Bras D'or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association Board of Directors

Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association Board of Directors Meeting February 16, 2017 - 1:30 pm, Ross Ferry Community Centre, Ross Ferry Minutes Present: Bruce Hatcher (Chair), Jim Foulds, Jim MacDonald, Don Crosby, Eliot Frosst, Ivan Doncaster, Annamarie Hatcher, Stan Johnson, Candace Christiano, Maureen Cameron-MacMillan, Eileen Crosby, Dave Harris, (12 Board Members – exceeds quorum) Regrets: Jim Burton, Gordon Kerr, Liz MacCormick, Fred White, Madeline Harvey, Tom Johnson, Fraser Patterson 1. Call to Order Welcome from Bruce Hatcher Chair 2. Welcome from Local Hosts (Eliot Frosst on behalf of Fraser Patterson) Eliot reviewed the local history of Boularderie Island and Ross Ferry. History panels were set up in the hall for all to view. Please see attachment included with these minutes. 3. Approval of Agenda Additions to agenda: Item 8.a: Registry of Joint Stocks Item 8.b: CBRM Sustainability Fund Meeting Motion: by Maureen Cameron-MacMillan to approve agenda as modified. Seconded by Eliot Frosst. Motion carried. 4. Approval of Minutes Motion: by Don Crosby to approve the minutes from Jan 20, 2017. Seconded by Eileen Crosby. Motion carried. 5. Business arising from Minutes: a. Trade Mark Identification and Use Motion: Eileen Crosby, having read motion 5.a. from the Motion Sheet (dated 17FEB2017) made a motion for approval. Seconded by Candace Christiano. Discussion on the two official logos (the single BLBRA logo and the combined BLBRA/UNESCO logo), both logos can be used and only these two logos can be used. Motion carried. b. Let’s Talk Parks Canada Workshop Three-hour workshop was in Halifax on 25JAN2017 (stormy day) Candace Christiano attended and circulated report. Discussion on Southwest Nova Biosphere warning that “UNESCO BR recertification is the exercise from hell”. Jim Foulds stated that our recertification process starts in 2020, and centers on justification of what was done over the 10 years. Jim stated that our model fits well for recertification. Jim has sat as a reviewer for recertification of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Area of concern could be around “protected species must be allowed to pass between core and buffer areas” whereas buffer areas in the BLBR are privately owned. Chairman is to contact Southwest Nova, Mr. Clifton Drysdale, re; the problems they encountered. We have time (3 years) to investigate this and work on it. Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association 2 Item 3 – Candace stated no specific marine protected areas discussed or presented on this item. Item 4 – Lots of information to review. Candace will follow up with Madeline Harvey. c. Climate Change Adaptation Colloquium & Forum Jim Foulds reported that a Final Draft proposal (one page) has been pulled together and presented to the organizing committee, to MP Mark Eyking and to the office of Environment and Climate Change Canada (EC3). No feedback has been received to-date. 6. a. Treasurer’s Report: Income statement circulated by Don Crosby dated 11FEB2017. Statement was reviewed by Don, no questions arose. Motion: by Don Crosby that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted. Seconded by Ivan Doncaster. Motion carried. The current total balance of funds is $15,176.27, of which $8,501.14 in unallocated. A letter will be sent to Victoria County stating that the remaining portion of monies received last year will be used this year for the intended purpose of staffing the Biosphere Reserve display at the Alexander graham Bell National Historic Site with a student interpreter during the tourist season.. 7. Committee / Project / Activity Reports Updates: a. CBRA Update by Jim Foulds. There are three meeting planned for this spring: 1) February conference call 2) CDN Commission for UNESCO AGM in Montreal, May 25. Jim will attend 3) CBRA AGM, Northern Quebec, June 19. They are asking for indigenous representation at the June meeting. Tom Johnson may attend. CBRA has not received funding requested (only $2,500 of $50,000 requested). Jim Foulds will share all international correspondence. b. CEPI Draft of the CEPI Sustainable Practices Conference Report passed on to Bruce by Stan Johnson. Annamarie Hatcher has distributed the CEPI Steering Committee report. c. MEMBERSHIP Eliot Frosst, Registrar, gave update: Total Membership: 71 Individual Members: 41 Corporate Members: 5 Family Membership: 10 i. Motion: Don Crosby, having read motion 7.c.i. column 2 from the Motion Sheet (dated 17FEB2017, and drafted by Jim F, Eliot F, Don C, Bruce H), made a motion for approval. Seconded by Maureen Cameron-MacMillan. Motion carried. Motion: by Eliot Frosst that registrar is empowered to offer lifetime membership class to people who have donated amounts in excess of the normal lifetime membership fee. Seconded by Dave Harris. Motion carried. Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association 3 ii Jim Foulds as past Chair has responsibility for board nominations. Jim requested that a nomination committee be established, and he will Chair this Committee. The Committee must have nominations ready for the AGM in June. Dave Harris, Don Crosby and Eliot Frosst volunteered to join the committee. N.B.: All members can suggest possible names to the Nominating Committee for consideration d. SIGNAGE Signage committee report has been circulated. Eileen Crosby gave update. From the meeting with Brian Storrie (signage office of the Provincial DoT): Biggest mistake is people run off and get a graphics designer before meeting with Signage Officer/DoT BLBR can use community welcoming sign format (a mock up welcoming sign was shown to board members) Maps of controlled access highways sign placement was obtained from Brian Storrie (all do’s and don’t listed) Restrictions on piggy-backing signs on municipal signs Confirmation that signs can be allowed and attached to Tourism Signs/Dept Of Nova Scotia Tourism Signs (we have to approach Tourism Nova Scotia and make our case) Next steps: a. Approach Destination Cape Breton to obtain support b. Approach Department of Tourism to see how much collaboration and “piggy- backing” we can accomplish Three other types of signs are not covered by Highways section: i. Welcoming and Confirmation signs ii. Portal signs within community iii. Marine signs e. EDUCATION Jim Burton has circulated report. Annamarie reviewed highlights of report. Christine Christensen is asking for advice on incorporation of indigenous perspective. A PD day for teachers may be an option for BLBR. i-Books Very close to being launched. I-books are very interactive. Will be up and running before end of fiscal year. i) Ostrem –NS-50 Forward Proposal Proposal entails digital storytelling around the biosphere. In-kind support being obtained. Partnering with the Beaton Institute and Cape Breton Partnership. Meeting with Dawn next Tuesday on final proposal. Note: Educational committee needs literacy talented people to join, heavy science presence currently. f. BRAS d’OR WATCH i) TD Bank Grant Application Report has been circulated by Annamarie. Annamarie announced that TD funding was obtained ($13,692.80). Elders workshop is planned. Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association 4 Congratulations by all to Annamarie on obtaining the funding. g TRAIL The trail report is forthcoming. Candace and Maureen gave overview of Wednesday’s meeting: Capstone Project going ahead with focus on Big Pond Trail. Meeting again in Halifax on March 7, 2017 Powerpoint to schools at CBU is delayed Norma MacLeod (Great Trail) is asking for update on trail work done to-date by BLBRA Advisory group of Trail Committee to be renewed & updated Member of Committee going to Biosphere North Trail meeting Working on article for Annamarie “Proud To Share” h. COMMUNICATIONS Motion: Annamarie, having read motion 7.h. from the Motion Sheet (dated 17FEB2017) made a motion for approval. Seconded by Maureen Cameron-MacMillan. Motion carried. Communications committee members to be Jim Foulds, Eileen Crosby, Annamarie Hatcher, Liz MacCormick and Jim MacDonald i) Consistent Media Profile To be looked at by Communications Committee ii) Tourism Promotion Mary Tulle looking at involvement of BLBRA in Saltscapes East Coast Expo, April 21-23, 2017. Motion to buy a booth at Saltscapes was un-seconded. Eliot to work with communications committee for the 2018 event. 8. Correspondence: a. Joint Stocks Responsibility to pass from Jim Foulds (past Chair) to Bruce Hatcher (Chair). b. CBRM Sustainability Fund Annamarie attended information meeting (CBRM) on Feb 15. 100 people attended. There is $356,000 available this year for events and festivals. We fit all criteria. Projects that fit: i. Hike The Hill – Ben Eoin ii. Bras d’Or Watch – CBRM sites 9. New Business: a. Nothing to report. b. Meeting on May 19 (Friday), suggestion to have @ Big Spruce (38 people max) or Middle River Community Hall Motion to adjourn by Jim MacDonald Meeting Ended @ 4:55 PM Next Meeting: Friday 17 March 2017 at Iona Legion Jim MacDonald, Secretary BLBRA Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association 5 Appendix: A Bit of History of Boularderie Island and Ross Ferry At 40 km (25 mi) long and between 3 km (2 mi) to 10 km (6 mi) wide, Boularderie Island is Nova Scotia's second largest island after Cape Breton Island. Two outlets of Bras d'Or Lake run on each side of the island to the Atlantic Ocean: the Great Bras d'Or channel runs along the island's northwestern shore, and St. Andrews Channel and the Little Bras d'Or channel run along the island's southeastern shore. The history of Boularderie Island stretches back to the Mi’kmaq people. They established summer camps for gathering herbs, hunting and fishing along these shores before the arrival of the French in 1727. The Island is named after Louis-Simon de la Boularderie who, with his family, farmed, fished and mined coal here for 16 years before the siege of Louisbourg.

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