NEW SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO FOCUS ON FORESTRY . . . PROTECTING RARE PLANTS IN YARMOUTH COUNTY . . . FARM FOCUS EDITOR LEAVES TC MEDIA . . . PLANNING IS KEY FOR IRVING PULP MILL MODERNIZATION . . . INVITATION TO MOW: 12TH ANNUAL MARITIME HANDMOWING CHAMPIONSHIPS . . .       
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

NEW SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO FOCUS ON FORESTRY
Source: N.S. Dept of Natural Resources
The Department of Natural Resources has created a Forest Biodiversity Science Advisory Committee to enhance the management of Nova Scotia’s Crown-owned woodlands. The committee includes experts on forest science, biodiversity, ecological planning, and spatial modelling. During quarterly meetings, the members share knowledge and guidance as Nova Scotia moves to landscape scale management of Crown-owned lands. Only 35 percent of all land in Nova Scotia is owned by the province. The rest is owned by private citizens, meaning most forestlands in the province are privately owned and managed. (read more)

PROTECTING RARE PLANTS IN YARMOUTH COUNTY
Source: Farm Focus
A Nova Scotian conservation group has acquired land in Yarmouth County critical to the survival of four nationally endangered plants. The Nova Scotia Nature Trust (NSNT) purchased 122 hectares around Wilson Lake that includes 2.5 km of intact shoreline, critical for the Pink Coreopsis, Plymouth Gentian, Water Pennywort, and Longs Bulrush. These four endangered plants are all found nowhere else in Canada, and only on a small number of lakes. (read more)

FARM FOCUS EDITOR LEAVES TC MEDIA
Source: AtlanticFarmer.com
Heather Jones, editor of Farm Focus, a TC Transcontinental Media publication out of Yarmouth, N.S., left her post August 14, after nearly three decades under at least three different owners of the newspaper launched by Lester Pink in the early 1970s.
Under TC Media, Jones’ responsibilities had grown to include editing four other publications including Atlantic Construction and Transportation Journal, Maritime Provinces Water and Waste Water Journal, Ready-Mix News, and The Trading Post. “I found the work interesting and educational,” Jones said in a brief phone interview. Has she retired? “No,”she replied. “Just taking a break.”

PLANNING IS KEY FOR IRVING PULP MILL MODERNIZATION
Source: Pulp and Paper Canada
The Irving Pulp & Paper mill is in the midst of what could be the largest modernization project in Canada since 1993, and yet the daily operation of the Saint John, N.B., mill continues. “We have not had a single break in production,” said mill manager Cory Gallant. “Despite the incredible amount of construction activity on site, we have remained fully functional with over 340 employees producing pulp products every day for markets at home and abroad.” Gallant says excellent communication between mill employees and project leaders has made the difference. (read more)

INVITATION TO MOW: 12TH ANNUAL MARITIME HANDMOWING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Source: Rural Delivery
Good morning handmowers. It’s time for the 12th Annual Maritime Handmowing Championships: Saturday, August 29, rain or shine (but it always shines!). We hope we will see you and friends that day at the Ross Farm Museum in New Ross with scythes (blades detached and covered) and ready to take part in one or more contests. Novice and “Well Honed Blades” (70 and older) events take place at 11 am. Open competition at 1 pm. Also of course, Hay Forking contest for all ages, the fun “Chair Mowing” contest, plus demonstrations of many practical hay and grain harvesting skills like stacking hay and flailing grain. Prizes for all in the Open championship competition. No charge for those arriving with scythes and ready to join the fun. Please plan to take part, and please spread the word. Thanks to all, Dirk PS: If you are planning to take part it will help with planning if you let us know by email or phone, 902-354-5411, dvlmagazines@gmail.com.