In celebration of World Nature Conservation Day on July 28, we are taking the opportunity to recognize the energy and expertise the municipality is putting into protecting the natural environment. Now and into the future, municipal staff are invested in safeguarding the ecosystems that make our region a healthy and flourishing place to live.
One of the primary goals of World Nature Conservation Day is fighting to save species that are at risk of extinction. We know that as much as 40% of plant and fungal life is threatened with going extinct. This is particularly serious when we consider that plant life is vital to the survival of many other species on earth.
Right now, urbanization, deforestation and climate change are creating a crisis in which ecosystems and all of their important services are under threat. As a result, the success of future generations of people, plants and many other forms of life on earth hangs in the balance.
Acting on the environment
HalifACT is one of the most ambitious climate action movements in Canada. Our plan is to build a resilient future for Atlantic Canada while adapting to climate change impacts to ensure the health and safety of our residents. HalifACT is concerned with conserving resources so that we can live in a more sustainable relationship with the living environment around us.
Many of our municipal plans are devoted to environmental stewardship:
- The Centre Plan aims to create complete communities and put pedestrians first by growing transit operations. It is dedicated to forward-thinking urban design and the preservation of open spaces that can improve biodiversity. In accordance with Policy 9.6 in the Centre Plan, you can do different forms of urban agriculture like beekeeping and keeping hens.
- The Halifax Green Network Plan prioritizes taking care of our ecologically and culturally important open spaces and aquatic systems. The plan promotes the sustainable management of natural resources in an interconnected world.
- We're working with the Natural Asset Initiative on a pilot project in the Nine Mile River watershed to identify key natural assets that play a role in stormwater management and climate resilience.
- We were awarded Bird Friendly City status from Nature Canada, and continue to work with communities to make our region safer for birds and other wildlife.
Contributing to conservation
World Nature Conservation Day is focused on raising awareness of the need for all of us to take biodiversity seriously and preserve natural resources. Scientists Joel Cohen and David Tilman pointed out after the failure of the notorious Biosphere 2 project that “no one yet knows how to engineer systems that provide humans with the life-supporting services that natural ecosystems produce for free…. Despite its mysteries and hazards, Earth remains the only known home that can sustain life.”
To help sustain our home, here are some ways you can participate in conservation efforts:
- attend tree planting events and request for trees to be planted on municipal land in your area through 311
- plant native shrubs and perennials in your gardens to attract and feed birds; good options are Serviceberry or Elderberry
- pick up your garbage and deposit it in the appropriate areas
- pick up after your pets
- keep an eye out for animals on the roads
- add decals and stickers to your windows to reduce the chance of birds striking windows, especially during migration season when birds are on the move
- participate in beach cleanups
- stay up to date and be aware of conservation-related regional and community planning
- Be aware of by-laws that protect riparian areas and tree canopies
- Take part in wildlife conservation efforts that respect and preserve ecosystems
Living Lakeshores
Head over to the Living Lakeshores project page to find out how to register for free naturalization training.
Nature and Biodiversity
We’re so lucky to be surrounded by nature in the Halifax region, with forests, beaches, lakes, wetlands and barrens all around us. Keeping these ecosystems healthy is vital, as they provide us with clean water, store extra water during floods, clean our air and lower air temperatures. Healthy ecosystems also sequester carbon, which helps mitigate climate change.
Climate change projections for our region show that we can expect weather that is wetter, wilder and warmer than ever. Understanding how nature can help us adapt to these changing conditions is essential for building resilient communities. What’s more, access to pristine natural areas contributes to the magic of the municipality and attracts visitors, locals and new residents alike. Ecosystem health is also essential for our non-human residents such as birds, insects, mammals and plants. The biodiversity of our region depends on availability of healthy and diverse habitat.
Here are some ways we're working to protect and understand nature in the Halifax Regional Municipality:
- We're working with the Natural Asset Initiative on a pilot project in the Nine Mile River watershed to identify key natural assets that play a role in stormwater management and climate resilience.
- We were recently awarded Bird Friendly City status from Nature Canada, and continue to work with communities to make our region safer for birds and other wildlife.
- We released an Integrated Pest Management plan in 2022, and continue to work towards more effective management of invasive species.
- We use nature-based resilient landscaping such as rain gardens and naturalized areas to manage stormwater in our parks, right of way spaces and municipal property. We also provide resources for residents to manage excess water on their property using nature-based solutions at home.
- We encourage residents to plant perennials in the boulevard right-of-way, to promote biodiversity and habitat for pollinators.