AWEC Envirothon

02/23/2020

No leaves? No problem! Leaves are one of the easier ways to identify a tree and without them, tree ID can be tricky, But there are other clues that can help you identify trees and shrubs before spring. Bark and twigs offer the finer details that let us identify different tree species. Here's a guide (from UNH Cooperative Extension) to get you started on your winter tree (and shrub) ID.
http://ow.ly/ft5m50yqmyS
Diagram of twig and bud characteristics from J.A. Cope & F.E. Winch, Jr (Cornell University)

09/26/2019

Save this date for a potential field trip

Join us in Westfield on Saturday, October 5 from 10AM-3PM for a Woodlot Management Mentorship Program.

Jim Crooker is one of several woodlot owners from around the province who have previously hosted and presented the mentorship program to folks interested in learning more about woodland management. Following in the footsteps of six previous generations of Crookers, managing 850 acres of woodland, Jim continues to manage his woodlot sustainably for future generations. Using sound ecological forestry practices, Jim carefully selects trees for harvest to increase the health of the woodlot and maintaining continuous canopy cover benefiting both wildlife biodiversity and more valuable, longer lived tree species.

The woodlot tour will include an area where some careful thinning work has been done by machine on his woodlot through the Western Woodlot Services Co-operative, and there will be chance to talk to the contractor on the day about his work.

Please call us or email [email protected] to register or for more information!

08/26/2019

Fall field trip?!

Join us at the Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest on Saturday, October 19th, 2019 for our annual fall public field day! Enjoy free guided hikes in partnership with Hike NS through our beautiful forest...

05/10/2019

Congratulations to both AWEC teams who participated in the provincial Envirothon competition. We won first and second place!

03/26/2019

Check out these games!
https://mikmawconservation.ca/kids-corner/

03/20/2019

Midwestern farmers were contending with freezing floodwaters and dead livestock, only the latest crisis in farm country. “There’s no harder business to be in,” one Nebraska man said.

01/31/2019

she uses the word synergy!

01/09/2019

Happy Wild Wednesday!

Did you know there are 5 levels of species at risk levels under the NS Endangered Species Act? What is the difference between an Endangered species and a Vulnerable one?

Find out here: https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiversity/species-list.asp

Photo: Piping Plover, Mark Elderkin (link)

12/24/2018

Prairies are some of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, with the tallgrass prairie being the most endangered. Only 1-4% of tallgrass prairie still exists.

Prairies are critically important, not only for the unique biodiversity they possess but for their effect on climate.

The ability to store carbon is a valuable ecological service in today’s changing climate. Carbon, which is emitted both naturally and by human activities such as burning coal to create electricity, is a greenhouse gas that is increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Most of the prairie’s carbon sequestration happens below ground, where prairie roots can dig into the soil to depths up to 15 feet and more. Prairies can store much more carbon below ground than a forest can store above ground. In fact, the prairie was once the largest carbon sink in the world -- much bigger than the Amazon rainforest and its destruction has had devastating effects.

Photo by Jim Richardson.

11/05/2018

Farmers are focusing too much on grains and animal products.