Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute

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Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute

MTRI is a research-based non-profit and our mission is to promote, conserve and sustain biodiversity.

The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI) is in South West Nova Scotia, adjacent to Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site. Our mission is to promote, conserve and sustain biodiversity in Kespukwitk (SW NS) as well as beyond.

06/08/2026

Happy National Best Friends Day!
It isn’t just people that have best friends…

It’s also National Insect Appreciation Day!
Let’s take some time today to appreciate our best friends and our overachieving insects.

These photos were taken during our research activities.

Photo credit for the ribbonsnake picture: James Neish
Photo credit for the bank swallow picture: James Headley

05/25/2026

MTRI and North Nova are hosting a Bird Workshop with Cindy Staicer. Come join us to learn about the birds in the forests you visit. Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/dRq9Bi6tB0

05/14/2026

It's nesting season. Migratory birds have travelled incredible distances to come make their nests and raise their young in the forests and shorelines of Mi'kma'ki. Let's do our best to let the birds have safe and undisturbed nests.

These photos were taken during our research activities. If you find a nest this season, immediately give it a space of at least 20 metres so the parents can return quickly. If you or someone you know is working in the forest, take time to observe the forest birds before working; it can be a peaceful moment with just you and the birds. Notice, are they carrying nesting materials or food? Are they frequenting one location? If you spot these behaviours, the best thing we can do is give them space.

As always, report your sightings of migratory birds through iNaturalist or eBird platforms!

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day! Mother turtles expend great energy for their young by crossing dangerous roads to get to good nesting habitat, then spending hours digging holes, laying 5-17 eggs and then burying them. It's the season to be looking out for these turtle mothers on the roads!
All conservation activities, including working with turtle nests, require a special permit.
These permits ensure that the work is done safely and effectively, respecting both the turtles and their habitats. If you’re eager to get involved, consider reaching out to local conservation organizations for opportunities to volunteer and learn more about how you can support these incredible creatures in a permitted and responsible way.
Thank you for your passion and dedication to protecting our precious turtles!

04/27/2026

For Forest Professionals! MTRI and FFN have put together an Indicator Card of Old-Growth features as a resource for forest professionals. The pdf can be downloaded from our website https://mtri.speciesatrisk.ca/OldGrowthForestsPrivateWoodlands and contains helpful information to distinguish potential Old-Growth Forests by the following attributes:

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! Many projects at MTRI focus on the species at risk that call this planet home, researching their life histories and ensuring they have future healthy habitats. Learn how you can help MTRI protect Species at Risk in Nova Scotia!

Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus
The monarch butterfly is one of the eight insect Species at Risk in Nova Scotia. Yes, insects can be endangered too! Check out our Monarch beneficial management guide to learn how to attract monarchs to your property at:

https://mtri.speciesatrisk.ca/content/guides

Eastern Baccharis - Baccharis halimifolia
Like many other Atlantic Coastal Plain Species, Eastern Baccharis is ONLY found in one Canadian province - Nova Scotia! Check out our Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora Guide for tips on how to ID different species and learn about protecting their habitat at:

https://speciesatrisk.ca/coastalplainflora/guide/

Silver-Haired Bat - Lasionycteris noctivagans
The Silver-Haired Bat is one of the more recent additions to the species at risk list in Nova Scotia. Submit bat sightings to our website to help us learn more about bat population numbers in Nova Scotia here:

https://batconservation.ca/

Blanding's Turtle - Emydoidea blandingii
Blanding's Turtles are differentiated from other freshwater turtles by their yellow chin,. iIt is even yellow when they are hatchlings! Donations have contributed directly to species at risk recovery efforts, such as Blanding’s Turtle Nest Monitoring! If you are able, donations are always welcome on our website at:

https://mtri.speciesatrisk.ca/content/get-involved-donate

Chimney Swift -Chaetura pelagica
Chimney swifts belong to a group called aerial insectivores; they can eat over 1000 insects in a day! If you are interested in learning more about Chimney Swifts, and all of the other Species at Risk mentioned here, check out our Species at Risk Guides! This guide has up to date information on ALL Species at Risk in Nova Scotia. If you would like a copy of the NEW edition of our species at Risk guide, please contact:

[email protected]

Copies of the previous edition can be found on our website:

sarguide.speciesatrisk.ca/

04/17/2026

Happy International Bat Day! 🦇
Beyond playing a critical role in our ecosystems, bats are incredibly unique:
• They use echolocation to “see” in the dark
• They’re the only flying mammals
• One bat can eat thousands of insects in a night
• They sleep upside down
• Some can live 30+ years

Here in Nova Scotia, we working closely with the public to keep an eye out for any surviving bats. This helps us locate bats for conservation and research efforts. If you see bats, report them at batconservation.ca. Need to speak to an expert? Call the Atlantic Canada Bat Hotline 1-833-434-2287 (BATS).

Looking to do more? The Nova Scotia Young Naturalists Club is looking for landowners to host bat boxes! If you live near water/forests, have seen bats around your home/property and are interested in hosting a bat box - apply here to be considered: https://forms.gle/WMpuSPcpPp4WgNm18

04/13/2026

Have you ever seen the great salamander migration?
Several days ago, during the warm rainy weather, volunteers spotted many h**ps on the move to their breeding pools and summer habitats.
Some common migrators you might see include Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), Eastern Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) and if your lucky you may also come across Blue Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma laterale) or Four-toed Salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum).
While none of these species are currently at risk in Nova Scotia, they’re vulnerable on roads during these warm, wet nights. You can help by avoiding unnecessary driving. If you spot a h**p on the road and it’s safe to do so, gently move it to the side it was heading toward.
Because amphibians have permeable skin, wearing gloves helps protect them from oils and residue on your hands — even a clean sandwich bag works in a pinch.
To help us study reptiles and amphibians (H**ps) in Nova Scotia, upload your h**p observations on iNaturalist and join the project: “Nova Scotia H**p Atlas”
Questions about the project? [email protected]
More information on our salamander species can be found here: http://www.h**ps.speciesatrisk.ca/

04/09/2026

Check out the full (2 minute) video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDaLjxKkzTUgo
To learn more visit our website at:
https://mtri.speciesatrisk.ca/OldGrowthForestsPrivateWoodlands

04/07/2026

Come out to learn how to grow oyster mushrooms from a straw medium! Please contact us to book your spot in this fun upcoming workshop.

Address

9 Mount Merritt Road, PO Box 215
Caledonia, NS
B0T1B0

Telephone

+19026822371

Website

http://www.merseytobeatic.ca/

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