Wow, I can’t believe it’s January already!
I know I say this every year but seriously, where did the time go? Looking back on the past year, it was filled with much stress and chaos, felt within my own personal life and evidently, within much of the world around us.
Despite all the rough edges of my own lived experience, there were many softer, blessed moments – those that remind me to stay hopeful for and continue to advocate for a peaceful and sustainable future. Taking a moment to reflect on the past year, I am overwhelmed with some of my happiest times and areas of inner growth. One major thing is clear, moving back to the South Shore from the Halifax Regional Municipality to work with the Helping Nature Heal team, has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve made. Being part of Rosie’s team, learning from her and immersing myself in what it means to be part of the ecological restoration world, has been so insightful and fulfilling.
Navigating Mother Earth’s natural processes and exacerbated climate change effects is truly daunting at times… However, being part of a tight knit team and working with communities to build resilience to environmental challenges has been very eye-opening, and a truly remarkable experience. Now, I’d love for you to take a moment to reflect on your past year, the good and the bad, and of course, what you are most hopeful for this year ahead.
The quote by Jonathan Lockwood Huie, “celebrate endings – for they precede new beginnings” is one that, for me instantly corresponds to my lived experience in letting go of the past and embracing a new calendar year, often making new resolutions improving upon myself. This new year, for me, also means embracing nature’s seasonality and change. Ah yes, the change, from rapid growth and the blossoming of life in the spring and summer, to colder weather, limited sunlight, and plant growth within the winter months. This time of year is either your absolute favourite or your very least haha!
I love bundling up in the winter months while drinking lots of hot coco and looking out my window at the beautiful winter-wonderland unfolding before my eyes. I also thoroughly enjoy sledding, skating, and going for walks with my partner and our dog, Sarge. Throwing snowballs in the air for Sarge to catch as we walk the forest’s floor and then stop to make snow angels, all while the snowflakes slowly fall on our frozen rosy-red cheeks – feels absolutely enchanting.
Snapshots of Autumn’s winter – with her partner and her dog Sarge, walking, playing and eating snowballs! So much fun.
Highlights from the amazing season – HNH Team
Working on private properties in NS and monitoring horizontal retreat in Cocagne, NB
Our Team is Keeping Busy – See How We Can Help You Today
Being that it is January, as gardens, meadows and shorelines fall asleep and await warmer, sunnier days, many folks think that the HNH team is hibernating as well, or on hiatus. While this is partially true as we are focusing on our individual rejuvenation after a hard-working year, much of the team is still keeping busy over the winter months! We take this valuable time to research and plan for the upcoming season, as well as conduct various workshops and carry out other essential tasks.
Forest/Resource Management
The restoration crew is still able to conduct resource management within our client’s landscapes. This includes conducting dormant tree and shrub pruning, felling and dismantling large and small trees, woodchip trail installation (utilizing all woody debris to make custom, private pathways – creating curated experiences), as well as post storm clean-up, and biomass addition or removal. Our walking trails can help to connect you with beautiful parts of your property that may have been inaccessible due to thick undergrowth or mobility issues. We develop a plan with you based on your budget of time, energy and how you value the investment you are making in the land and yourself.
Winter Drone Work – Property Assessments
If you have been thinking about booking a consultation with Helping Nature Heal, rest assured that it’s not too late! Winter photography and video drone mapping is still being conducted by Dawn, our Environmental Research Manager. In fact, fall and winter are actually ideal seasons for a site visit!
During this time, we have a unique opportunity to create essential baseline data for your property. The cooler months provide a clearer view of your property’s existing conditions, helping us better understand its ecological dynamics. We can assess factors such as soil composition, drainage patterns, presence of native flora and fauna, percent land cover, shoreline location and land contours.
Moreover, fall and winter are the perfect seasons to initiate monitoring efforts. By starting now, we can establish a baseline for tracking changes in your landscape’s ecological health throughout the year. This data will guide our sustainable landscaping and restoration recommendations and ensure that your outdoor space thrives in harmony with the natural environment.
So, rest assured, you can still obtain an accurate analysis of your property’s ecological attributes, receive detailed reports, and action plans. With the use of proven monitoring programs, our team can help work with you on all of your property goals!
Drone services offers winter photography & video
Highlights of our Research Manager’s drone work!
Seed Starting
Most plants that will be transplanted outdoors are sown in containers indoors within January and February. These plants require a longer growing season than Nova Scotia’s outdoors can offer, not to mention sowing indoors results in a higher rate of germination due to ideal conditions provided. Hardy perennials require 18-20 weeks from seeding indoors to ensure they will be ready for planting outdoors. Additionally, our team starts a wide range of vegetable seeds during this time, including Chinese cabbage, butterhead and leaf lettuces, celery, turnip greens, Swiss chard, collards, kale, etc. Seeds are planted in containers and placed under lights for specific times and constantly maintained to avoid drying out, bolting, or crown rot and insure the best results.
2024 Ecological Landscape Design Winter Course
As announced, we will be offering the 6-week 2024 Ecological Landscape Design Course with our President and CEO, Rosmarie Lohnes. This course requires no previous experience necessary and is for folks who are interested in ecological landscape design, as well as sustainable-low-maintenance organic, restorative, natural and/or food producing landscapes!
This winter course (started on January 3rd, 2024) would make the perfect gift for the naturalist / gardener in your life! The course is offered in:
- pre-recorded form
- in 6 week live sessions
- and in 6 week live sessions, with a site visit
Registration is still open for this educational program offered every Wednesday from 1:00pm-4:00pm January 3rd – February 7th, and again from March 13th – April 17th.
If you are interested in the winter course or spring course, please contact us at office@helpingnatureheal.com or our office can be reached at (902)-543-7416.
18th Annual Seedy Saturday
Seedy Saturday is an annual event at the DesBrisay Museum in Bridgewater that highlights the upcoming growing season, with our hearts centred on community, food security, and sustainability.
The event provides a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge about gardening and access seeds, plants, and garden-related goods, supplies and tools. It is a time when the entire community comes together with guest speakers, local vendors (with buy/sell/trade tables), and hot lunch provided by Fancy Pants Cafe.
The event will be held on February 10th at the DesBrisay Museum in Bridgewater. Admission is by non-perishable food or cash donation, which goes towards the Bridgewater Food Bank. Stay tuned for more details and reach out if you’d like to be part of the event!
Helping Nature Heal Academy + Shop
Justyna has been working tirelessly this winter in creating our Helping Nature Heal Academy (launching this winter) and our up and running Shop “Nature’s Store”, where you can currently purchase the Ecological Design Course 2024 with the option of:
- pre-recorded $195 + hst
- 6 week live $295 + hst
- live session + site visit (Lunenburg + Queens county) $395 + hst
Helping Nature Heal Gift Cards are now available in $250 denominations.
Eco-financing from the Lahave Credit Union
In Closing – Thank You!
The HNH Team is pleased to have closed another page from an awesome year’s book, but the pages are still turning as we have lots in store for you folks this winter season and into the warmer months! We are always learning and developing the most innovative strategies and can’t wait to share these with you through workshops, courses, and in resource management and drone work/assessments to help you with your goals for your unique property!
We encourage using this dormant time to ponder the ups and downs of this past year and to think about your new intentions/resolutions you hold dear to your heart. Remember to take this time to do what you love with who you love, be it birding, sledding, skating, skiing, snow shoeing, or sitting inside reading and watching the snow fall with a hot cup of tea. Remember to rest and rejuvenate where you can and remember, “celebrate endings – for they precede new beginnings”.
Thank you so much to everyone for a fantastic year and those who have signed up for our new year’s offerings. Stay tuned for more details on Seedy Saturday, February 10th, 2023! Keep up to date on our social media (Facebook: Helping Nature Heal INC., and Instagram: helpingnaturehealinc) for current information, more workshops and special activities we have in store for you!