Wetlands Appreciation Week

• What: Interactive activities at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park  
• When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
• Where: Wetland Interpretive Centre, Shubenacadie Wildlife Park 

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and partners to celebrate wetlands and kick off Wetlands Appreciation Week for a "Duck Day" event! All activities are included with regular park admission. No registration required, however some activities (such as guided tours) have a capacity so will be first come first serve. Questions? Contact Katie at k_scott@ducks.ca. No matter the time there will be lots on the go! 

• Informative and hands-on stations by partners set up at the Wetland Centre 
• Critter Dipping on the dock- join us to discover the biodiversity of wetlands by identifying the macroinvertebrates that call wetlands home 
• Join Alain Clavette, expert birder on Birding Walks throughout the day 
• Facepainting 
• BBQ 
• Borrow binoculars and stop by the Bird Blind along the wetland trail to see how many species you can find 
• Join in on crafts at the Wetland Centre

• What: Hike at Polly’s Cove with TransCoastal Adaptations Wetlands and Dr. Jeremy Lundholm 
• When: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. 
• Where: Meet at the Polly’s Cove trailhead.
• Registration: email transcoastaladaptations@smu.ca  

Join TransCoastal Adaptations and Dr. Jeremy Lundholm as they lead a hike exploring the unique barrens wetlands at Polly’s Cove. Less than three per cent of the land area of Nova Scotia consists of "barrens," but these are high priority for conservation due to the presence of rare plants and vegetation types as well as impacts from recreational activities. Parking spaces are limited at the trailhead (three to four cars), please indicate in your registration email if you are able to carpool. Alternatively, there's the backup parking 100 meters down the road to the west. Terrain is rugged, please dress appropriately including proper footwear. Dogs on leashes are welcome.  

• What: Ecology Action Centre Lunch and Learn: Wetlands on Barrens with Dr. Jeremy Lundholm 
• When: 12 - 1 p.m. 
• Where: Online
• Registration: Click here to register

Less than three per cent of the land area of Nova Scotia consists of "barrens," but these are high priority for conservation due to the presence of rare plants and vegetation types as well as impacts from recreational activities. Dr. Jeremy Lundholm, a research associate with TransCoastal Adaptations at Saint Mary’s University, will discuss barrens landscapes, their biodiversity and origins and the presence and importance of wetlands within these landscapes. 

• What: Nature Nova Scotia Belchers Marsh Walk: Wetland Birds and Plants 
• When: 7 - 8 p.m. 
• Where: Belchers Marsh Trail Entrance, beside Halifax trail sign
• Registration: Click here to register

During this peaceful walk hosted by Nature Nova Scotia we will delve into wetland bird and plant identification and share the many benefits that wetlands provide.  At the end of the walk, we will make own native seed bombs! 

• What: Conserving Wetlands Webinar: Tools and Strategies for Effective Stewardship  
• When: 1 - 2 p.m.  
• Where: Online via Zoom
• Registration: Click here to register 

Join the Nova Scotia Biodiversity Caucus, Nature Nova Scotia and East Coast Environmental Law to discover the role of wetland stewardship in wildlife conservation through two key presentations: Jess Lewis on mainland moose and ongoing conservation projects, and Mike Kofahl on provincial and municipal legal tools for protection. Expand your knowledge and engage with experts on vital habitat conservation. 

• What: Oxner's Beach Community Marsh Celebration with Coastal Action 
• When: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. 
• Where: Oxner's Beach (Lower Lahave Rd, Lower LaHave, NS B0J 2W0) 

Come see the beautiful Oxner's Beach Salt Marsh. Join Coastal Action for salt marsh walks, birding sessions, BBQ and fun times with your community.  

• What: Salt Marsh Trail Water Bird Walk - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
• When: 7 - 8 p.m.  
• Where: Meet in the parking lot at the Salt Marsh Trailhead in Cole Harbor, 805 Bissett Road

Join Nature Nova Scotia for a beginner water bird walk in celebration of Wetlands Appreciation Week! Salt marshes, where land, fresh water, and saltwater converge, are teeming with wildlife and serve as vital feeding and nesting grounds for many bird species. During this hour-long walk, we will conduct a water bird survey, tracking various bird species and observing their behaviours for research purposes. Feel free to ask questions and stay longer if you wish! Remember to bring your binoculars and a camera. We look forward to seeing you there! 

• What: Backlands Bioblitz with Our HRM Alliance and the Ecology Action Centre 
• Time: 6 - 8:30 p.m. 
• Location: Halifax Backlands
• Registration: Click here to register

This event, organized by the EAC and Our HRM Alliance, focuses on the important wetlands in the Backlands area. These wetlands help prevent fires in the nearby jack pine barrens ecosystem. You can learn to use the iNaturalist app to identify native and invasive plants. By participating, you'll help collect data for future conservation efforts. Explore the Backlands and help protect these vital habitats! 

• What: Wetlands Appreciation Day with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park at the Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre
• When: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
• Where: Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park at the Fundy Tidal Interpretive Centre to learn all about this unique ecological habitat! Free, family-friendly activities including:

• Guided walks and wildlife spotting
• Critter dipping 
• "I Spy Challenge" to see how many species you can find along our wetland trail!
• Snacks and fun giveaways to take home with you

• What: Forest Photo Walk with Medway Community Forest Co-operative 
• When: 8 -10 a.m. 
• Where: Stave Lake Campground and Trails (click here for turn-off from highway, click here for meeting point) 
• Registration: Click here to register

This group event will take you on an exploration of a nature trail in the beautiful Medway Lake Wilderness Area to explore, experience and capture photos under the guidance of professional photographer, Jason Dain.  Jason will provide a brief introduction to some of the key photography concepts and then we'll go for a walk in the forest. As we find different subjects such as wildlife, plants and landscapes, we'll will stop and use each case to practice some of the concepts we discussed at the start of the walk. This event is free/pay-what-you-can (all donations will go directly to the guide). Space is limited, and advance registration is required. All ages and skill levels are welcome! 

• What: Salt Marsh Stroll 
• When: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
• Where: Dominion Beach Provincial Park 

Join ACAP for a relaxed stroll through the beautiful Dominion Beach Salt Marsh. We will do bird watching and test your observational skills with a fun salt marsh scavenger hunt! We will meet at the boardwalk parking lot. Binoculars will be available for those who need them and a prize will be rewarded to the winner of the scavenger hunt. No registration required.  

• What: CARP-Middleton Wetland: A Restoration Story 
• When: August 17, 2024; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
• Where: CARP Middleton Wetland- 36 Brooklyn Rd, Middleton, NS B0S 1P0 

Join the Clean Annapolis River Project on an explorative journey through a restored wetland nestled in the town of Middleton. As you meander down the trails, you’ll learn about how this site was transformed, and how to identify the species that now call it home. Parking and washroom on site.  

Nova Scotia Wetland Photo Contest

We invite you to capture the stunning beauty of Nova Scotia's wetlands and share your photos with us for a chance to win a wetland-themed prize pack! Submit up to three photos, including the photographer's name and location, by Monday, Aug. 19 to contests@merseytobeatic.ca. Our team will judge based on wetland diversity, photo quality and inclusivity, welcoming entries from all photographers. Good luck! 

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.