Printed in Halifax Openfile on June 5, 2012
LIZZY HILL
A crowd representing the interests of over 100 groups crammed into the Lord Nelson yesterday in hopes of derailing the provincial government’s new Aquaculture strategy.
The strategy—released May 29—calls for more open net pen salmon feedlots in Nova Scotia. Groups one wouldn’t typically see working together are calling for [...]

Local environmentalists are trying to create a home in their back yards for native plants and the critters that come with them—but many are finding that the demand for these plants locally is exceeding the supply, as local nurseries mostly stock non-native, imported species.

There’s no need for your bland grocery-store cheeses, as Atlantic Canadian artisanal cheeses can hold their own on any board. Jess Ross, owner of Gold Island Bakery, sells Au Fond des Bois’ goat cheeses (aufonddesbois.com) Saturdays in the Halifax Historic Farmers’ Market(Brewery Market, 1496 Lower Water Street, 423-2279). Originally from Belgium, farmers Marina and Patrick Henderson’s powerful, pungeant goat brie ($7), a product of happy goats that get to scamper through New Brunswick forests, is nothing short of a crowd-pleaser.

by LIZZY HILL
November 18, 2o11, Halifax OpenFile
At first glance, the Bedford Basin Waterfront may look like a mass of mono-colour condos and new high-rise developments, but the Southern edge of what was once Crosby Island boasts a tidal pool and natural reef.
The area, which the Waterfront Development Corporation (WDCL) plans to infill, is frequented by a [...]

REPORTED BY
LIZZY HILL, October 26, 2011
in Halifax OpenFile
The province granted official wilderness status yesterday to 8,600 hectares of Crown lands in the Five Bridge Lakes area. The land includes forest, barrens, wetlands, rivers and lakes and is home to a population of around 25 endangered mainland moose.
“The community really wanted this area protected. They’ve been working towards [...]

Everyone in environmental circles had been waiting for the last couple years for the new wetlands policy. When the NDP government finally released the policy, I was keen to speak with those behind the policy and those who the policy affected about what the policy meant to them.

Inspired by the bicycle-powered businesses in Halifax’s north end, I wrote an article for Progress Magazine’s 101 Innovation Issue, celebrating businesses that slash their fuel costs by turning to cargo bikes.
You can view it for free in the digital edition of Progress Magazine.

We can hear the sounds of traffic whizzing down the 102, as we clamber up the rocks behind the Bayers Lake IMAX to a grassy bank of earth. The snow has thawed, revealing shredded plastic bags clinging to the bare branches of trees, old decomposing department store flyers and scads of wild blueberry bushes. Decked out in rubber boots and armed with guidebooks about Nova Scotia’s flora and fauna, we disturb a few teenagers looking to spark a joint as we trek into a berry forager’s paradise.

With the holidays upon us along with tough financial times, your donations will be much appreciated at these local non-profits.

If solutions aren’t found soon to transfer billions of dollars in farm capital to younger hands, the Atlantic Canada’s agriculture industry will take a huge hit when the baby boomers finally retire. Also at risk is generations of knowledge about unique aspects of Atlantic Canadian farms and local food-production techniques. Luckily, a crop of young agri-preneurs are blazing trails and embracing alternative models to conventional agriculture.