Wetlands Appreciation Week 2026

Lunch and Learn: Coastal Wetlands and Species at Risk in Nova Scotia

Join East Coast Environmental Law (ECEL) for a Lunch and Learn webinar featuring staff lawyers Mike Kofahl and Richelle Martin. This session will offer presentations exploring key environmental law topics affecting Nova Scotia's wetlands. Mike and Richelle will introduce some of the laws and policies that shape wetland management, and share highlights from ECEL's recent legal research and work on coastal wetlands and species at risk. During the session we will also point you to helpful ECEL resources you can use to better understand these issues.

The session will wrap up with time for audience questions, and we want to hear from you: what future resources would help you and your community navigate these issues? Come ready to share your ideas and help shape ECEL's ongoing work.

When: Tuesday, August 4, 12 - 1 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Registration: Yes, please register here.  
Questions? Contact Chad Simmons (chad@ecelaw.ca) 

Wetlands Appreciation Week Bioblitz at Sandy Lake

Celebrate Wetlands Appreciation Week with an evening of exploration and community science at Sandy Lake hosted by the Ecology Action Centre! Learn about the important role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity, storing carbon, and filtering water while discovering the plants and animals that call these habitats home. Participants will learn how to use free species identification and tracking app, iNaturalist, and contribute observations that help ecologists better understand species diversity and abundance in the area.

When: Thursday, August 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sandy Lake Park, Bedford (event details will be shared with once you register)
Cost: Free
Registration: Yes, please register here.

Extra Notes: Please bring: closed-toed shoes, weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen, hat, bug spray (optional), sunglasses, life-saving medication (if applicable), long pants, hiking poles (optional), 1L of water, a snack, additional layers/rain jacket, a backpack for gear.  

Accessibility: Moderate to challenging terrain, exposed roots and rocks, loose footing, thin paths, big step ups/downs.  
Questions? Contact Jillian Ramsay at jillian.ramsay@ecologyaction.ca

Wash Brook Wetland Restoration Introduction Walk  

This walk hosted by ACAP Cape Breton will take you through each of the wetland restoration sites along the Wash Brook. At each site we will discuss what features indicate the area already presents as wetland, highlighting plant composition, hydrology, soil characteristics, and the animals using the space. We will also discuss the restoration activities, including fill excavation, invasive species removal, and native species plantings, showing how they will benefit the existing ecology, but also keep the space engaging for the public.  

When: Saturday, August 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.  
Where: Gazebo at 28 Hillview St, Sydney, NS (Map Pin)
Cost: Free  
Registration: No registration required.  

Extra Notes: Most of the walk will be in a public park, but some areas we will be walking along lawn (not paved road).

Accessibility: Hike in an urban park - easy.
Questions? Contact Eneli Molder emolder@acapcb.ns.ca 

Wetland Plant Walk  

Join TransCoastal Adaptations: Centre for Nature-based Solutions for an exploration of the coastal wetlands near Lawrencetown Beach where you will see several different types of wetlands including salt marsh, dune slack and discuss coastal wetland restoration and conservation issues.  

When: Sunday, August 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  
Where: Lawrencetown Beach east side parking lot (Map Pin)  
Cost: Free
Registration: Yes, please email trip leader Allison.MacNeil@smu.ca to register.

Extra Notes: Please bring rubber boots or other waterproof footwear as we will be walking into some wetlands; insect repellent, sunscreen and water are also recommended.

Accessibility: The event is a hike; while we will mostly be on flat terrain, there is potential for some scrambling to get down into one of the wetlands (and back up!)  
Questions? Contact Allison MacNeil at Allison.MacNeil@smu.ca 

Forested Wetlands Interpretive Walk  

Join Nature Nova Scotia staff for a walk through the forest, identifying lichens and discussing forested wetlands along the Nichols Lake trail.

When: Saturday, August 8, 4 - 5 p.m.  
Where: Meet at the Nature Nova Scotia booth at the Prospect Community Center at 2141 Prospect Road (Map Pin)
Registration: No registration required.
Cost: Free (Donations to Nature Nova Scotia are welcome)

Extra notes: Wear appropriate clothing for outdoor walk and potential weather. Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended.

Accessibility: Medium difficulty hike.  
Questions? Contact Becky Parker at becky.parker@naturens.ca 

Lock 6 Park Wetland Appreciation Day  

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, and the Municipality of East Hants for Lock 6 Park Wetland Appreciation Day! Lock 6 Park was designated as a Treasured Wetland site in 2022 and features a biodiverse array of wetland types and species, as well as the historic Lock 6 on the Shubenacadie River. 

A Treasured Wetlands of Nova Scotia information booth will be stationed at the trailhead from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with interactive displays. Three guided walks will take place throughout the day: a historical tour of Lock 6 at 10 a.m.; a wetland values focused walk at 11 a.m.; and a birding walk at 1 p.m. Binoculars will be provided.  

When: Thursday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  
Where: Lock 6 Park, 66 Arrowhead Dr, Enfield, N.S. (Map Pin)
Cost: Free  
Registration: No registration required 

Extra Notes: Participants should come equipped with sunscreen and insect repellent as this is a completely outdoor event.  
Accessibility: The trail at Lock 6 Park is a 2km gravel trail with minimal elevation. The difficulty of the guided walks will be easy. The guided walks will be led at a slow pace with frequent stops.  

Questions? Contact Lucy Boyne at l_boyne@ducks.ca 

Iced Coffee and shore birding at Rainbow Haven

In celebration of Wetlands Appreciation Week (August 3 - 16), join Nature Nova Scotia for an evening of bird-friendly iced coffee and shorebird watching at Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park. It is just a short walk from where we’ll meet to some of the area's best shorebird viewing spots. The first birds are often only a few minutes from the trailhead, making this a great outing for anyone curious about the shorebirds that stop along Nova Scotia's coast during their migration.

When: Friday, August 14, 6 - 7 p.m.
Where: 2248 Cow Bay Road / Rainbow Haven Provincial Park. Meet at the second parking lot (Map Pin)
Registration: Please register using this form.  
Cost: Free (Donations to Nature Nova Scotia are welcome)

Extra notes: Please bring binoculars, a reusable mug and weather-appropriate clothes. Parking lots can fill quickly on summer Friday evenings, so plan to arrive a little early to allow extra time for parking!

Accessibility: Easy, gravel road and gravel trail.  
Questions? Contact Jess Lewis at jess.lewis@naturens.ca

Wash Brook Wetland Restoration Bioblitz and Bird Walk  

This walk hosted by ACAP Cape Breton will take you through each of the wetland restoration sites along the Wash Brook (Sydney, N.S.). Along the walk, we will identify the birds that use the area and focus in on their relationship with the urban wetlands. We will also use this walk as an opportunity to gather data on existing life in the Wash Brook through a BioBlitz.  

When: Saturday, August 15, 8:30 - 11 a.m.
Where: Gazebo at 28 Hillview St, Sydney, N.S. (Map Pin)
Cost: Free
Registration: No registration required

Extra Notes: Dress appropriately for weather conditions. The walk will stay on well-maintained lawn and trail areas. Some binoculars will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. We suggest you download the iNaturalist and Merlin apps ahead of time, but they are not necessary.  

Accessibility: Event is a walk in an urban area, but not always on an accessible trail. Approximately 1.5 km loop (750 m each way).  
Questions? Contact Eneli Molder at emolder@acapcb.ns.ca 

Duck Day - A celebration of all things Wetlands!  

Join Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and several other conservation partners in a family friendly celebration of Wetlands at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park! Regular Park admission applies, with all Duck Day activities provided free of charge. Join us for wetland education activities, such as critter dipping, nest box building, crafts, and cake to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wetland Centre!  

When: Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  
Where: 149 Creighton Rd, Shubenacadie, N.S. / Wetland Centre, Shubenacadie Wildlife Park (Map Pin)
Cost: Regular Park admission applies. Youth under 17 are free, thanks to East Hants Youth Links.
Registration: No registration required  

Extra Notes: Appropriate clothing as the event is rain or shine.  
Accessibility: Expect maintained gravel trails throughout the Wildlife Park and Wetland Trails.  
Questions? Contact Kateri Dorey at k_dorey@ducks.ca 

Treasured Wetlands of Nova Scotia 2026 BioBlitz

Come to the Treasured Wetlands of Nova Scotia (TWNS) 2026 BioBlitz, hosted by Ducks Unlimited Canada and running until the end of Wetland Appreciation Week. This is your opportunity to help document wetland biodiversity across N.S! Visit any of the TWNS sites between July 1 and August 16, snap some pictures of any species that you encounter and upload your observations to the iNaturalist app. Prizes will be awarded to the participants with the most observations, most TWNS sites visited with observations and most unique observations.

Check out the BioBlitz project and plan your wetland adventure using the TWNS storymap.

When: Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 16 (inclusive)
Where: In treasured wetlands across Nova Scotia  
Cost: Free
Registration: No registration needed  
Extra Notes: Hosted on the free iNaturalist app  

Accessibility: The duration, terrain and elevation of the TWNS locations vary by site and potential participants can get more information on each site using the TWNS storymap. 
Questions? Contact Lucy Boyne at l_boyne@ducks.ca

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.