Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust

Our trails are a perfect way to add steps to your day...

The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology looked at the health statistics of 226,889 people from 17 different studies around the world and showed walking at least 3,967 steps a day started to reduce the risk of dying from any cause. The risk then decreases significantly with every 500 to 1000 extra steps you walk over the 3,967. An increase of 1,000 steps a day was associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of dying from any cause, while an increase of 500 steps a day was associated with a 7% reduction in dying from heart disease and stroke.

https://www.hikenovascotia.ca/resources-hiking-trail-news/

Get your photos in...Photo Contest ends on Saturday!

Have you sent in your spring photos? Adult and Youth prizes to be won. www.fivebridgestrust.ca Deadline is June 15. 📸

We’re starting to see some red on the BurnSafe map and the weekend forecast is for warm, dry weather. That means there could be more risk of wildfires. Please check and follow the daily burn restrictions at https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/ .

👁📸Fifth Annual Photo Contest is on...have you submitted your photo from the wilderness area? What did you see? Share with us and potentially win prizes and fame. www.fivebridgestrust.ca 🏆🥇🥈🥉 Bay Treasure Chest The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail Ecology Action Centre Our HRM Alliance Safety Minded ATV Association Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association SMATVA Group HRM Library Sandy Lake Conservation Association Hike Nova Scotia Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia (CKNS)

One of the most common vectors for the introduction of aquatic invasive species into new waterways is through recreational and commercial boats.
‼ Invasive aquatic plants, even fragments, can become entangled on boats, and invasive aquatic animals can be present in standing water or mud.
‼ Some species, such as the Zebra mussel, can survive up to 24 days in standing water under the right conditions.
🧽The best way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species is to thoroughly clean, drain, and dry watercraft before entering new waterways.
💦Boats that have recently left infested waters should be decontaminated with high-pressure hot water externally and low-pressure hot water internally to ensure they are free from invasives before entering a new waterway!

https://fivebridgestrust.ca/wp/?p=35826 Great day for walking in the Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area! Don't forget to get a few beauty shots to enter our Photo Contest...prizes and glory could await! Past winners know that victory feeling...

Photo Contest On Now | Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust Events, News Photo Contest On Now Posted by Admin on April 17, 2024April 17, 2024 Submit your favourite shot from the wilderness area for a chance at prizes and glory! Help us capture photos of Nova Scotia’s beautiful spring awakening by submitting your best spring photo from the wilderness area t...

Critical Trail Repairs for B.L.T. Rails to Trails to Begin May 21, 2024 - B.L.T. Rails to Trails On May 21, 2024, crucial repair work will commence on the B.L.T. Rails to Trails near Tapawingo Lane. These repairs are imperative for the safety and sustainability of our beloved trail, addressing the significant damage caused by the 2023 flash floods. Managed by the Nova Scotia Trail Association o...

FYI..

Nova Scotia provides $2.3 million for bridge replacement work in St. Margaret's Bay, Municipality of Chester!

https://www.hikenovascotia.ca/resources-hiking-trail-news/

📸Spring Photo Contest👀 is on www.fivebridgestrust.ca. As you hike, bike, bird watch or relax in the wilderness area remember to snap a photo to submit for a chance at prizes. Bay Treasure Chest The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail Ecology Action Centre Our HRM Alliance

Shout out of thanks to our dedicated volunteers, many of whom have helped out at Counts for the past 10 years of the Bay Treasure Chest Amazing service to the community. Yesterday's Count team was led by Alana Zeigler, John Cascadden, Beth McGee, Joan Redmond and Peter Lund. 👏🎉

https://fivebridgestrust.ca/wp/?p=35826
5th Annual Photo Contest is now on! Get your springtime shots in of all the flowers, birds and beauty to be seen in the Five Bridges Lakes Wilderness Area The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail Bay Treasure Chest

Photo Contest On Now | Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust Events, News Photo Contest On Now Posted by Admin on April 17, 2024April 17, 2024 Submit your favourite shot from the wilderness area for a chance at prizes and glory! Help us capture photos of Nova Scotia’s beautiful spring awakening by submitting your best spring photo from the wilderness area t...

The Trust has been a solid BTC Partner from the beginning! Thank you to all the volunteers who help us at Counts and support the BTC by playing your toonie. It makes all the difference to the community groups involved.

Today is our tenth birthday!

The very first Bay Treasure Chest draw was on April 16, 2014. That day, we gave away a prize of $896.

This week, our estimated jackpot is $12,000...remember to play your toonie(s) by noon on Wednesday for your chance to win!

And to all our players, volunteers, and retail partners, THANK YOU for 10 years of great support...and counting.

On April 8, most of Nova Scotia will experience a partial, but near-total, eclipse of the sun.

This rare event will occur between approximately 3:24 PM and 5:46 PM, with the peak happening between 4:36 PM and 4:41 PM.

✔️ Wear solar eclipse glasses that comply with the international ISO 12312-2 standard if you choose to view the eclipse.
✔️ Educate kids about eclipse safety and keep pets indoors.
❌Do not look directly at the sun without proper protection. Sunglasses will not protect your eyes.
❌ Be aware vehicle windows and windshields will not protect your eyes.
❌ Never use unfiltered cameras, binoculars, or telescopes to view the eclipse.

If you’re traveling to view the solar eclipse, be safe!

✔️ Keep your eyes on the road.
✔️ Keep your headlights on.
✔️ Use caution when driving. During the eclipse temperatures may drop and could result in icy conditions in low lying areas.
❌ Do not wear solar eclipse glasses while driving.
❌ Do not stop along the side of the road to view the eclipse. Find a safe location off the roadways to view using the proper eyewear.

From leading Bay Treasure Chest Counts, to organizing wilderness activities and community events, and partnering with other environmental groups our volunteers are dedicated to protecting green space for public use. We thank them for their leadership and dedication to the Trust and our community.
https://fivebridgestrust.ca/wp/?p=35816

Coming soon!!!! CBC Nova Scotia Haligonia.ca Blue Nose Long Beards- CWTF Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council Safari Club International Nova Scotia Chapter

One click to a map of where HWA has been found in Nova Scotia.

iNaturalist is a place where you can report hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) sightings.

Also, anyone can view a map of the sightings at the following url : https://inaturalist.ca/observations?place_id=6853&subview=map&taxon_id=61513

Please note that the map only shows reported sightings. HWA could be in an area but has not been reported on iNaturalist. That's where you can help.

If you find HWA, please add it to iNaturalist.

Or we'll do it for you if you'd prefer.

And you can make the location approximate so it isn't tied to a specific location. (say you wanted to report HWA was in the area but you did not want to disclose that it was on your property)

Thank you!

We're only two weeks away from the People's Parade for Life on Earth!

The People’s Parade is a grassroots community parade - a joyful celebration for all to come together in respect and love for Mother Earth, the Water and all our relations. Join us as we celebrate joyful resistance!

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Start time: 2 p.m. at Sackville Landing (Halifax Waterfront)
After Party: 3-5 p.m. at Peace and Friendship Park

Visit linktr.ee/peoplesparade for more info or to register 🌳 🌎️ 🌱


Halifax Noise Halifaxnoise Nova Scotia Environmental Network

It's that time of year that anglers have been waiting for. The 2024 fishing season! NSISC is sending best wishes for a successful fishing season, whether you are a seasoned fisher or just beginning! To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, please remember to practice Clean Drain Dry protocols with your watercraft, equipment, and gear!
🎣Clean – Remove plants, animals, and mud from your boat and gear on dry land.
💦Drain – Remove all water from your boat, gear, and other equipment on dry land.
Don’t forget to pull any plugs!
🧽Dry – Thoroughly dry your equipment and all areas of your boat.

By practicing Clean Drain Dry, you are helping to protect our natural waterways against the spread of aquatic invasive species!

We have a WINNER! Congratulations to Kerrin Perrin from Upper Tantallon, whose registered number 38483 was drawn today for a prize of $24,451. Read Kerrin's story and more BTC news in this week's newsletter, emailed this evening to players.

Next week's prize is an estimated $12,000...good luck!

https://wrweo.ca/wp/2024/03/29/2023-btsp-report-now-available/ Our 2023 BTSP Report is now available, another banner year for the Stewardship Program and our Stewardship Coordinator, Mike Lancaster. Thank you Mike and all the trail users who have contributed to the program.
Some highlights:
Value of the program (both paid and in-kind) = $100,135.47
Over 3,000 Hours of BTSP Stewardship Presence on the trail and broader Wilderness Area
Only 13 illegal fire pits remediated – the lowest number in the program’s history (last year there were 23 illegal fire pits remediated)