The Williams Lake Conservation Company

06/04/2026

IMPORTANT: The Nova Scotia government is currently considering a proposal to permanently protect a 505-hectare area of Crown Land in the Halifax Backlands wilderness area in Spryfield, pending public consultation!

Have your say by completing the provincial government's online consultation form. [Click below for details]

The Nova Scotia government is currently considering a proposal to permanently protect a 505-hectare area of Crown Land in the Halifax Backlands wilderness area in Spryfield, pending public consultation!

06/03/2026

Have your say: Share your thoughts on the proposed new designation by July 28 to help protect the Halifax Backlands, Spryfield...

Nova Scotia has a new nature reserve protecting wetlands, forest and migratory bird habitat in Digby County.

The designation of the Toy Makers Marsh Nature Reserve was announced today, May 27, along with two expanded nature reserves and seven expanded wilderness areas. Together, they protect 836 hectares of Nova Scotia’s land and water, and 5.2 kilometres of its coastline.

The Province also opened consultation on 13 proposed new or expanded wilderness areas and nature reserves.

If approved for designation, the proposed sites will protect an additional 1,946 hectares of land and water. Four of the sites open for consultation were purchased by the Department using federal funding under the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement.

Nova Scotians can share their thoughts on the proposed new designations at https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/ until July 28.

06/01/2026

Lake levels will begin to drop today and continue over the next 2.5 week as the construction site is prepared for the next important phase of the building of the new dam. [Click below for details]

Lake levels will begin to drop today and continue over the next 2.5 week as the site is prepared for the next phase of the new dam.

05/29/2026

Now Available: one of our most important Newsletters... updates on the new dam, requests for input on HRM's Regional and Suburban plans, snapping turtles on the prowl, birding adventures in the Backlands, and more...

An especially important annual newsletter: The WLCC Newsletter for 2026 and your invitation to the AGM (open to the public).

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

URGENT: Learn to protect Sandy Lake’s hemlocks before it’s too late

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is here in HRM. This invasive, aphid-like insect has already been detected in our region and can kill up to 95% of hemlock trees in infested forests. 🚫

For Sandy Lake and our entire greenbelt, hemlocks are a "foundational" species - they cool our streams for trout & salmon, and form the backbone of our remaining old-growth forest. Losing them would change our ecosystem forever.

You can help stop the spread. Join this free HWA Educational Hike + Survey123 training to learn:
✅ How to spot the white "woolly" egg sacs (look like tiny cotton balls on branch undersides)
✅ How to use Survey123 to report infestations to 311 & NSISC
✅ Simple actions: lint rollers on clothes, buy local firewood, avoid bird feeders near hemlocks

📅 May 28 | 6:15 – 8:15 PM
📍 Part of the OHA/EAC Hike the Greenbelt series
🔗 Register here: https://ecologyaction.ca/get-involved/events/hike-greenbelt

Can’t make it? Still report suspected HWA to 311 or the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. Every observation helps save our trees.

💚 Save Sandy Lake. Save our hemlocks. Please share this post widely.

05/27/2026

As part of the construction phases of the new dam on Williams Lake, the water level will be temporarily adjusted to accommodate the installation of the coffer dam. [for details click below]

Williams Lake dam - Dexter Construction will temporarily lower the lake level for the installation of coffer dam.

05/24/2026

Orca rescued at Williams Lake. Now it's time to Free Willie:

Willie the Orca washed up on the beach but was rescued by the WLCC Whale Rescue Division. He needed some medical attention and recovered well in their specially outfitted hospital tank. Now that he's fully recovered he's anxious to return home to his family pod. If you know where his family might be send a note to the WLCC website by using the Contact Us page.

05/10/2026

When hiking our local trails, remember...
..Several species of Backlands birds nest on the ground, some just lay eggs without a nest. So, stay on the paths and trails.

05/07/2026

Temporary trail closure to Shaw Wilderness Park:

Please be advised entry to Shaw Wilderness Park off Purcells Cove Road will be temporarily closed starting Monday, May 11, to the public due to ongoing construction of the new dam. The associated trail and the dam area are also closed. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of park users and to allow crews to complete this important project efficiently.

Construction is expected to continue to late October. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as this work is carried out. Updates on reopening timelines will be shared as they become available.

For more information contact: [email protected]

For updated information visit the link below.

https://buildns.ca/projects/williams-lake-dam/williams-lake-dam-faq/