Mahone Bay “What we have” Discovering our assets in the Woods, Wetlands and the Watercourse of the publicly owned “Old School Lands” “Old School Lands” © Friends of the Mahone Bay Woods and Soccer Field June 2007

The Woods

Our Acadia Woodland known as the “Old School Lands” is the backyard of our town. Together with the wooded portion of Jubilee Park it covers approximately 23 acres.

Acadian Forests are bio-diverse environments. They are characterized by the diversity of types and ages of trees. They contain small wetlands which provide a habitat to many species of plants and animals.

Our Acadian forest is an asset to our town because it: Protects against drought and flood Protects against drought and flood Stores water in the soils Stores water in the soils Creates the air we breath Creates the air we breath Slows down run-off and prevents erosion Slows down run-off and prevents erosion Provides our own “carbon sink” to counteract global warming Provides our own “carbon sink” to counteract global warming

The Nova Scotia Forest Alliance is concerned about the rapid disappearance of the Acadia Forests. Protecting publicly owned forest is one way to prevent further loss.

“one of the fundamental causes underlying the loss of biodiversity throughout the planet is the fact that societies have failed to value the environment and its resources. “ E.O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life. 1992

The “Old School Lands” contain remnants of “old growth forest”. Most of the trees are approximately 80 years old Within years this will all be old growth. At present only 2% of Nova Scotia’s forests are old growth

This narrow stretch of Fairmont St. is the point at which a well traveled path enters the woods between the old Crouse and Viennotte properties

“Old School Lands” walking trails are also accessed from the playing field, the rail trail and Jubilee Park

Footpaths created through common use over many decades traverse the woodlands. They are used on a daily basis year round for walking, skiing and nature education for children and youth Footpaths created through common use over many decades traverse the woodlands. They are used on a daily basis year round for walking, skiing and nature education for children and youth

The Wetlands

The “Old School Land” consists of forest and wetland. Wetlands consist of swamps and streams which aid the flow of water in and out of a forest.

Wetlands prevent serious water shortages They retain water, providing a natural flood barrier that slows down spring run off and storm water.

Wetlands help to reverse global warming by acting as carbon sinks.

The Department of the Environment and Labour of the Nova Scotian government recognizes the value of wetlands. This is reflected in their ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY ACT: Section 4(2)(n) “one of the province’s goals is to achieve a policy of no net loss of wetlands by Furthermore:

Section3(2)c reads “…the environment and the economy of the Province are a shared responsibility of all levels of Government, the private sector and all the people of the Province”

The Watercourse

The watercourse begins its journey on the ridge of land bordered by the Fauxburg Rd. to the south and by the old railway trail to the east

Deep ditch water passes under the trail at several points and joins with the ground water run-off from the swamp on the south side of the rail trail forming a major stream traveling north

This stream eventually meets up with another at the western edge of the Power Lines at Jubilee Park

Swamp water behind Fairmont St. Extension, arches around #195 Fairmont, filling a small pond, finally passing under the Street and forming a stream.

This stream runs alongside #178. It is this water-table which provides well- water for this property.

It then forms spongy swamps metres wide and rich with ferns, lichens and other plants on the Old School Lands and in Jubilee Park

Swamps are sources of groundwater which provides much of the drinking water in Nova Scotia and are protected by law.

On either side of this swamp is steep wooded rocky terrain. This mixture of swamp and slope is the site for the proposed Youden development.

The run-off which began its course in the hills to the SW of the town eventually enters the town’s Duck Pond either by stream or by groundwater seepage

The Jubilee Park Duck Pond depends on this watercourse for its existence

Excess pond water flows from the north corner through a culvert and into a stream bed on the other side of the lane

The stream alongside Tiny Tot playground, continues northward from the pond. It passes under Clairmont street by culvert After a single June rainfall the flow is considerable

The stream empties into the Maggie- Maggie River behind #50 Clairmont St. Much of it though remains behind in the swamps and bogs of the “old school lands” protecting the town from flooding.

The watercourse which winds its way through the “Old School Lands” and Jubilee Park is carried by the Maggie-Maggie to the sea.

What would we lose if the woods were cut down, the wetlands the wetlands filled in and the watercourse drastically altered? What would we lose if the woods were cut down, the wetlands the wetlands filled in and the watercourse drastically altered?

The Woods, Wetlands and the Watercourse are real and tangible assets to the people of Mahone Bay. We need to protect them.