Wetlands Appreciation Week

• What: Lake Williams Trail Wetlands Hike - EVENT CANCELED DUE TO PROVINCIAL FIRE REGULATIONS

Join a guided hike with Shubenacadie Watershed Environmental Protection Society showing a seasonal inundation area and a wetland adjacent to Lake William. The hike will pause at the suspension bridge over the CNR tracks (distance 1.6 kilometres) and then continue to the wetland (further distance 1.8 kilometres). The total distance out and back is 6.8 kilometres. The trail is wide with a crusher run base; however, there are some moderate elevation changes along the trail. Participants should wear sturdy footwear and carry water and insect repellent.

• What: Duck Day!
• When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.  
• Where: Wetland Interpretive Centre, Shubenacadie Wildlife Park

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada to celebrate wetlands and kick off Wetlands Appreciation Week for a "Duck Day" event! No registration required, however some activities (such as guided tours) have a capacity so will be first come first serve. Duck Day will consist of a BBQ, face painting, nest box building, critter dipping, crafts, and informational tables from many organizations (Nature Nova Scotia, Southwest Nova Biosphere Region, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and many more!). No matter the time there will be lots on the go! Regular park admission applies- all activities are free with park admission.  Questions? Contact Katie at k_scott@ducks.ca or visit the event page here.  

• What: Stormwater Tour and Bioblitz at Lake Banook  
• When: 6:30–8:30 p.m. 
• Where: Lake Banook 

Join Our HRM Alliance and Halifax Regional Municipality for a guided tour focused on stormwater management around Lake Banook. Explore how stormwater travels through the watershed and learn about the successes and lessons learned from nature-based solutions implemented around the lake. Highlights include naturalization projects, planned work in municipal parks and a community bioblitz in Birch Cove Park. This is a hands-on opportunity to learn how wetlands and watersheds protect our communities, and how you can contribute to community science initiatives. To best participate, please bring a smartphone with the free iNaturalist app downloaded. Register here.

• What: Two-Eyed Seeing Salt Marsh Walk
• When: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Where: Meet at the Cole Harbour Salt Marsh trail head 

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq’s Coastal team will be hosting an informative walk at the Cole Harbour Salt Marsh Trail where we discuss two-eyed seeing in salt marshes and the traditionally important species that can be found in them such as sweet grass and eels. All are welcome but sturdy footwear and clothing to match weather conditions. Water and small snacks will be provided at the trail head. 

• What: Lunch-and-Learn Webinar on Private Landowner Wetland Conservation  
• When: 12:00 -1:00 p.m.
• Where: Online: Click here to register!

Join East Coast Environmental Law and Birds Canada for a lunch-and-learn webinar focused on private landowner stewardship of wetland habitat and species. This session will explore key legal and policy tools used to protect wetlands in Nova Scotia, including conservation options tailored for private landowners. Participants will also be introduced to MarshWatch, Birds Canada’s interactive marsh bird and amphibian identification training tool, as well as the Marsh Monitoring Program, a volunteer wildlife monitoring program to track the health of marshes across Canada. 

• What: Wetland Plant Walk at Polly’s Cove 
• When: 10 a.m.  
• Where: Polly’s Cove Trail  

Join Transcoastal Adaptations and researcher Allison MacNeil for a gentle guided walk through Polly’s Cove, where we’ll explore the rich plant life of Polly's Cove. Learn how to identify native wetland species, hear about the role these ecosystems play in climate resilience and deepen your appreciation for the wild landscapes that surround us. No previous plant knowledge required — bring your curiosity, comfy shoes and a love for nature!  

• What: Seminar: Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association Lakeshore Restoration Project 
• When: 4 p.m. 
• Where: MTRI field station at 9 Mount Merritt Road Kempt, Queens County or online. Register to attend online here.

This event complements the walk at Ponhook Lake Campground taking place on Aug. 15.  

• What: Ponhook Lake Campground Lake Restoration Show and Tell 
• When: 10 a.m. 
• Where: Ponhook Lake Campground  

Join Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association for a walk at Ponhook Lake Campground that will show the rare plants on undisturbed shoreline, the restoration of shoreline shrubs and the mitigation of stormwater. This event complements the seminar taking place on Aug. 14.  

• What: Treasured Wetland Bio Blitz - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
• When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Where: French Basin Trail in Annapolis Royal 

Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Clean Annapolis River Project will be hosting a Treasured Wetland Bio Blitz at the French Basin Trail in Annapolis Royal on Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No registration is required. Attendees can expect activities set up on the trail as well as a guided walk from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to document the biodiversity of the salt marsh on iNaturalist. Those who are interested can see the Treasured Wetlands' current stats here and learn more about this event here.

• What: Seminar: iNaturalist & Nature Journaling - Recording Species Observations in Your Community
• When: Thursday, July 31, 4 p.m.
• Where: MTRI field station at 9 Mount Merritt Road Kempt, Queens County or online. Register to attend online here.

Join MTRI for a webinar on iNaturalist & Nature Journaling. There will be an associated bioblitz event in Pleasant River by the South Shore Annapolis Trail (44°26'06.8"N 64°52'36.1"W) on Aug. 2 or 3. 

• What: Cole Harbour Salt Marsh Event - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
• When: Thursday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Where: Cole Harbour Salt Marsh 

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Nova Scotia and Cole Harbour Parks & Trails for a packed day exploring this beautiful Treasured Wetland! Learn the basics of salt marsh birding! We’ll cover what apps to use, how to identify common species and key aspects of shorebird ecology including habitat, diet and ID tips, all while learning how to support and protect bird populations here in Halifax. After the Talk and Walk, there will be a chance to practice using a spotting scope or take part in a timed challenge to identify the highest number of individual bird species along the Salt Marsh Trail. Visit the @NSDNR Education and Outreach educational booth to test your local wildlife knowledge! To wrap up, grab a Smithsonian-certified Bird Friendly® iced coffee to cool down after a day on the trail.  

• What: Pomquet Salt Slack and Dunes
• When: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Where: 498 Pomquet Beach Rd, Antigonish County, NS B2G, Canada, Antigonish 

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada and NSDNR Education and Outreach at Pomquet Dune Slack for a fun filled wetland day! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. visit our educational booths for prizes, games and discover what makes this site one of our Treasured Wetlands! Visit the event page for more information.

• What: BioBlitz at Treasured Wetland sites - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
• When: Ongoing from July 7 to Aug. 22
• Where: At Treasured Wetlands across the province 

Ducks Unlimited Canada is hosting a summer-long BioBlitz at Treasured Wetland sites across the province. Visit a Treasured Wetland between July 7 and Aug. 22 and submit your observations via iNaturalist for a chance to win some fun prizes. We will have prizes for those with the most: observations, unique species, Treasured Wetland sites visited (with observations on iNaturalist). BioBlitz events are great opportunities to learn about the ecology of sites through community and citizen science. Stay tuned for BioBlitz pop-up events where we can observe and learn and record together! Plan your adventure using the Treasured Wetland Storymap. Find more details on iNaturalist here. 

• What: Explore the Bog Trail – A Self-Guided Walk - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
• When: Anytime this summer
• Where: Bog at Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Discover the unique beauty of a highland plateau bog on the fully accessible Bog Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This short 0.5 km loop offers an abundance of plant life, wildlife, and interpretive signs, especially engaging during Wetlands Appreciation Week. A quick, informative, and scenic stop. And, don’t forget, park admission is free all year! Learn more here.

Wetland Related Content

Our team of wetland experts is happy to offer a diverse array of wetland related content to deepen understanding and appreciation of wetlands. Key books include "Fen, Bog and Swamp" by Annie Proulx, which explores various wetland ecosystems, and "Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story" by Thomas Yezerski, highlighting wetland conservation. "The World of the Salt Marsh" by Charles Seabrook emphasizes the importance of tidal marshes, while "The Bog People" by Peter Glob delves into the historical significance of bogs. "Swamplands" by Edward Struzik discusses wetland challenges and conservation efforts, and "Bog Witch" by Mab Jones explores the mystical and cultural aspects of wetlands. "A Naturalist's Guide to Wetland Plants" by Donald Cox serves as an educational resource for identifying wetland flora. 

Training opportunities include "An Introduction to Atlantic Wetlands for Professionals" (available online here) and additional resources from the Ecology Action Centre (available here). For auditory learners, "In the Reeds: Canada’s Conservation Podcast" offers insights into wetland conservation efforts. 

Visual media includes the classic film "Shrek," the 1982 movie "Swamp Thing" and episodes of "The Water Brothers" titled "The Breathing Lands" and "Paving Over Paradise," which highlight wetland ecosystems and the threats they face. 

Art enthusiasts can appreciate wetland-inspired works such as Claude Monet's "The Water Lilies" and local artist Amanda Suutari's "Frog at Night," (available here). These resources collectively enrich the understanding of wetlands' ecological, cultural and aesthetic value.