Summer 2020 Update

The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association has again been operating the seasonal Interpretive Centre in the Historic Killam Brothers Building on Water Street in Yarmouth. It serves as an outreach opportunity to visitors and the community to highlight things to do and see in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

This summer we have had four summer students working on grants through Canada Summer Jobs and one student working with us on a Canada Summer Jobs grant through the Yarmouth Waterfront Development Corporation. With the reduced volume of tourists this summer, it has provided an excellent opportunity for the students to work on some projects that would not otherwise be possible. These will enhance our ability to communicate with the public about the wonderful things to see and do in Southwest Nova Scotia.

The Interactive Science Atlas project is entering a second phase of development. Check it out on line at scienceatlas.ca.

This is an excellent tool to learn about the region with chapters on Climate, Geology, Topography, Coastal Features, Forests, Biodiversity, Protected Areas, Agriculture, Communities, Culture and Heritage.

We have entered into discussion with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to expand the Interactive Science Atlas to the whole province so it can be used as a teaching tool in classrooms across Nova Scotia. A portion of the funding for the project has been secured from the Department.  We are actively seeking sources for the remaining portion. That phase of the project is expected to begin in the fall of 2020 in partnership with the Centre for Geographic Sciences.