WHAT’S GROWING
HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID
ROSS CREEK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS UPCOMING PROGRAMMING
Invasive forest pest has arrived in Kings County Samuel Jean, Conservation & Education Assistant
Submitted
I experience a great sense of calmness and well-being whenever I walk in a hemlock stand like those found at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, in the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, and, closer to us, in the Kentville Ravine and along the Gaspereau river. Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, is a foundation species. It provides numerous ecological services and habitat to many plants and animals. Its root system prevents erosion, and the dense shade it casts plays an important role in regulating the temperature of adjacent streams. This once very common late-successional conifer is nowadays mostly found in fragmented patches of old growth forest and is under threat by an invasive alien species. Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) threatens Nova Scotia’s eastern hemlock stands. Detected in the province for the first time in 2017, the aphid-like insect made its way to at least seven counties (Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Lunenburg and, since May 2021, Kings). It was probably inadvertently introduced to North America via a shipment of non-native hemlock trees that were imported for ornamental purposes. Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) feeds on hemlock nutrient and water storage cells at the base of needles. It can cause a rapid decline; infested trees can die within a few years only. Without natural predators to keep the HWA population in check, the future of our eastern hemlock seems grim. Biocontrol research is currently happening in the United States, but we need to buy time as it can take years for biocontrol agents to reach required population levels after being released.
While the past few months have certainly been topsy-turvy we have been busy preparing and dreaming for the future! We can’t wait to welcome you back up the mountain and we have some exciting things coming! Magical Torchlight Snowshoe & Raclette March 5 at 6:30pm A firelit forest adventure! All ages welcome!
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees in the Kentville Ravine
You can do your part to slow the spread of HWA by not moving hemlock material, and by keeping an eye out for this insect when visiting an area that contains hemlock trees. Be on the lookout for white, waxy tufts (“fuzz balls”) on the underside of hemlock twigs, near the base of the needles. Report your observations through iNaturalist. After visiting infested stands, avoid visiting non-infested ones to prevent HWA spread. More information about this pest can be found on the Blomidon Naturalist Society website. To experience the serenity of the Kentville Ravine Trail from wherever you are, hop on a virtual 360° tour prepared by Paul Illsley at kentvilleravine.ca. If you listen carefully, you might hear brown creepers, hermit thrushes, oven birds, golden-crowned kinglets, blue jays, mourning doves, and red squirrels. A fundraiser to treat some of the Kentville Ravine hemlock trees against HWA is currently underway. You can learn more about it in the News & Events section of the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre website.
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KENTVILLE RAVINE CLOSED FOLLOWING EXTREME WEATHER EVENT Submitted
On February 18 and 19, heavy rainfall in Kentville caused erosion in the Kentville Ravine, closing the park until further notice. Public safety is of utmost concern. Town staff ask that the public not enter the park for any reason, from any point of entry. Currently, the Town of Kentville and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are working together to develop a reopening plan. “This was a very significant movement of land,” says Rachel Bedingfield, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Kentville. “We are deeply saddened that this extreme weather caused significant damage in a well-loved old growth wilderness area.” “The ecological impacts are potentially profound and need to be understood,” confirms Tom Herman from the Friends of the Kentville Ravine. “I have never witnessed such a dramatic and powerful example of climate change, extreme weather in this case, resulting in a degraded and permanently altered natural area.”
Footing is unstable throughout the ravine. Although residents may feel compelled to enter the park, the public should not enter the Kentville Ravine before authorities have a full understanding of the damage. Town staff ask that the public be patient and let these organizations complete their assessment. “Staff in town hall and members of the Friends of the Kentville Ravine understand that residents may feel a great sense of loss about the impact of this extreme weather on the park,” continues Bedingfield. “We will keep the public updated as we work through determining next steps.”
❧ For More Information: Town contact: Rachel Bedingfield, Director of Parks and Recreation and Municipal Accessibility Coordinator rbedingfield@kentville.ca 902-679-2541 Friends of the Kentville Ravine contact: Tom Herman, Tom.herman@acadiau.ca 902-670-3535
CFUW 54TH ANNUAL BOOK SALE
WOLFVILLE LIONS CLUB COMMUNITY HALL 36 Elm Avenue, Wolfville (turn at the Town Clock) Thursday, March 24, 10am – 4pm (Dealers only) Friday, March 25, 9am – 9pm; Saturday, March 26, 9am to 3pm After having a small book sale last spring we are again holding a book sale as shown above. We decided again to have a special day for dealers and hope you will take advantage. If not, come on one of the other two days. We have our usual great collection of Canadian, Nova Scotia, collectors’ and other special books, classics, biographies, history, military, nature, travel, paperbacks and mysteries, religion & philosophy, cookbooks, gardening books, lifestyle, reference, non-fiction,
14 | March 2022
science fiction, children’s books, jigsaw puzzles, games and much more, including a large collection of photography books, art books, coffee table books, and gift books. If you have any questions about the Annual CFUW Book Sale, you can contact Winnie Horton: 902-542-2352 or gvimages@ bellaliant.net. We hope you can support us in this major fundraising endeavour!
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The forest transforms into a different world at night. Let our torches guide your way through the winter landscape on this magical tour of Primrose Path (approx.imately 2km). Thrill your senses, and get a glimpse of the nocturnal side of nature. Our trails wind through 178 acres of beautiful fields and forests—perfect for a nighttime adventure. Stay after for an optional Raclette Dinner or enjoy the tasty hot drinks and homemade sweet treats for sale at the Centre. Bring your own snowshoes or call ahead to rent (48 hours is recommended). Registration open at artscentre.ca/ natural-adventures! March Break and SummerArts Camps 2022! March Break: March 14-18 SummerArts: July 4-29 We are so excited to share our March Break and SummerArts programs for ages 4-16 with you! This past year a number of our programs sold out, so don’t miss the opportunity for extraordinary programs in a beautiful setting. Following all Covid protocols in a way that keeps the joy and magic of creativity and community central, Ross Creek’s March Break and SummerArts programs are all taught by working professional artists with a fabulous support staff. Focussing on both creative skill development and fun, with outdoor classrooms and recreation, camp is the way childhood should be. Our March Break and SummerArts programs include delicious and nutritious lunches and snacks, and all materials. We even have limited transportation available on our shuttle. Choose a single day or a whole week of amazing experiences (and stay overnight this summer for an unforgettable camp experience)!
July 31-August 12 Our Teen Arts Academy is a two week immersive arts program providing professional direction and focus to help teens realize their inner artist. An exceptional faculty works closely with each student, stressing individual growth while encouraging achievement and cooperation. While the program is demanding we also encourage recreation and relaxation on our 178-acre property, with rustic cabins, walking trails, fresh-made local food and beach trips all supported by our highly-trained camp staff. Choose Theatre, Visual Arts, Film, Choreography, Writing, or Music for an extraordinary experience. Register and learn more at artscentre.ca/ summerteens! Dance Summer Dance For ages 13-18 July 31-August 12 DSD is back and better than ever! This intense and inspiring mix of dance and camp creates life-changing experiences for young dancers. Small class sizes ensure individual coaching and help to create attentive and supportive rehearsal environments. The program combines education in modern and ballet technique and choreography in a non-competitive setting with live accompaniment. Between classes, we encourage recreation and relaxation on our 178-acre property, with walking trails. Our meals are freshly-made and nutritious, with much of our food grown on site. We are committed to the study of dance as part of a healthy, full life for all. We are equally committed to the development of dance professionals, and our dance programs serve both kinds of students well. Register and learn more now at artscentre.ca/ dancesummerdance! Stay tuned for more exciting events, workshops, and programs at Ross Creek as well as more details about Two Planks and a Passion Theatre’s show-stopping 31st season! To check out all that we have going on at Ross Creek you can visit artscentre.ca and follow us @rosscreek and @twoplanksandapassion on Instagram!
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Register now and learn more at artscentre.ca/ youth-arts-camps! Summer Teen Arts Academy For ages 14-18
Random Acts of Kindness You know that kindness is still with us when a person puts the feelings and sensibilities of another before monetary profit. I was at White Point Beach resort, with friends, this past November for my birthday. I had not been there for forty years, and it was to be very special. I had been saving for months, my family kicked in, and I had made the reservation weeks before the outing. Somehow the reservation was not what I had planned for. I thought that my party would have to leave early (one night, one meal) instead of the anticipated two nights and five meals. We were very disappointed. I was going back and forth from the front desk to my friends and getting advice from everyone. Even our server, Maria, was rooting for us. The site manager, Dylan, came and offered us a reduced rate, but it was still more than I had budgeted for. He also went back and forth with me to the front desk to try and figure out what had gotten mixed up with my “oh so careful” planning. In the end, he came back and said that he was so tired of feeling like the bad guy because of Covid and that he reduced our bill so significantly that we could stay for our planned time. The staff were absolutely terrific. It was a great time. The grounds are wonderful, with bunnies and great walks. We even watched surfers. The food was fantastic, I think we all gained weight, but the pool and sauna helped to keep that at bay. In an email answer to one of my own, Dylan later said that “money could always be earned, but the memories made and moments between family and friends were far more important.” He was glad that he ended up being part of our experience. Gracious and considerate. It truly was a wonderful time.
(Submitted by Margot Bishop)
