Early last year, I made four predictions relating to Nova Scotia's trees and forests. So how did it pan out???
Prediction 1 -- Hemlocks will be saved where private citizens take the initiative.
PARTIALLY TRUE
Many private citizens hired individuals with a pesticide license to treat their hemlocks.
But we had been hoping for a larger private citizen initiative which did not pan out.
However, the provincial government stepped up with an ambitious plan to identify high priority hemlock stands and the tools to treat the trees.
That's a win in our books.
Prediction 2 -- Conservation in Nova Scotia will get a significant boost this year
TRUE.
Many ambitious land conservation projects took place this year. The Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, The Provincial Government. New initiatives like the Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust, Growing Forests. And the turnaround at Owl's Head and Bridgewater are examples of how people power can make a difference.
Prediction 3 -- Outdoor recreation will have a banner year
TRUE.
Nova Scotia provincial parks had a banner year -- the best ever. Our two National Parks -- Keji and the Cape Breton Highlands -- both reported significant visitor increases.
Prediction 4 -- Disaster Planners will move to protect hemlocks to mitigate the effects of climate change
When I made this prediction, I thought it was wishful thinking.
But you know what, thoughts can become things.
$10M in Federal Funding for climate change was directed towards the hemlock woolly adelgid. And this has made a HUGE difference.
Incredible.
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