Outisde this P-9 public school is an area where the grass has been replaced with a forest-to-be; with plants that will help one another, provide learning and delight for the children, and bring so many people from the local community together while sharing indigenous knowledge and working towards food security.

This food forest builds on a belief of the importance of resilience and connections for a healthy community, and the involvement and enthusiasm that can come from within it when different points of view are sought out. 

Meet three folks from the project team, and hear some of the history, their motivation and the interconnected benefits of the food forest, which is of benefit not only to the children of the school and the greater human community, but other beings as well.

Katherine Barrett is a writer, editor and permaculture gardener. She has a graduate degree in Botany and has worked on environmental issues for many years. Katherine facilitates communication within and about the food forest project.

Shawn Feener is a Mi'kmaw knowledge holder and a conservationist. He is Regional Coordinator of Mi’kmaw Education Services for the South Shore Regional Center for Education.  Shawn has lived close Pijinuiskaq or the Lahave River his whole life and has had the pleasure of working with some of the beings that call Pijinuiskaq home. He completed a diploma in Wildlife Conservation at Holland College in Prince Edward Island, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick, and is currently working on a Bachelor of Education at St. FX in Nova Scotia.

Teresa Quilty is a grandmother, nature-lover, grower-forager, and community organizer. Her previous work in both non-profit and corporate settings spanned education, communications and organizational development. Her idea of fun is learning how to make good things happen in a community of skilled, creative and generous people.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Ne'ata'q Food Forest website email address facebook page

The article mentioned about the Anishinaabe Studies professor about how Indigenous food forests shape ecosystems: ‘TODAY WE HAVE GARDENS BUT BEFORE WE DESIGNED… ENTIRE LANDSCAPES’

The other Shared Ground episodes mentioned:

*Meeting Mi'kmaw Knowledge Holder Shawn Feener (episode 10)

*A 3-pronged approach to Sustainability with Rosmarie Lohnes (episode 3)

*A Two-eyed seeing approach with Clifford Paul, with Elder Albert Marshall (episode 14)

~ To support Shared Ground -- Thank you!! ~

Discussed in this episode are some of the programs that exist to support people and forest ecosystems, and the exciting emerging option of working forest easements (through the Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust). Also, hear thoughts on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and related questions: If there was more transparency about where forest products came from, what would people choose to purchase? And in Pat's words, "What if wood had more of a story to tell?"

The conversation also touches on the local energy market, including important considerations on the use of biomass for heating.

Pat Wiggin was raised in the Halifax Regional Municipality and first became interested in Natural Resource Management while studying Environmental Science at Mount Allison University. He funded his education by tree planting in the wilds of northern British Columbia and eventually decided to go back to school where he obtained a Forestry Technology diploma at the Maritime College of Forest Technology in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and has since held positions within various organizations, providing forest management, support, and advocacy to Nova Scotia’s small, private woodland owners.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners

Forest Innovation Program

The Lahey report pdf (An Independent Review of Forestry Practices in Nova Scotia)

Forest Innovation Voucher through NSCC

Western Woodland Cooperative Service

Forest Steward Certification (FSC)

Maritime College of Forest Technology

Natural Resources Environmental Technology program at NSCC

Save Our Old Forests campaign:

website

on Facebook

SOOFStock music festival 2023

This Shared Ground episode gives a little overview of the Deanery Project, which is no small task given the scope and energy of the place!

Join host Amanda Bostlund as she talks with a few different folks about this special place, including an interview with the Executive Directo,r Kim Thompson, who imparts her love for learning, art, social justice and sustainability into everything she does.

As well as getting a brief tour of the grounds and some of the cool things happening, the conversation with Kim touches on the potential of social enterprise, participatory action research, and greenwood construction.

Kim Thompson is passionate about nature, family, natural building, art, traditional skills and community. In 1993 with the help of friends, family and curious community members she built her straw bale home in Ship Harbour, the first of its kind in Eastern Canada. Drawing on that experience she continued to design, build and produce educational materials to help support a growing network of people committed to natural, low impact building methods. An adjunct instructor with the School of Architecture since 1998, Kim is deeply committed to creating experiential, educational opportunities for pre and post secondary students at the Deanery, and welcomes anyone interested to learn and become involved with the variety of things going on there.

RESOURCES:

See the Deanery's website and their new facebook page to find out about upcoming programs, open houses, and events.

About The Path We Share, from the Signal in 2016

Mi'kmaw Moons facebook page

Trails, Tales, and Spruce Tea podcast with hosts shalan joudry and Frank Meuse

In this episode, you’ll hear about this fascinating doctoral research and her art practice, which is process-based and focused on marine plastics, waste paper, and invasive plants, and different ways of weaving these materials together to explore relationships in the inextricably interconnected living world.  We hear her perspective of seeing garbage as artifacts that can help us understand our culture, and about the problem –and the irony– of plastics. She shares the view that humans aren’t inherently bad for the environment, and offers an interesting twist on what it can mean to be less materialistic. We also talk about some lesser discussed aspects of Japanese knotweed (...and my secret love of the plant.)

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• The Deanery Project 
• The website of Marlene Creates, an artist in Newfoundland 
• A website about the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes area and protection

Books referenced by Jenn:

• Flotsametrics and the floating world: How one man’s obsession with runaway sneakers and rubber ducks revolutionized ocean science. C. Ebbesmeyer & E. Scigliano (2009)
• Pollution is Colonialism. , M. Liboiron (2021)
• Waste. B. Thill (2015) 
• Braiding Sweetgrass. Robin Wall Kimmerer (2015) 
• Living Treaties: Narrating Mi'kmaw Treaty Relations.  Marie Battiste (2016) 
• Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet: Ghosts and Monsters of the Anthropocene. Anna Tsing, Heather Swanson, Elaine Gan, Nils Bubandt (2017)
• Staying with the Trouble.  Donna J. Haraway (2016)

Some website information about the Peace and Friendship Treaties from:

• Canadian Encyclopedia
• The Government of Canada
• L’nuey

For 48 years, Bob has nurtured former pasture land in eastern Nova Scotia back to ecological forest health. The 56 acres now have 52 tree species and many restored wildlife habitats. A former FSC assessor, he stepped down as president of the Nova Forest Alliance, the Model Forest for Nova Scotia and PEI, after a contractor clear-cut a neighbor’s land and two provincial, as well as one federal department would not enforce environmental laws that had been broken. Bob is the current President of Nature Nova Scotia, a group of individuals and twenty-five organizations attempting to raise a stronger voice for nature to counter the gutting of Nova Scotia’s forests and habitats.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Nature Nova Scotia

• Save Our Old Forests website , Facebook and Instagram hashtag #saveouroldforests

• Global Forest Watch interactive forest and tree cover change data

• Things suggested in this episode to write your politicians about: stop clear-cutting(it doesn't matter what you call it, it is still happening), the needs for wider buffers around riparian zones, landscape level planning, and better wildlife regulations

Throughout this episode, Clifford illuminates ways in which Mi'kmaw traditional knowledge and Western scientific knowledge can be woven together through what is known as two-eyed-seeing, or Etuaptmumk. Elder Albert Marshall (who you will hear from briefly) and his late wife, Elder Murdena Marshall, developed this approach which is now being applied across many fields internationally.

Clifford Paul treats us to a traditional oral story and a science story to help explain the approach. He also helps us understand how non-Indigenous people can learn to use two-eyed seeing and he talks about how traditional knowledge can come from many different cultures. Hear about his holistic work as Moose Manager through UINR (Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources) and about the need to communicate in a way similar to how different species in ecosystems communicate with one another for the health of the whole.

Also discussed is the importance of inspiring in our youth a sense of place and understanding of the natural world.

Change of behaviour is the way to move forward, and can come from being, as Clifford says, "a conduit for change”.

Clifford Paul is a father and grandfather. He has done a variety of work, including as a writer, photographer, and editor, and as the Criminal Records Manager and dispatch trainer for the Unama’ki Tribal Police. Now Moose Management Coordinator for UINR (Unama’ki Institute for Natural Resources), Clifford's other passion is creating jewelry through his business BearMan Authentics.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Unama’ki Institute for Natural Resources (UINR)

A CBC Article (Jan.,/22) about Two-eyed seeing

Article by Dr. Shelley Denny “Herring Study Confirms Mi’kmaq Observation”

Elder Voices podcast

Bob Bancroft is a wildlife biologist, writer, and media communicator. For 48 years he has nurtured former pasture land in eastern Nova Scotia back to ecological forest health. The 56 acres now have 52 tree species and many restored wildlife habitats. A former FSC assessor, Bob stepped down as president of the Nova Forest Alliance, the Model Forest for Nova Scotia and PEI, after a contractor clear-cut a neighbour’s land; Two provincial and one federal department would not enforce environmental laws that had been broken.

Bob is the current President of Nature Nova Scotia, a group of individuals and 25 organizations attempting to raise a stronger voice for nature to counter the gutting of Nova Scotia’s forests and habitats.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Save Our Old Forests website , Facebook and Instagram hashtag #saveouroldforests

Article by Bob Bancroft about the recent bird loss study

Natura Nova Scotia

Sion Sound Studio

Donna Crossland's primary focus is on protecting healthy Wabanaki-Acadian forest. As a National Park Warden early in her Parks Canada career, protecting ecological integrity ofwoodlands and waters instilled an unrelenting desire to conserve what remains of our natural heritage. She retired from a career as a biologist at Parks Canada and now leads protection of old growth hemlock groves, working to conserve this majestic conifer tree against attack from an invasive insect, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). She was the ‘HWA Project Coordinator’ at Kejimkujik, and now holds the same title through the Medway Community Forest Coop. 

Donna has provided key direction on two provincial forestry strategies.

She is the daughter of the last horse logger in her natal community of East Dalhousie.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Save Our Old Forests website , Facebook and Instagram hashtag #saveouroldforests

Suzanne Simard's book Finding the Mother Tree

Global Forest Watch interactive forest and tree cover change data

Provincial landscape viewer

Sion Sound Studio

Hear about the story and evolution of a small group of people finding solutions, and about the actions we can each take as individuals to make a difference for the health of our forests. Join us in contemplating the ownership and management of "crown land" and some root causes and challenges behind our current forest crises.

Rob Bright spent the early part of his career working with street youth in downtown Toronto before becoming a social researcher studying harm reduction with injection drug users. After several years Rob switched things up and went to chef school. It was there that he found a passion in following food from farm to table, and learning about where food comes from. Rob and his wife, Laura, made the move to Hampton, on the North Mountain, in 2018 to follow their dream of growing and raising their own food. Once the gardens were built and the hens started laying, Rob turned his attention to the clearcutting that is hidden not far from the side of the roads. He became involved with a small group of concerned neighbours to help raise funds to save a forest on Arlington Road. This evolved into the Arlington Forest Protection Society of which Rob is the current Vice-President.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Save Our Old Forests website , Facebook and Instagram

hashtag #saveouroldforests

In this episode, Shawn introduces the moons of this time of year and how they relate to understanding animals and plants throughout the seasons, and about some of the relationships in the forest. He also talks about the importance of school students learning about Mi’kmaw culture and, in fact, all cultures, and becoming comfortable with cultural diversity. Shawn shares about Netukulimk, a way of living, and about how there can be differences in Mi’kmaw teachings from different communities, how all teachings are rooted in respect, and about the tolerance of Mi’kmaw people to hold these differences and a way that doesn’t designate right or wrong.

Shawn Feener is a Mi'kmaw knowledge holder and a conservationist. He has worked in the conservation field for many years as a fish biologist, and has recently entered the education field. Shawn has lived close Pijinuiskaq or the Lahave River his whole life and has had the pleasure of working with some of the beings that call Pijinuiskaq home. He completed a diploma in Wildlife Conservation at Holland College in Prince Edward Island, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick, and is currently working on a Bachelor of Education at St. FX in Nova Scotia.

Shawn and I met in the Sipekne'katik district of Mi’kma’ki, and the episode production occurred just across the river in the Kesputwik district. This is the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq.

RESOURCES:

Moon phases online resource: "Time and Date"

Mi’kmaw Moons facebook page

Other podcasts of interest, mentioned in this episode:

"Below the Canopy" by Community Forests International  

"Elder Voices", through How We Thrive

Both of these limited series podcasts are available through all major streaming platforms.

This conversation with Peter Romkey touches on the Christmas tree industry, the early days of glyphosate use in the Cape Breton Highlands, some natural history, and Peter’s idea for a specific incentive for private landowners. We hear about what he thinks should change in forestry and why the future could look much different.

Nova Scotia and the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest Region has been home to Peter Romkey for his entire life. During his year at Maritime Forest Ranger School he became enthralled with indigenous plants. His professional career with Lands and Forestry and The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University allowed him to gather a great deal of practical knowledge about plants et al. 

Retired now on Romkey Hills on the South Shore, Peter spends his time gardening, constructing stone walls and buildings, and brewing New England-style IPA along with a few other hobbies. 

Peter says, "I’m very grateful that the wildlife in our small forest has welcomed us to their home and I promised them it will be better after we leave."

RESOURCES:

K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens website

The "Lahey Report" (officially titled: An Independent Review for Forest Practices in Nova Scotia)

OTHER RESOURCES:

www.mikmaqonline.org and the section specific to trees

To donate to Shared Ground through the Ko-fi site

During this episode, consider the many reasons why folks including Mike Lancaster are dedicated to an Ingram River Wilderness Area, and how wilderness areas support a wide range of recreational uses.

Hear why land-level planning is crucial to protecting areas of such fragility and importance, about the many opportunities for various economic activities that are aligned with ecological values, some cool facts about the size and age of some trees in this region, and some surprising history of the forestry industry’s reaction to the pulpwood industry in Nova Scotia in the ‘60s. 

We gain a greater awareness of what our Wabanaki-Acadian forests are capable of and what that can mean for our communities. It is inspiring to consider the diversity of what is possible when we manage our human actions for values that include ecological and community health.

Mike Lancaster's work crosses multiple disciplines with a focus on forestry, conservation, and community development. Some of the many roles that Mike fills include being the Executive Director of the St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association, the Stewardship Coordinator for the Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization, and the Coordinator of the Healthy Forest Coalition. Mike also owns his own forest and trail management and consulting company where he works with clients to implement management strategies to achieve their goals while ensuring that ecological values take the forefront of decision making. Mike also sits on the board of the Medway Community Forest coop

Mike clearly explains the three important elements- of how, where and when- of good forestry and gives clarity to some of the issues surrounding various aspects of forestry, as well as some of the terms which have come to replace the wording of “clear cutting”, and  about some of the competing interests between various governmental departments. Hear about the watershed-based approach of the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association, and take heart in knowing there is a need for more foresters who are able and willing to do work for woodlot owners who prioritize ecological values over an extractive model and that this is an opportunity for emerging foresters.

Join us for this informative hour!

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Protect the Ingram River Wilderness Area  website 

St. Margaret’s Bay Community Enterprise Centre

St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association

Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization 

The Healthy Forests Coalition

Larchwood (in Cape Breton)   

Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan

Annual Progress Reporting for the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act

The...]]>Join us for the story of a canoe “marathon”, completed in less than a day, in which four Nova Scotians traveled from one side of the province to the other, and why they did it. 

During this episode, consider the many reasons why folks including Mike Lancaster are dedicated to an Ingram River Wilderness Area, and how wilderness areas support a wide range of recreational uses.

Hear why land-level planning is crucial to protecting areas of such fragility and importance, about the many opportunities for various economic activities that are aligned with ecological values, some cool facts about the size and age of some trees in this region, and some surprising history of the forestry industry’s reaction to the pulpwood industry in Nova Scotia in the ‘60s. 

We gain a greater awareness of what our Wabanaki-Acadian forests are capable of and what that can mean for our communities. It is inspiring to consider the diversity of what is possible when we manage our human actions for values that include ecological and community health.

Mike Lancaster's work crosses multiple disciplines with a focus on forestry, conservation, and community development. Some of the many roles that Mike fills include being the Executive Director of the St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association, the Stewardship Coordinator for the Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization, and the Coordinator of the Healthy Forest Coalition. Mike also owns his own forest and trail management and consulting company where he works with clients to implement management strategies to achieve their goals while ensuring that ecological values take the forefront of decision making. Mike also sits on the board of the Medway Community Forest coop

Mike clearly explains the three important elements- of how, where and when- of good forestry and gives clarity to some of the issues surrounding various aspects of forestry, as well as some of the terms which have come to replace the wording of “clear cutting”, and  about some of the competing interests between various governmental departments. Hear about the watershed-based approach of the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association, and take heart in knowing there is a need for more foresters who are able and willing to do work for woodlot owners who prioritize ecological values over an extractive model and that this is an opportunity for emerging foresters.

Join us for this informative hour!

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Protect the Ingram River Wilderness Area  website 

St. Margaret’s Bay Community Enterprise Centre

St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association

Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization 

The Healthy Forests Coalition

Larchwood (in Cape Breton)   

Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan

Annual Progress Reporting for the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act

The "Lahey Report" (officially titled: An Independent Review for Forest Practices in Nova Scotia)

Lahey’s evaluation of progress, Nov. 2021

Harvest Plans Map Viewer

Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association

Community-based forest management:

• Mi'kmaq Forestry Initiative
• Medway Community Forest Coop

Gov’t of Canada information on the Migratory Birds Convention Act

Against the Grain, a book by L. Anders Sandberg 

FAQs from the Protected Areas and Ecology’s branch of  NS Environment and Climate Change 

OTHER RESOURCES:

link to find your MLA

8-minute interview on CBC Information Morning with Mike and Alain about their canoe trip 

Climate Action in K'jipuktuk in Halifax on Friday, Sept 23, 2022

To donate to Shared Ground through the Ko-fi site  

On a beautiful summer day, I met Diane Obed to talk about decolonization, including its importance in environmental movements.

Diane Obed is an Inuk woman mixed with white settler ancestry. She is a mother, writer and community member originally from Hopedale, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, currently living, studying and working in Mi'kma'ki, Nova Scotia. She is presently enrolled in the Educational Foundations PhD program at Mount Saint Vincent University, exploring decolonization and contemplative land-based studies.

In this conversation, Diane shares wisdom, gentleness and many helpful resources, including why cultural diversity loss leads to loss of biodiversity, and the importance of practices that help oneself be grounded in these uncertain times. The connection is explored between current ecological crisis and Indigenous dispossession from their lands. The more people who explore these topics together of the continued effects of colonization, of what decolonization means, and ideas of how we can contribute, the better the chances for a healthier and more whole world.

Episode resources:

Indigenous Climate Action website

website for Healing Haunted Histories, the book by Elaine Enns and Ched Myers

Book referenced by Diane by Inuit Elder: The Qaggiq Model, toward a theory of Inuktut knowledge renewal link to Good Reads

The Land Back paper Diane referenced

Kira Jewel Lingo's website

Kira's episode The way out is in

Developing Stamina for Decolonizing Higher Education: A Workbook for Non-Indigenous People(2021). (This workbook is relevant for anyone, despite it being written for a context of higher education.)

Land Water Spirit on Mighty Networks (an interactive platform through How We Thrive)

Mi’kmaw place and language resources:

Mi'kmaw place names interactive map

Native land .ca

www.mikmaqonline.org and the section specific to trees

Other resources:

Treaty Education,  Nova Scotia: 13...]]>Most of us are wanting to better support Indigenous people on the lands we now also call home. We want to learn and understand more about the connections between current ecological catastrophes and colonization, and about coming into right relationship with the land and the first peoples of the land. Join us for this conversation about the lifelong journey of living respectfully within Mi’kma’ki, or wherever you may be, and contributing to regeneration and healing.

On a beautiful summer day, I met Diane Obed to talk about decolonization, including its importance in environmental movements.

Diane Obed is an Inuk woman mixed with white settler ancestry. She is a mother, writer and community member originally from Hopedale, Nunatsiavut, Labrador, currently living, studying and working in Mi'kma'ki, Nova Scotia. She is presently enrolled in the Educational Foundations PhD program at Mount Saint Vincent University, exploring decolonization and contemplative land-based studies.

In this conversation, Diane shares wisdom, gentleness and many helpful resources, including why cultural diversity loss leads to loss of biodiversity, and the importance of practices that help oneself be grounded in these uncertain times. The connection is explored between current ecological crisis and Indigenous dispossession from their lands. The more people who explore these topics together of the continued effects of colonization, of what decolonization means, and ideas of how we can contribute, the better the chances for a healthier and more whole world.

Episode resources:

Indigenous Climate Action website

website for Healing Haunted Histories, the book by Elaine Enns and Ched Myers

Book referenced by Diane by Inuit Elder: The Qaggiq Model, toward a theory of Inuktut knowledge renewal link to Good Reads

The Land Back paper Diane referenced

Kira Jewel Lingo's website

Kira's episode The way out is in

Developing Stamina for Decolonizing Higher Education: A Workbook for Non-Indigenous People(2021). (This workbook is relevant for anyone, despite it being written for a context of higher education.)

Land Water Spirit on Mighty Networks (an interactive platform through How We Thrive)

Mi’kmaw place and language resources:

Mi'kmaw place names interactive map

Native land .ca

www.mikmaqonline.org and the section specific to trees

Other resources:

Treaty Education,  Nova Scotia: 13 minute YouTube video “We are all Treaty People”

An article from the UN library: Biocultural Resilience for Systems Change, which includes ideas of Dr. Luisa Maffi

A special celebration was happening to mark the solstice, Indigenous People’s Day in Canada, and a victory for the protection of this forest.  Extinction Rebellion and others had been based in this forest since last December to protect it from being logged. Due to the at-risk species of lichen that they found, the majority of the forest is now off-bounds to logging, and the Forest Protectors have taken down the camp and declared a win.

This episode is a compilation of different people offering their insights and reflections about how their involvement in Last Hope Camp affected them. During the last part of this show, we get an update from Nina Newington, one of the people who offered incredible dedication and creativity towards the protection of this forest, and learn how and why the Last Hope Camp is transitioning to a broader movement, the Last Hope Campaign. 

Get a feel for what it was like at the camp, why so many people came together, the strong community that formed, and what was achieved.

For anyone who feels overwhelmed and despairing due to all the interconnected world challenges, find some hope here! We don’t always know at first how to help or make a difference, or what an ultimate solution will be, but we can certainly find “the next right thing to do”, and build community with others doing that as well.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Facebook pages for news on the Last Hope Campaign-

Bioblitz Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia)

Extinction Rebellion Mi'kma'ki/Nova Scotia

XR email address: xrns@riseup.net

CBC Information Morning interview with Nina Newington on June 22/22

Also, see Shared Ground episodes 1 and 2 for more about Last Hope Camp

He also offers some thoughts on the internet, critical thinking, how technology can interfere with feedback loops, and the danger of "experts".

Soren grew up in the country in both Denmark and Canada and is passionate about the outdoors and how we humans relate to nature.

For twenty-seven years, Soren was a professor in Biology at Acadia University where he taught ecology and conservation biology. He is president of the Blomidon Naturalists Society.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Soren's website, where you can also find the books he's written

Blomidon Naturalists Society

The BNS' podcast

A summary of the species-at-risk court case in Nova Scotia

The book, Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Stats Canada annual survey of forestry

ALSO

(Some economic resources)

Engage Nova Scotia- Quality of Life Index

3-minute video explaining how banks create money, and that it is possible to design a different system that leads to healthier, fairer, and more sustainable societies.

Time Article about Donut Economics and its implementation in some municipalities around the world.

A report from the Government of Canada highlighting various measures of well-being, beyond the GDP.

The story of change (6-minute whiteboard animated video)

A resource about the power of ethical consumerism, and with resources on everything from search engines to accommodations, such as Fairbnb.

Rosmarie began her company, Helping Nature Heal, twenty years ago. She has a B.A. in Conservation and Environmental Studies from York University and has also studied Architectural Design, Horticulture as Therapy, Ecological Landscape Design, Shoreline Erosion, and Landscape Management. She originally came to Nova Scotia to study ecological forestry and organic gardening at Windhorse Farm, in 1999.

Note: Windhorse Farm has been renamed to Asitu'lɨsk (pronounced ah-see-dew-lisk). This Mi'kmaw name means "that which gives you balance".

Hear a bit about her experience at that special place, as well as how Helping Nature Heal works around migrating birds and nesting season and a belief in kinship to all creatures. Learn about Rosmarie’s philosophies of giving and receiving, the importance of being outside, and be inspired by her attitude of possibility and finding opportunities in challenges.

The 3-pronged sustainability approach of finding equilibrium between ecological, societal and economic values are central to Rosmarie’s business model, and you will hear about that, too, including how a modern-day landscaping company can be run with minimal use of machinery, and the many reasons behind  that choice.

Episode Resources

Helping Nature Heal

Mi’kmaq Place Names (with audio pronunciations)

An internet resource for the Mi'kmaq language: mikmaqonline.org

Nature of Hosting project and the podcast episode Field of Generosity 

About Asitu'lɨsk (formerly Windhorse Farm)

• Their website and Facebook page
• Press Release from the Windhorse Farm website
• A CBC article about the land transfer

Jamie Simpson’s books

Symphony of the Soil film 

Also

Op-Ed piece by Lindsay Lee about forestry and migratory birds

Gaia Education programs (online and in person)

Former librarian Frances Anderson began studying lichens in 2000. Since then she has explored thousands of kilometers of back woods in Nova Scotia, discovered lichen species new to the province and to the Maritimes, written and co-authored over a dozen papers on lichens and a field guide designed to bring (sometimes mysterious) lichens to the general public. She is a Research Associate at the Nova Scotia Museum.

Frances explains what lichens are, how they reproduce, and what roles they have within the ecosystem, how they can assist in air pollution monitoring, some applications in medicine, and also Frances talks about how much we still don’t know about lichens! 

You can find supplementary photos of some lichens that go with the audio on our facebook page.

Episode Resources:

If you are interested in purchasing a hand lens, France recommends this type: A 10x magnifying Hastings triplet lens (but maybe avoid the ultra cheap ones).

The book : Common Lichens of Northeastern North America by Troy McMullin and Frances Anderson. (If you are in Canada, Frances will send you a copy for $40 CAD + shipping. Send me a message through Shared Ground facebook page and I will put you in touch.)

Eagle Hill Institute  (in Maine)

Bioblitz Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia) facebook page

City Nature Challenge

An article about the decision to halt the logging of the 3 parcels to the North of Minamkeak Lake

Bridgewater Watershed Protection Alliance

Another source of information on the watershed and potential Wilderness Area: this eco-action page

This time, you will hear my conversation with Nina Newington. Nina is a gardener, carpenter, writer, forest protector and member of Extinction Rebellion. She and her wife live on the North Mountain in the Kespukwitk district.

Despite the hardships, Nina explains why it feels good to be part of a community of caring people that are getting in the way of harm. Our conversation goes many places, including the importance of art and beauty in activism, and the joy that can be found in connecting with others through engaging in direct action. Nina shares some history of Bowater-Mersey, the former forestry company in Nova Scotia, as well as some natural and cultural local history. She talks a bit about the Lahey Report, which is an independent review of forestry practices in Nova Scotia (commissioned by the NS Government in 2018) and we hear her thoughts on the recent government announcement regarding further implementation of Lahey’s recommendations.

This conversation also touches on the situation of unceded Mi’kmaw lands, the importance of a just transition for commercial forestry workers, and how Nova Scotian values are well-suited to moving in a different direction that is better for the whole.

Episode resources:

The "Lahey Report" (officially titled: An Independent Review for Forest Practices in Nova Scotia)

Lahey’s evaluation of progress, Nov. 2021

Harvest Plans Map Viewer

The NS Government's information about ecological forestry

Upcoming event at Last Hope Camp on June 4/22:

Chainsaw-carving and storytelling with Perry Munro

If you would like to help the Last Hope forest, or want to receive regular email updates from the camp, send an email to : xrns@riseup.net

Nina Newington's website

Nina's book, Cardinal Divide

Also:

Find frequent updates and stories from the camp at this eco-action page

Join me for my first visit up to the Last Hope Wildlife Corridor, which is a forest slated for logging in Annapolis County, in the Kespukwitk district of Mi’kma’ki (in Nova Scotia), and is home to several at-risk species.

Through every kind of weather, for over five months now (at the time of the episode release), rotating groups of campers have been protecting this small area of forest and wetlands through direct action. In addition to the people spending overnights here are hundreds near and far who are also offering energy and resources to saving this forest. Hear why members of Extinction Rebellion, Mi’kmaw grandmothers, hunters, fishers, and others are combining their strength and care to stop logging here.

Get a feel for why folks have been leaving the comforts of their own homes to protect these lands, and about some legal challenges of those who have even been willing to get arrested. During a walk in the woods, you'll hear a touching story of how Extinction Rebellion came to be in Nova Scotia and about some of the reasons and risks of engaging in direct action.

Stay tuned for my return visit to Last Hope Camp, where I meet the oft-mentioned Nina Newington!

Episode resources:

Harvest Plans Map Viewer

Healthy Forest Coalition (HFC)

Medway Community Forest Cooperative

Ecology Action Centre (EAC)

Sierra Club

Paul Hawken's latest book: ReGeneration Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation

The "Lahey Report" (officially titled: An Independent Review for Forest Practices in Nova Scotia)

IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) latest report

CBC Interview on Information Morning with Portia Clark and WestFor president Jamie Lewis (Dec./21)

Find the online fundraising auction for Eleanor at "Extinction Rebellion Mi'kma'ki/NS online auction to Assist with Legal Fees". It will run until noon on Friday, May 27.  

Also:

Find frequent updates and stories from the camp at this eco-action page

How We Thrive (find the Land Water Spirit platform there)