on fish stocks and migration patterns.

Coastal Protection: Monitor coastal erosion and sea-level rise to inform coastal management strategies.

Blue Economy: Facilitate the development of new ocean-based industries, such as offshore renewable energy and aquaculture.

By showcasing these innovative projects, COGS and AGRG can effectively communicate their value to the government and the people of Nova Scotia, positioning the province as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and driving sustainable economic growth.

Last Saturday, I hosted a meeting at my house in Middleton with John Wightman and David MacLean. The topic under discussion was the possibility of an event, equivalent to the COGS Industry Expo; this Summer, June- July time frame. The emphasis would be on Nova Scotia, natural resources, in particular minerals, fisheries, forestry and agriculture.

The event’s working title would be ‘CANMAP Government Expo’.

It would showcase the use of AI-Geomatics in these four sectors, and the collaboration between the educational institutions, industry and government.

To move forward with this agenda, we need the engagement of the provincial government, as well as the AI-Geomatics industry.

Acknowledgements

Edward Wedler started this journey. Both John Wightman, from the mining exploration industry perspective and David MacLean from the application of GIS technology perspective demonstrated their commitment and interest.

Posted in New thinking

Moonshot 1: The Nova Scotia Digital Twin

Posted on by Edward Wedler

This morning, I went to the CORAH Men’s’ Fitness class. Other participants, included Howard Selig (Valley Flax) and David Bowlby (MLA Annapolis County). This week, Edward has been in dialogue with Gemini ( AI). Together they identified four ‘moonshots’. I will publish one per week. Through the ErnestBlairExperiment blog. We want to try to engage the community, industry, government and education.

Edward and I have collaborated on earlier projects e.g. Ride the Lobster and The Road to Georgetown, PEI.

AI-Geomatics
Moonshot Project 1

Edward’s conversation with Gemini was on 28th January 2025. By showcasing these innovative projects, COGS and AGRG can effectively communicate their value to the government and the people of Nova Scotia, positioning the province as a leader in applied Geographic Sciences and driving sustainable economic growth.

Vision: Create a comprehensive, real-time digital replica of Nova Scotia, encompassing its physical, natural, and human environments.

COGS & AGRG Role: Leverage their expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and AI to integrate various data sources, including LiDAR, satellite imagery, sensor networks, and historical records.

Impact:

Resource Management: Optimize resource extraction (forestry, fishing, mining) while minimizing environmental impact.

Disaster Preparedness: Simulate natural disasters (floods, wildfires) to improve response and mitigation strategies.

Economic Development: Attract investment by showcasing the province’s potential for sustainable development and innovation.

Acknowledgements

Edward Wedler was on the faculty, teaching Remote Sensing at COGS. At the same time. I was teaching GIS. We have been friends and colleagues for over forty years.

Posted in New thinking

Geospatial Moonshots: Where AI Meets Nova Scotia’s Future

Posted on by maherrv


It may come as a bit of a surprise that my collaborator on the Ernest Blair Experiment Blog, Edward Wedler has been exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in relationship to Geomatics and Geographic Sciences at COGS in Lawrencetown.

What should not be a surprise, is that both of us, although officially retired, remain engaged in the questions of the day.

Today (January 28) Edward had a conversation with Gemini. This led to four ‘moon-shot-type’ projects. COGS and AGRG with their expertise in the Geographic Sciences, can play a crucial role in these sectors and drive innovation to become a global leader for Nova Scotia in Artificial Intelligence and Geomatics.

Our exploration was spurred on by Nova Scotia’s Premier’s reported comments on our traditional industries (such as Farming, Fisheries and Forestry) and our potential in “new-to-Nova-Scotia” industries (such as Hydrogen, Wind and Critical Minerals).

We will explore these four “moonshot” projects in future blog posts.

PROJECT 1: The Nova Scotia Digital Twin.

PROJECT 2: The Ocean Intelligence program.

PROJECT 3: The Nova Scotia Geo-Innovation Hub

PROJECT 4: The Sustainable Energy Corridor

Heather and I attended the second day of the COGS Industry Expo. At the ESRI Canada booth, we were fortunate to pick up a copy of the latest ESRI Map Book, Volume 39.

Acknowledgements

I appreciate Edward’s inquiring spirit, checking out the relationship between AI and GIS.

Posted in Event Review, Opinion, Uncategorized

COGS Industry Expo

Posted on by maherrv

Today, Heather and I went to the Industry Expo at COGS.

Image from NSCC COGS Industry Expo Facebook Site

There were several highlights.

Kevin McGuigan provided a useful update on AGRG’s history, from its early days in 2000 through the modernization era of 2016 to the challenge era of 2020 and today.

Significant events include complete LiDAR coverage of Nova Scotia and an increased web presence.

Afterwards, we joined Andrew Hannam and Chelsea Heighton in the Board Room to tour the ‘Maps as Art’ exhibition. CORAH is organizing a series of tours this Wednesday and Thursday.

We highly recommend signing up to see the exhibition.

In the afternoon, there was the opportunity to catch up with the survey companies in New Brunswick. This culminated in Kelly Bates’ keynote presentation ‘Bridging Academia and Offshore Infrastructure Planning’. Of particular interest to myself, was the role played by the M.Sc. degree in Applied Geomatics at Acadia University.

Tomorrow, the focus will be on industry displays in the gymnasium and student interviews. Overall, this was a rewarding day, with many examples of collaboration between COGS and the private sector.

On the weekend, the Premier had a paid advertisement on the front page of the Chronicle Herald. He referenced Nova Scotia’s traditional industries – fishing, farming, forestry. Plus ‘New-to-Nova Scotia: industries like hydrogen, wind and critical minerals can operate safely and the potential positive impact on our Province is massive.’

My response to the Premier, and our local MLA’s is PLEASE begin to appreciate the significance of GIS and Geomatics in mapping these resources. To the NSCC, I would recommend a ‘COGS Government Expo’ focused on the importance of these technologies, and the importance of a well-trained workforce.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Heather who joined me for a stimulating day in Lawrencetown. Edward is busy investigating the relationship between AI and GIS. Hence this post will be short on graphics and links.

But I did want to encourage the reader to sign up for the CORAH ‘Maps as Art’ tours at COGS, Wednesday and Thursday.

Posted in Uncategorized

A College Community (aka Community College)

Posted on by maherrv

This week, I met with Brent Kerr. He is part of the new PC team representing Annapolis County. I wanted to ensure that our political representatives had a good appreciation of the educational and technological resources in the County, at both COGS and AGRG.

Today I attended my first class of the year, Men’s’ Strength and Fitness with Sandy Murray at CORAH – Middleton. This afternoon, we will meet Paul and Ruth Colville at the Capitol Pub for lunch. If we still have the energy we will go for another snowshoe around the Annapolis River meadow, below our house (cancelled, too cold).

Next Monday and Tuesday, COGS will be hosting a two day Industry Expo. This includes tours of the Map Collection by Andrew Hannam and Chelsea Heighton.

To assist the new PC team, I provided a list of email contacts at both COGS and AGRG. There is a long history of the application of Geomatics technology in the region. This includes the maintenance of a network of climate stations, the use of LiDAR and more recently drone technology, and the application of AI.

If the province wants to develop its natural resources, especially agriculture and forestry in Southwest Nova, then it is important that our political representatives fully understand the significance of the management and access to these geographic data sets.

I would encourage the NSCC not only to support the local community through CORAH, but also through showcasing access to these Geomatics resources within the research community. This would complement the industry showcase, where the focus is more on employment opportunities for future graduating students.

Acknowledgements

Edward is away, hence no graphics or links. Heather shared the snow shoeing experience in the meadow, below our house.