Bras d'Or HE LUE ERON TThe Bras B d’Or Stewardship H Society P.O. Box 158, Baddeck, Nova Scotia B0E 1B0 St y ew iet ardship Soc

VOLUME 9 10TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE - JULY 2007 NO. 2 his issue of The Blue Heron of global warming, destruction of deny global warming is a significant Tcelebrates the tenth anniversary wildlife habitat, animal species environmental threat. Recently, a of the founding of the Bras d’Or disappearance, pollution damage small religious publication suggested Stewardship Society’s (BSS) in and the debate about the reality or that the debate was overheated. August 1997. otherwise of global warming. There The argument was that whatever Current and long standing board are many environmental issues is occurring will be taken care of member Dr. James V. O’Brien has that confront us locally as well as by the powers that be i.e. God. The provided an article on the origin and globally. suggestion is that we are powerless to development of the Society while at To celebrate the tenth anniversary of do anything. We are not in control! the same highlighting some of the The Bras d’Or Stewardship Society, In this issue we are pleased to work of the Society over the past in March 2007 the board decided that include an article by Bethsheila Kent ten years. a significant event should be held to that provides insight into the life of There is no doubt that over the celebrate our ten-year journey. This contʼd on page 2 last ten years that the Society has event will be held in Iona on July 27, established itself as a credible 2007. (See News Items) non-profit membership based Though there are those who deny NOTICE ON SATURDAY, stewardship organization dedicated global warming is taking place, the JULY 28, 2007 to the conservation, protection and vast majority of scientists believe it is restoration on the Bras d’Or Lakes a reality though most of us in North THE SOCIETY WILL and its watershed. Financially, the America have not been significantly CELEBRATE ITS Society is strong and still commands impacted. We fortunately have not 10TH ANNIVERSARY a respectable public following. as yet had to suffer food shortages, AT Not a day goes by without major change our transportation habits or suffer severe water shortages. ST. COLUMBA PARISH HALL articles on the environment published IN IONA AT 2:00 PM. or voiced in the media. There are web Unfortunately others are not so lucky. For instance farmers in Australia sites devoted to the myriad of threats TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE are suffering a severe drought that LIMITED TO 225 PEOPLE AND is devastating their traditional soil ARE BEING SOLD IN LOCAL In This Issue bound livelihoods. With this in mind, COMMUNITY PHARMACIES. Page on June 23, 2007 the Globe And Mail Ten Years In The Life... 2 ran an extensive article on the severe News Items 3 drought in the southwestern parts of the United States. “Our goal University students Tackle Abuse In Nova Scotia, impacts of climate is to of Wetlands 4 change are already noticeable. A recent CBC Information protect, The Formation of the Bras d’Or morning program highlighted the conserve Stewardship Society 4 encroachment of water and the The Great Blue Heron 6 incipient destruction of ecologically and significant salt marshes along the restore the The Safety of Drinking Water... 7 Bay of Fund’s coastline. The water Land Use Issues... 8 level has been predicted to rise on Bras d’Or the Bras d’Or Lakes. Lakes” Taking A Stand For the Coast 10 Meanwhile, there are those who www.baddeck.com/bss Opening message contʼd... discharge of ballast water into the the blue heron the elegant bird from Ten Years in Lake from commercial vessels. We which the Society newsletter takes the Life of the have initiated work toward eventual its name. It is felt that our ‘avian establishment of regulation totem’ deserves recognition and Universe governing development and construction or establishment of celebration given its stately presence he year 2007 will likely go in the Bras d’Or watershed. buildings, trailers, etc. near water’s Tdown in history as the turning edge in a manner harmful to the The blue heron is just one of many point when humankind came to Lake and its environment. Mining significant bird species that finds a the realization that we could not and construction firms frequently sustainable seasonal habitat within go on desecrating our environment consult the Society’s Board of the Bras d’Or Lakes’s watershed. which is the developed practices Directors prior to beginning projects This bird is indeed a stately creature of the preceding one hundred to avoid taking action that would that frequents many locations along years. The chill or the scare of cause damage to the ecology of the Bras d’Or shoreline as it feeds the consequences of our actions the Lake and its watershed. on fish and bottom dwellers. There and conduct are appearing before once existed several local rookeries our eyes in the way we live our The Bras d’Or Stewardship Society that allowed the blue heron to raise everyday lives. The way, in which acknowledges the role played by its young in protected areas. Today, we respond to glitz advertisements, other organizations where now such rookeries seem to have moved the sharp rise in consumerism and many groups and individuals have or disappeared or at least are not the quest for instant satisfaction is come together to collaborate and well documented. manifested in the sign and scale of support actions to conserve and There is nothing more satisfying than our “throw away” society, frequently protect the Lake. Co-operation in sighting this bird in mirror flat Bras with little care as to where we awareness building, and consensus d’Or waters early in the morning as discharge or “throw away.” on courses of action and follow-up to protect the Lake and its marine it searches for food. The blue heron The Bras d’Or Lake would be no is albeit an awkward appearing life and wild life is happening. more than a dot on the sphere While the job is far from complete, creature that exudes a sense of all of the world, yet to management consuming grace as it takes flight. we wager that the Lake has more and members of the Bras friends now than ten years ago. That is why we choose the bird as d’Or Stewardship Society, it a symbol for the Society! symbolizes just how ordinary We will likely remember 2007 as the people recognizing the damage to year of the great debate over Kyoto, a great natural resource can act the expressions of concern over to make a difference. To reverse climate change and earth warming. The Bras d’Or Stewardship environment degradation requires Or we may recall the work of Al Society is interested in enlightenment, commitment, and Gore, environmental activist and action. We believe that over the author of “An Inconvenient Truth” contributions from our past ten years, the one hundred and the predictions of eventual members. If you have and fifty members of the Society, climatic calamity on the rising of something to contribute through the Board of Directors and oceans. to the Newsletter or would their financial support, have made like to work with the important gains in securing the There can be no sliding back. We society’s board, please let long-term protection and restoration are all stewards of our environment us know. The society is an of the Bras d’Or Lake. and there can be no rationing of our atmosphere but a sharing of all volunteer organization Largely through aggressive responsibility to act as custodians that welcomes input from advocacy and direction, we have of the earth’s resources and jointly individuals interested realized the construction of the new accountable when we fail i n p r o m o t i n g t h e sewage treatment plant in Baddeck, conservation, protection establishment of new federal Pat Bates, Chairman and restoration of the legislation preventing discharge The Bras d’Or Stewardship Bras d’Or Lakes and its of sewage from boats, and more Society watershed. stringent regulations governing

Page 2 www.baddeck.com/bss remediated from the environmental Mombourquette ($100.00). Both NEWS ITEMS: degradation that occurred from the are students at Richmond Academy. unauthorized infill of wetlands. Life Celebrations: Annual General Below are the names to two Meeting: Bequest Received: individuals who recently have made the journey from this mundane In February 2007 the Society On Saturday March 24, 2007 the earthly world to their final resting received a bequest of $2,000.00US annual general meeting of the place. Both individuals profiled from the estate of Mabel Grosvenor Society was held at the Bell Museum below were dedicated in their who died in November 2006. Dr. in Baddeck. Both the President’s commitment to making the world a Mabel was a keen and perspicacious report and Treasurer’s Report were better place to live by the mantra, observer of what was going on presented. A presentation was made ‘act locally, and think globally”. by Shauna Barrington regarding around her. She had a 101 year life Dan E. MacNeil: her current work with the Mabou long relationship with the Bras d’Or Development Association regarding Lakes given her family’s property On May 21, 2007 Dan MacNeil, Mabou harbor. About twenty holdings on Beinn Breagh. The age 46, lost his tenacious battle individuals attended the annual Society is both indebted and grateful with cancer. Dan was a great meeting. Shelly Porter representing to Dr. Mabel for her support and community citizen who represented the Unimaki Institute reviewed concern for the future stewardship his community as the local Victoria the progress of the Collaborative of the Bras d’Or Lakes. County Councilor. He was active in Environmental Planning Group many community organizations. He (CEPI). was supportive of the activities of Student Employment: The Bras d’Or Stewardship Society. The Society made application We are pleased to be having our th An Inconvenient for two summer students to carry 10 anniversary celebration in his out a specific project in regard to church’s parish hall in Iona on July Truth: monitoring shoreline protection 27, 2007. The title of Al Gore’s highly popular focusing on marine estuaries. Ransom Myers: book and film, “An Inconvenient We were fortunate to get two well On March 27, 2007 Ransom Myers, Truth”, regarding the hotly debated qualified students to carry out this age 54, died after a five month issue of global warming will be work for an eleven week period; battle with cancer. Ransom was the subject of the Society’s 10th Ashley Druhan a science major the Killam Professor of biology anniversary celebration to be held at Acadia University and Grant at Dalhousie University. In 2006 at the St. Columba Parish Hall in Petruskavich an engineering student he was designated by Fortune Iona on July 27, 2007. The Society at the University of Cape Breton. Magazine as one of the 100 most will have 200 tickets for $10.00 (See University Students page significant people in the world to each at local drug stores around 4……….) watch for his research on the decline the Lakes and from individual board of fish populations worldwide. He members. was prolific writer being published Student Prizes in such prestigious journals as Formerly a Nature. Do a “Ransom Myers” Bagnell Fine: Google search and you will be The Society received a cheque for Scholarship: amply rewarded. $3,000.00, which represented a fine For a number of reasons this year levied for an improper infill along the the Board offered three prizes rather shore of Baddeck Bay. This money than one scholarship to High School as d'O will be used to educate the public students for an essay on a selected Br r about laws and regulations in place topic. The winners were as follows. regarding infilling and despoliation of First prize Matthew Hastings of habitat. To date the property owner Baddeck Academy ($300.00). has not followed through on the Second prize Erica Fraser ($200.00) St y ew iet court stipulation that the property be and third prize James Emmanuel ardship Soc

www.baddeck.com/bss Page 3 recognition of this event they will be government! University having a presentation of Al Gore’s In the early nineties there were Students “An Inconvenient Truth” on July 28th four events, which had a direct in Iona. influence on the formation of the Tackle Abuse of Society. The first was the ‘Future of the Bras d’Or Lakes’ conference Wetlands held at Beinn Bhreagh in Oct 1991. The Formation One of the speakers was Pat he Bras d’Or Stewardship Bates who, as Vice President and TSociety strives to protect and of the Bras d’Or Chief Operating Officer (COO) conserve the Bras d’Or Lakes of ECBC, provided funds for that and its surrounding watershed. Stewardship conference. The second was the Wetlands are a vital part of this Society Baddeck Area Business and Tourist environment, serving as a nursery Association (BABTA) sponsored US/ for young aquatic life, a buffer zone By Dr. J.V. O’Brien UK/CN ‘Countrywide Stewardship protecting the water from erosion Exchange’ conference at the and runoff from the land. hen we look back at the Inverary Inn in Baddeck in October They also help de-toxify our water Wformation of an organization 1992. This was organized by Henry by absorbing and using harmful like the Bras d’Or Stewardship Fuller then chair of BABTA. The pollutants. To help raise awareness Society (BSS) there is a tendency to third was the creation of the first about the importance of these large see one or at most a small number private land conservation group in swamps, bogs, barrachois and of events as being critical. As with Nova Scotia, the ‘Bras d’Or Lakes fens, the Stewardship has hired similar groups this is only part of Preservation Foundation’ (BLPF) two summer students who will be the truth. in 1993 by Governor Blair. And fourth the ‘Bras d’Or Lakes Working working on a project that focuses In the case of the BSS there are Group’ under the auspices of UCCB on promoting the conservation and pointers going back thirty years or and chaired by Rod Carrow with protection of wetlands in the Bras more with a series of consultations, funds provided by ECBC (Pat was d’Or lakes and watershed. workshops, conferences, task still ECBC COO at the time.) Henry Ashley Drohan is a Biology student forces reports etc that indicated was one of the fifteen members of at Acadia University, who will be growing interest in the Lakes and the Working Group. entering her third year this coming what was happening in and around September. She is from Sydney, and them. In January 1995 this widely based group produced a report entitled has a keen interest in microbiology. The most significant of these were “Taking Care of the Bras d’Or” that Grant Petruskavich, also from two reports by UCCB’s Bras d’Or proposed wide ranging changes Sydney, is an Engineering student Institute under the leadership of for the governance of the Bras at Cape Breton University. His Don Arsenault. The first in 1975 d’Or Lakes. The then minister of future plans are to study chemical focused on Aquaculture and the the Nova Scotia Department of engineering. second in the early eighties profiled Natural Resources Minister, Wayne During the course of the summer a Management Plan for the Bras Adams, shot this fledging out of the they will be looking for structures d’Or Lakes. nest before it had flapped a wing. that cause impediments to water Following these conference followed This repudiation of all work done flow and any contaminants entering conference, study followed study, by the ‘Working Group’ strongly the lake. They will analyze this and workshop followed workshop suggested to a number of largely data, draw conclusions about the leaving in their wake little but reports disconnected people that if anything effects of the condition of the lake gathering dust on shelves. Some lasting was to be done an advocacy on the barrachois’s, and determine years later the Bras d’Or Institute group of some sort was needed how these wetlands can be was shut down for lack of funds and a central tenet of which should remediated. remained in limbo for many years. be financial independence from The Bras d’Or Stewardship Society In a government report of 1977 government both for its formation was formed in August of 1997, this comment can be found: “Much and continuance. and will be celebrating their 10th is studied; little is implemented”. anniversary this summer. In Now ain’t that the truth and from ...contʼd on page 5 Page 4 www.baddeck.com/bss The Formation of the Bras dʼOr Stewardship Baddeck, which Henry Fuller, Lloyd an official body under the Nova Society contʼd... Stone and I attended. Scotia’s Joint Stock Company Act. I was one of those ‘disconnected The main objective of this meeting This application signed by Pat people’. In March 1996 I circulated a was to educate the public about Bates, Henry Fuller, Anna Steele, letter to nine or ten people noting the ‘conservation easements’, then James Crawford, Lloyd Stone demise of the Working Group and a new concept in the Maritimes. and Jim O’Brien was approved on the repeated failure of other such However, the speaker who got August 11 1997 and the Bras d’Or ventures in the past. I suggested: most audience attention was Gilbert Stewardship Society became a legal “One way…to reverse this process is Grosvenor who said little about registered Nova Scotia society. to form a (voluntary) organization of conservation easements but spoke Those who attended the inaugural interested and concerned people...” at some length on what he saw meeting were the above plus Julia If the quantity of responders was as the deterioration in the state of Crawford, Jim Morrow, Richard poor the quality was not; those who the Bras d’Or Lakes he had noted Bergman, Chris King, Britt Roscoe, responded were Lloyd Stone and during his lifetime. Charlie & Susie Restino and the late Henry Fuller. Since many of those who attended Judy Wardwell. Interestingly the Among other things the latter had as requested, written their minutes of the meeting show that pointed out there was already names and addresses in the book the subject that was to dominate an organization in existence, the provided this list presented an BSS activities over the coming Bras d’Or Lakes Preservation opportunity for us to get in touch decade, water quality, was already Foundation (BLPF), of which I was with a number of possible future on the agenda. Even if not yet then unaware. Since this was the members for our contemplated quite up and running the Society case with a view to either joining fledgling organization. On request had at least taken its few first not or setting up some kind of joint the BLPF gave us this list and in so tentative steps. organization in association with the January 1997 we circulated a letter During the ten years since the Board BLPF, a small diverse group met to all of these individuals with an of Directors has had roughly 100 with the Foundation’s Board on enclosed questionnaire in which regular board and 20 open annual few occasions. The BLPF board one of the questions was “Would meetings; one of the latter at the then included Denne Burchell QC you come to an inaugural meeting end of the financial year as required who subsequently joined the BSS of such Association?” under the Joint Stock Company board. A good number indicated they Act and the other in mid summer It soon became clear we were not would. mainly for the convenience of non- going to be able to work together resident members. At a majority By the end of that first gathering, for a number of reasons. Not least of these biannual meetings there among other things the Society because the BLPF was not the type has been at least one speaker and had its present name and a date of community based membership a wide variety of individuals have and place for an inaugural meeting. organization we had in mind and, made presentations to the Board at This was held in Baddeck on May 23 as Denne Burchell pointed out, the regular monthly meetings. BLPF was a conservation easement 1997. By the end of that meeting the BSS had a board Pat Bates, Henry For logistical reasons board meetings organization with charitable status are usually held in Baddeck (at the and not an advocacy group. Fuller, Jim Crawford, Lloyd Stone, Simon Chiasson, Albert Marshall, AGB) but have also been held at We had to make our own way. That Dan Christmas Jim O’Brien and an Johnstown, St Peter’s, West Bay, this was easier said than done as executive, Pat Bates Chair, Henry Whycocomagh and the Coast can be seen from a letter I wrote to Fuller Treasurer and Jim O’Brien, Guard College. Despite distance Henry on Oct 22, 1996 the opening Secretary. Later Rosemary Burns and weather it has been a rare sentence of which is; “Once again I joined the Board and became Vice occasion when a Board meeting am on about the formation of some Chair. Though various people have has lacked a quorum. One member, sort of organization for the Bras served as directors over the years Tim Lambert, regularly commutes d’Or.” the last four are still directors though from Lower Sheet Harbour to attend On Oct 18 1996 the Bras d’Or Lynn Baechler has been secretary meetings. Besides these Pat Bates, Preservation Foundation held a for a number of years. Jim Crawford, Lynn Baechler and others have represented the Society public meeting at the Alexander At that first meeting the membership Graham Bell Museum (AGB) in agreed the Society should become ...contʼd on page 6 www.baddeck.com/bss Page 5 The Formation of the Bras dʼOr Stewardship time. The work was completed on is now secure and the Society can Society contʼd... time and under budget. metaphorically pack its bags and go at meetings, conferences and The Society pushed vigorously for home. This is simply not the case. symposia across the country and a new batch treatment sewage There are still an alarming number Pat, to use his own word has system (now in place) for Baddeck. of threats to the ecological future ‘crafted’ innumerable letters to The Society has funded an annual of the Bras d’Or Lakes that need politicians, agencies, groups and scholarship/prize program for High to be addressed. These include other significant individuals. Mabel School students for the past three the continuing existence of straight MacEachern has been largely years. Mainly due to the hard work pipes (pumping sewage directly into responsible for arranging our tenth of society treasurer Henry Fuller Lakes), the absence of set back anniversary celebration. the Society has produced the requirements for new shorefront Apart from attending symposia and biannual ‘Blue Heron’ for most of its homes, poor road construction conferences the Society organized existence. Also, largely due to his methods, ballast water discharge and ran a conference at the Gaelic good work, the Society has probably (still happening despite promised College in Oct of 1999. It helped the best bank balance of any small legislation from Ottawa) etc. and organize and run a Bras d’Or lakes voluntary society in Nova Scotia. perhaps most problematic of all the poor or sometimes total absence ‘conscious raising’ concert in the When the first Bras d’Or Lakes of liaison between the twenty plus Baddeck Academy auditorium in coordinator (a position created governing agencies that have 1998 at which many local musicians largely from the result of Society jurisdiction over Lakes. generously performed without pressure) Laurie Suitor was replaced charge. after being caught in the cross fire of The sad truth is there is still an Through the Green Boat Challenge an internal Nova Scotia civil service enormous amount of work for The campaign run by Pat Bates with two union dispute, the Society provided Bras d’Or Stewardship Society (and students in the summer of 2001, the $5,000.00 towards her salary so that others) to do to Protect, Conserve Society provided impetus for the she could complete her work on the and Restore the Bras d’Or Lakes; later enactment of ‘Sewage from sewage from boats project. Laurie the only inland sea in North America, Boats Legislation’. Board members is now a board member. the jewel in the crown of Cape Breton’s many natural assets. have kept regular contact with the These are but some of projects Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife agency and activities in which the Society and in particular with its previous has taken an active part however able head Charlie Dennis now Chief the most important achievement of the Eskasoni Band. of the Society has been I believe In 1998 the Society helped fund a to heighten public and government The Great Blue group of five Dalhousie students to awareness of the vulnerability of the Heron study and produce a paper ‘Survey Bras d’Or Lakes and the necessity By Bethsheila Kent of Subdivisions’. Jamie Burke a of looking after their ecological student funded by the Society spent welfare. This the Society has done a summer producing an inventory of in a number of ways including he great blue heron, the Bras new and planned dwellings in the playing a major role in the creation Td’Or Stewardship Society’s watershed. of such groups as the Sustainable avian emblem, is Cape Breton Island’s largest wading bird. A Following the massive wipe out Communities Initiative (SCI) the remarkably patient hunter and oysters in the Lakes by the MSX Collaborative Environmental strong and graceful flyer, the great parasite, government assigned a Planning Initiative (CEPI) and blue heron is quickly recognized budget of $ 250,000.00 for an oyster Pitu’paq, besides backing up other by even the most reluctant birder. spat reseeding program and chose groups involved in Lake related It is a large bird and measures the BSS as the agency through activities and encouraging all approximately 50” in length in which this was accomplished. levels of government including maturity. There is no difference The actual reseeding program First Nations to work together for between the plumage of male and was carried out by oyster farmer the benefit of the Lakes. female birds and even the juvenile Jim Crawford who, to avoid any It would be inappropriate to pretend great blue heron early resembles appearance of conflict of interest, the BSS has only gone from success resigned from the board during this to success, the future of the Lakes ...contʼd on page 7 Page 6 www.baddeck.com/bss The Great Blue Heron contʼd... a single nest. The eggs are a pale, colonies of great blue heron could bluish-green color and mature in be found at Big Farm (Big Baddeck, its parent birds, lacking only the approximately 28 days. Juvenile and within the Bras d’Or watershed), light chest feathering but graced, birds are fledged within 60 days. the head of Baddeck Bay, on Kidston instead, with heavily streaked breast The great blue heron will stand Island and at Malagawatch. Today and belly. Its long, sharply pointed patiently in shallow water or move there are no known large colonies of and rounded bi-colored bill (dark very slowly and methodically, barely this majestic wader associated with above with a yellow lower mandible) causing surface ripples as it moves the Bras d’Or Lake but individuals is well suited to probing the shallows warily in search of its prey. Its diet are seen annually and, although for small crustaceans and equally consists mainly of small fish, such their nesting sites may remain a suited to catching the small fish that as blue-green herring and the feral mystery, their continued presence are the mainstay of its diet. Its long population of rainbow trout that are on the Bras d’Or Lake is both legs are grey in color. In breeding common to the Bras d’Or Lake. In welcome and comforting in an era plumage, forehead, sides of neck fact, large fish fauna populations of rapid change and decline of avian and throat of both sexes are white; such as these species help support species and suitable habitat. crown and nape plumes black. The such breeding populations of great The Society is most appreciative great blue heron’s neck is mainly an blue heron. Great blue heron will of Bethsheila Kent’s efforts to ash-brown in color with two slender also hunt for frogs, aquatic insects provide a compelling profile of the black stripes extending along the and even small mammals. magnificent blue heron. length and highlighting the shaggy chest. Its back is a distinctive The great blue heron is not noted blue-grey from which the species as a songbird. In fact its harsh and takes its name. In flight, great blue guttural “gronk”, although distinctive, heron fold their long and graceful lacks any musical associations necks into a tight “s” and their wing whatsoever. Both sexes engage in beats are slow, methodical and very bill clacking and will sometimes call The safety of strong. with short, harsh notes if alarmed. The great blue heron is common Great blue heron colonies are drinking water in summer. Its arrival from its relatively short-lived. Typically, an – it’s all our wintering grounds often signals undisturbed colony is productive the beginning of our warm weather for 5 – 10 years. Sooner or later, responsibility…. and although local sightings have however, the surrounding vegetation By Sharon Munroe been recorded its return as early that provides protection from both as April 18, it is more often sighted weather and predators is destroyed beneath nests and around nesting lmost half of Nova Scotians rely from mid-May to late September on groundwater from dug or – early October, when it begins its sites by the birds’ waste, forcing A the birds to move, sometimes just drilled wells for their private drinking south-bound migration. Usually water supply. only individuals or pairs are often a short distance from the original One way to ensure the safety of observed until mid-August; after that colony if adequate tree cover is your water supply and that of your time it is not uncommon to come present. As great blue heron are neighbors is to employ the multi upon large family groups feeding in very sensitive to human activity, barrier approach to water quality. the shallows. colonies will quickly be deserted if such activity is in close proximity to This approach involves three lines The great blue heron is a colonial nesting sites. In such instances, it of defense: keeping clean water bird that generally nests in isolated is known that the birds may travel clean, making it safe and proving areas. Colonies consist of 15 – 40 great distances before establishing it’s safe. nests composed mostly of sticks another colony. It is thought that Keeping clean water clean means lined with finer twigs and vegetable colonies once located near to the being aware of your activity and matter. Often nests are placed in the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake and the potential impact it may have on upper branches of either evergreen that were subjected to human your drinking water supply. It may or deciduous trees, sometimes to interference, were moved far inland mean not using pesticides around a height of 70’ above ground level. by the parent birds. your well, making sure you regularly Egg clutch sizes vary greatly, with recordings of as many as seven in Historically, Bras d’Or Lake nesting ...contʼd on page 8 www.baddeck.com/bss Page 7 The Safety of Drinking Water contʼd... years. an increasing pace. The demand by the “baby boomers” for prime maintain your onsite sewage  The best time to test your recreational property is at an all disposal system and checking your well is when the possibility time high. What better place to oil tank regularly. of contamination is greatest. This will usually occur build a summer home than on the Making it safe means ensuring your after a heavy rain, a large shores of the beautiful Bras d’Or well is constructed according to snowmelt, or an extended Lakes. It is not only residential provincial standards by a licensed period of non-use. development that has to be taken well driller or digger. into consideration, as there are also • Treat your well Proving its safe means regularly several business ventures that have testing the bacterial and chemical  You can use liquid bleach established themselves along the quality of your water supply. Your to disinfect your well. The waterfront. What will be the impact health and the health of your family, process is called Chlorination on this once pristine area of Cape is dependent on clean, safe water. or “shock chlorination”. It Breton? flushes your well and water The only way you can be sure your At the present time one of the system to kill bacteria and water is safe is to have it tested. greatest threats to the lake is other micro organisms. Steps to Safe Well Water shoreline erosion and the effects  If there is an on going • Locate and construct your well of siltation. Continued shoreline problem related to faulty well properly development translates into more construction or contaminated land being cleared, less trees and  The well should be located groundwater, disinfection is more erosion. The fish stocks in the and maintained so that it only a temporary fix. Have lake are already under pressure to is accessible for cleaning, the problem investigated and survive. With further siltation the treatment, repair, testing, corrected at the source. future of many species becomes and inspection over time. For more information on protecting questionable. Based on scientific • Protect your well the quality of your drinking water, research it is now known that the  The best way to protect please read “A guide for private water level in the lake is steadily your well is to prevent well owners” published by NS rising as a result of global warming. contaminants from getting Environment and Labour. It is While the impact is yet to take hold into your well water. available on the web at www.gov. the eventual outcome on waterfront properties could be significant as  Create a grass buffer around ns.ca/enla/water/drinkingwater.asp owners take measures to preserve your wellhead. Sharon Munroe is the Bras d’Or their valued shoreline against  Slope the area around the Lakes Coordinator with NS Environment and Labour. erosion caused by higher tides and wellhead so that the surface stronger “storm surges”. Not only water runs away from your is waterfront property in danger well. but rare bird species that nest and  Keep sources of E. coli raise their young along the shore bacteria away from your lines of the Bras d’Or Lakes will be well. Animal and kitchen LAND USE ISSUES in danger of having the beaches waster can contain E. coli. they use to camouflage their nests Do not allow animals to IN THE BRAS from predators overtaken by the defecate or urinate near higher water levels. Perhaps the your well. D’OR LAKES government should create a 100 • Test your well WATERSHED foot “buffer” zone around certain areas of the lake to ensure future  Test your well regularly for By Matthew Hastings construction is only allowed outside both the presence of bacteria of this restricted area. Regulatory and chemical quality. he Bras d’Or Lake system measures such as this would help  You should test for bacteria Tcontinues to be threatened limit the negative and destructive every six months. by man’s thirst for the all mighty effects of clear cutting right down  You should test the chemical dollar. Numerous waterfront land developments are being created at quality of your well every 2 ...contʼd on page 9 Page 8 www.baddeck.com/bss Land Use Issues In the Bras dʼOr Lakes believed to be transported into the The old saying, “Don’t fool with Watershed contʼd... Lakes by large ships that discharge Mother Nature” is as true today as their ballast water. There must be it was 100 years ago. Maybe certain to the shoreline. more done to stop the barrage of sections of the watershed should Pollution is also a very major issue incoming new species that send our be designated as national wildlife relating to land development. ecosystem spinning. preservation areas that could not Water quality in the lake has long With continued land development be sold off at any price. suffered from pollution from a along the lake’s shoreline public One of the biggest problems variety of sources with perhaps access is perhaps another issue encountered in protecting the the greatest source attributed to that needs to be addressed. What habitat around the Bras d’Or Lakes improper sewage disposal. While do “private property” signs mean to is that public awareness about sewage treatment processes have us younger Cape Bretoners? Will we the impending danger is virtually improved greatly in the past decade be able to enjoy access to the lake non-existent. People living in I suggest there remains many older in years to come or will we require communities along the Lakes are homes with septic systems that do permission from the many foreign not well informed regarding the not meet today’s standards. Even owners to swim in the lake, walk the situation. Because of this they worse, there are probably some who shoreline and maybe even have a are somewhat indifferent about continue to dispose directly into the wiener roast? Is anyone interested the problems that this very unique lake. Are more regulation, monitoring in our future or will the land be all environment faces. It is only through and enforcement required? The sold off before we have any real new partnerships such as the one answer is probably “yes”, however influence over the matter? signed between Unamaki Institute of pressure on provincial government Natural Resources and Environment budgets and the public’s demand Restricted access is one thing; Canada that will lead to protection of for lower taxes seeming outweighs foreign ownership is another land the Bras d’Or Lakes ecosystem. the need to monitor and control use issue. Are we selling out to continued pollution. I am sure that foreign interest just to make a quick Can the wounds that have been the people working for the Nova buck? What does the future hold for inflicted upon the Bras d’Or Lakes Scotia Department of Environment the Cape Bretoners like my friends be healed? I think they will, if all are doing the best that they can and me when land values are parties involved work together to under the circumstances. My guess driven through the roof by wealthy restore the natural balance and is this department is no doubt under individuals from far away places. see the Bras d’Or restored to its staffed and under funded. With all The loss of natural habitat is also a previous pristine condition. of the environmental issues being concern and an issue that appears This essay was submitted for faced today this is an area that to be ignored by all but a few. It judging by the Society’s prize needs much greater emphasis. Is seems that with all land development committee. Matthew Hastings is going “Green” today’s flavor of the various wildlife species suffer to to be congratulated for his effort month or is it a rallying cry that all some degree. With increased and for being selected the 2007 politicians can no longer afford to human population, most of the winner. ignore. larger animals such as our deer and Limited regulations have allowed a moose are being pushed further variety of parasites to enter the Bras away from their traditional roaming d’Or Lakes that have devastated areas. Cape Breton has become some of the native species that a refuge to the once scarce “bald once flourished. Over the past eagle”. These beautiful birds are several years the MSX parasite now flourishing within the Bras D’Or has infected the oyster population Lake watershed but what does the around the Bras d’Or Lake and has future hold for them with continued decimated the oyster population. land development? What a shame It is believed to have entered the it is to think they might loose their Lakes in the ballast water from established nesting areas, which ocean going ships that commute are now abundant around the lake. the Lake. Another intruder into our Maybe it will not happen but why lake has been the green crab also take the chance that it could. Who will be accountable after the fact? www.baddeck.com/bss Page 9 Taking a Stand for the Coast By Jennifer Graham summer evening, two friends, a digital camera, a car, muggy in Halifax and sure to be cooler along A the coast… ah the coast. Aren’t we all drawn to the sea either to cool off or by a more primal desire to return to natal waters? It wasn’t purely a summer cruise - we set out on our shoreline tour deliberately

The poster child for inappropriate coastal development? This coastal wetland complex in East Berlin, Queens Connty is an example of the kind of ecologically sensitive, low-lying properties currently facing intensifying development pressure..

looking for examples of the innumerable infilled wetlands, habitats, stinky sewage outflows, kinds of thoughtless coastal shameless shoreline structures, pernicious private roads that were development that is springing up badly eroding bouldered once private, really pricey real all over the province. beaches, humungous waterfront estate, numerous no trespassing We didn’t have to look very homes with huge ecological signs, and a partridge in a felled far. Our little jaunt around footprints, consistent coastal pear tree….. blasting, frighteningly fragmented St. Margaret’s Bay revealed: ...contʼd on page 11 Page 10 www.baddeck.com/bss Taking A Stand For The Coast contʼd... symptom of an alarming lack of the poster child for inappropriate leadership around coastal issues. coastal development. Our summer spirits were This is reflected in the absence of A little further down the coast, dampened by what we saw. So any kind of overarching coastal a federal-provincial panel is many of these new developments policy to guide development and reviewing a the potential impacts are being built with no land use in our coastal areas. of a proposed quarry on the consideration of their cumulative A lack of provincial direction coastline and the surrounding impacts on our coastal lands and does not absolve other levels of community. The proposed White waters. Has anyone (apart from government or businesses and Point quarry is yet another the ever-vigilant St Margaret’s individuals. In Nova Scotia, all example of large scale coastal Bay Stewardship Association land use planning is a municipal development being proposed and other local environmental responsibility and less than 50% without the benefit of an overall groups and citizens) considered of them have any kind of municipal framework or plan. Will allowing the carrying capacity of their planning strategy let alone one one company to carve out chunks stretch of coast and how coastal that prevents development in of Nova Scotia coastline for export areas can cope with disruption on vulnerable coastal areas. And lest to he US set the precedent for natural ecosystem processes and you think that coastal planning is further coastal mining? Do these functions? anti-development, the strongest companies pick Nova Scotia only Rampant and unplanned coastal examples of good coastal because of our high quality rocks development is not only a grave planning and restrictive zoning or because of the notable lack of ecological risk but also have come from the United States coastal regulations? serious economic consequences. bastion of individual freedoms. In Regardlss of what the review Many coastal properties are at New England, citizens can and panel recommends, there is an risk from accelerated coastal do get much more involved in opportunity for the province to erosion, storm surges, and coastal determining what their coasts will show leadership in halting this flooding. In many parts of North look like. quarry. We need a provincial American, insurances companies A lack of coastal planning at all coastal policy framework similar are starting to recognize just how levels is compounded by weak that of other jurisdictions. We also vulnerable these properties are implementation of existing laws need better municipal land use by hiking insurance premiums for and a lack of leaders willing to planning. Mostly, right now we coastal properties or refusing to stand up for the coast. In a recent need leadership willing to step up insure them altogether. glaring example, Nova Scotia and make these things happen. The message about the Department of Environment and In doing so, we will be acting increasing risks of coastal living Labour issued a permit to build as good stewards of Canada’s does not seem to be sinking in a road through a large coastal Ocean playground and ensuring in Nova Scotia. Whenever we go wetland in Queens County to that those who can’t afford coastal anywhere, my friends are getting create road access for a housing property will be able to go to the accustomed to me exclaiming” lot. How can our provincial beach, the salt marsh, or offshore Oh my God! Did they really build wetlands policy recognize island. Who will stand up for the that close to the ocean? What are wetlands as critical ecosystems coast? they thinking? That place will be and yet have the guardians of wiped out with the next hurricane. Jennifer Graham is the Coastal that policy permit construction Coordinator at the Ecology Who let them do that? “ on low-lying regularly flooded, Action Centre. She likes coastal Who indeed? ecologically sensitive lands hikes, long walks on the beach, located a stone’s (or boulder) The coastal devastation happening and coastal planning. throw from the sea? This is indeed around Nova Scotia is only a

www.baddeck.com/bss Page 11 The Bras d’Or Stewardship Society Addresses and telephone numbers of the Board of Directors Pat Bates, Mabel MacEachern Timothy Lambert Walter MacNeil Chairman 93 Rigby Street Lower Ship Harbour 41 Grove St. 27 Wyndale Cresent Sydney, NS B1P 4T5 RR#1, Sydney, N.S. Sydney, N.S. (902) 562-6138 Lake Charlotte #752 B1P 3M7 B1S 3L4 Nova Scotia (902) 562-5434 (902) 567-0827 Henry W. Fuller, B0J 1Y0 Treasurer (902) 845-2189 Stephen Sober Rosemary Burns, RR#2 #1065 Big Harbour RR #2 Vice Chair Baddeck, N.S. David L. Gunn River Denys, N.S. 3042 West Bay Highway B0E 1B0 2792 RR#2 B0E 2Y0 St. George’s Channel (902) 295-2664 West Bay, N.S. (902) 756-2390 RR #2 West Bay, N.S. B0E 3K0 B0E 3K0 Dr. James V. O’Brien (902) 345-2263 James M. Crawford (902) 345-2896 RR#2 #1180 Big Harbour #894 Ainslie Glen Baddeck, N.S. Laurie Suitor P.O. Box 277 Lynn Baechler, B0E 1B0 268 Church Point Road Whycocomagh, N.S. Secretary (902) 295-2344 P.O. Box 2, B0E 3M0 92 Crestdale Drive River Bourgeois, N.S. (902) 756-3264 Sydney, N.S BOE 2XO B1L 1A1 (902) 535 3835 (902) 564-9303

Bras d’Or Watch to report any observed acts, incidents and violations that threaten the integrity of Bras d’Or Lakes please call: 1 800 565 1633

Our Email: [email protected] 2007 BRAS DʼOR STEWARDSHIP SOCIETY MEMBER $15.00 Yes, I am in favour of conserving and restoring the FAMILY $25.00 Bras d’Or Lake and watershed through responsible stewardship. CONTRIBUTOR $50.00 SUPPORTER $100.00 Name LIFETIME MEMBER $500.00 Address Mail check or money order along with your name and address to: Bras d’Or Stewardship Society Phone e-mail P.O. Box 158 Baddeck, Nova Scotia, B0E 1B0 Fax

Page 12 www.baddeck.com/bss Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue PREPARED FOR PRESENTATION TO BRAS D’OR LAKES WORKSHOP

By Dr. Teresa MacNeil, Ph.D. October 9, 2003

am honoured to be invited to speak to this symposium. I am also a little anxious. I worry that what I have decided Ito say will not meet the planners’ expectations. I was asked to speak about the goals for the Lake region. In itself, commercial terms, they are few. social and economic impact of the the task of pulling together such an That’s not new. In the course of my Bras d’Or Lakes. My immediate analysis is fundamental, necessary lifetime the Lake was a place where response was to decline because I and formidable. It is an imperative for very few people turned for a living, had neither the knowledge nor the the immediate future. and then only a marginal living. Now, resources to do that difficult job. As I will speak about the social and as was well presented here yesterday I saw it, one would have to cite facts economic implications of the Lake, as and again today, fish and shellfish and figures about the dollar value I see them. I rely on my background, in the lake face disappointing odds. of fish and shell fish harvests, aqua a background that is not terribly In short, as matters currently stand, culture production, shipping traffic, different from those of you who spent commercial level fishing has minimal employment rates, recreation and a major portion of your life living economic impact. It is not a magnet. tourism revenues - all attributable beside the Bras d’Or. My perspective The important question is whether it to the Bras d’Or. These figures are also comes from years of trying to can become one. available for larger jurisdictions (e.g., encourage citizens to be the prime The same can be said for wealth the Province and DFO region), but movers, rather than the objects of, generated by shipping. There was a that have to be broken-down for the social and economic development time when wood was shipped through Lake. Besides, some of you in this measures. the Lake, and for course there is room have a good sense of some of With social and economic impact in gypsum. But, do we even know what these values. On the social side, one mind, I will attend to three tasks: revenues are gained from Bras d’Or would want to cite facts and figures Lakes shipping? about the Lake’s role as a supporter (1)describe the way I see the Bras d’Or The absolute beauty of the Lake is of healthy, cohesive communities Lakes area now; (2) consider the idea undoubtedly a magnet that accounts through education, transportation, of building a Lake Community; and, for some of the revenue gained from information technology, and health (3) suggest an approach for continuing tourism and from summer-season services. Again, figures can be to build a culture of collaboration. residents. We have estimates about ferreted out for individual counties Knowledge is the thread that runs the value of the Cabot Trail and the and communities, but not for the Lake through my remarks; knowledge to Louisbourg Fortress as magnets for region as such. Yet, the symposium produce the Magnets and the Glue visitors, but do we know what it is for planners are right: these are critical that’s necessary for the kind of Lake the Bras d’Or? There are likely some data for any discussion that leads to Community I think is being envisioned figures relating to recreational boating (in the words of the concept paper) during this symposium. To give credit, and servicing of all crafts that ply the “collaborative planning to meet the the terms “magnets” and “glue” come Lake. objectives for the Bras d’Or”. from a 1999 book1 by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a Harvard business professor. Those of us who live here year-round Instead of flatly refusing the invitation, Her concern is about how to thrive are able to comment on the pleasure I offered to find someone who could locally in a global economy. She sees we derive from seeing the lake. Some find and analyze the figures for the the magnets as attracting companies of us will go so far as to say that Bras d’Or. That didn’t work either. and people, with the glue being the without it we would not stay. However, So, I’m sidestepping the explicit stuff in a community that holds the as a community we don’t estimate the assignment. I understand the need activity and the people together. economic benefit on that magnetic for a solid, comprehensive analysis feature of the Lake. of social and economic benefits attributable to the Bras d’Or. It is a How the Lakes Appear Now job that must be done if anyone is I will begin with the Lakes’ economic serious about setting and achieving magnets. Speaking in strictly Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue economic and social development contʼd on page 2 www.baddeck.com/bss Page 1 Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue magnetic unit for development the Bras d’Or lakes (reported in Appendix contʼd from page 1 very first task is to be able to describe I) was compiled from existing reports Easier to estimate is the economic what that unit now looks like, using and is essential for planning. It covers benefit the Lake provides as a site for indisputable facts and figures. a very broad gamut and, as Garth research and development. The work The Glue part is more encouraging Bangay told us, the issues are to being done through the Unama’ki - that’s our physical and social be validated through a consultation Institute of Natural Resources and infrastructure. There is no denying we process. the Bras d’Or Lakes Aquarium and live in a pleasantly safe environment This brings me to the essence of the Research Centre; the studies by where strong family and community matter. The extensive work that is being various agencies and institutions support is a hallmark. Yesterday we done is both necessary, laudatory, that track or test aspects of the Lake; heard about the very impressive and must continue. Furthermore, it these are definitely contributing to our range of activity being carried out to now needs to reach out and gradually economy, although I expect we do not enhance the Bras d’Or. Through the include more people. The general know the dollar figure. I have a hunch Sustainable Communities Initiative population living within the Bras d’Or that the Lake as a site for research (SCI) and the Pitu’paq partnership Lakes watershed does not see itself is the aspect that might become its there is evidence that our respective as a community. That understanding strongest economic magnet. levels of government are paying has yet to be built. Turning to look for magnets on the coherent attention to the Lake. This So, for whom are these “the issues”? social side, the story is repeated. symposium is itself generating glue Certainly no one in this room would We do not have a handle on the to hold pieces together as it fashions dispute them. However, they are not impact of the Bras d’Or. We are the Lake into an integrated unit. In significant as bases for action until at quite certain that our relatively clean the words of the concept paper, it’s least a large portion of the population and quiet environment attracts and about “increasing the efficiency of understands - and acknowledges holds people here. Less magnetic existing players in the Bras d’Or.” - them as genuine, problematic is our business climate - if, for no What the existing players are doing concerns, as distinct from a list of other reason, because of its small is wonderful. Yesterday we celebrated general headings. That depth of size and scattered concentration. that fact. understanding comes only after there Despite apparent difficulties, our Recently, I had the pleasant experience is opportunity to relate to facts and education and health care services of gathering representatives of these circumstances in terms of their own are of good quality. Yet, I have groups - and a few additional interests experience. Only then might they observed first hand that promising - to form a steering committee to be motivated to work with you, to young people who might either remain explore the prospect of achieving support you as their leaders, as you here or be persuaded to establish special UNESCO designation for take action on those issues. It’s a their place of work where they can a portion of the Lake (the canyon long-term job of human development enjoy the ambiance of the lake in St. Andrew’s channel). Although that will lead, in turn, economic and are discouraged by remoteness in that exercise has only begun I am social development. It’s a job we don’t relation to schools, medical services, confident about the willingness and do very well and I want to encourage recreation amenities, and -for many- ability of that volunteer committee this symposium to think very deeply by the absence of high speed internet to see what can be made of the as these issues are being validated. services. Said simply, for many opportunity. Taken together, all of Surely the goal is not just to stir up talented and courageous young these initiatives are evidence of the government action. Better to first build people the lake’s beauty does not high quality glue being produced to the capacity of many people living merit the trade-off of spending large begin holding the Lakes together around the Bras d’Or Lakes to adopt chunks of their own or their children’s as a development unit. Through a vision of a community whose centre lives going through the hassle of research and measures to deal with is the Lakes - with assistance from accessing normal day-to-day services various forms of pollution they are government. and amenities. already fostering social and economic It is easy to acknowledge some of the I am not pleased to present this benefits. very tangible physical issues such as dismal picture of the Lake as a social Encouraging and significant as these roads, electricity, sewage disposal, and economic magnet. Certainly I initiatives are, they still do not supply communication services, education don’t want it to be that way. I believe, enough glue. If the twenty-five Issues and training. We know quite a lot however, it is a serious reality that has listed in the concept paper are valid, about those, what they cost and why to be faced if we want the Lake to be they point to the need for enormous they are not improving the way we a magnet for economic and social economic and social infrastructure. development. If the Lake is to be a That summary of main issues in the Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue contʼd on page 3 Page 2 www.baddeck.com/bss Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue heard about yesterday are still not understanding the implications for contʼd from page 2 sufficient to convince a majority of themselves and for the community would like. Less easy to see is the residents of a need for change, not of their decisions to leave or to stay. need for social infrastructure to solve to mention of their responsibility to Presumably they would enable the problems. That’s the element that will get behind change. These measures whole population to see what youth enable us to find the data and weigh are raising awareness. But there is are confronting as they decide to stay to alternatives to the point of knowing a long road between awareness and or leave. Then there will be some precisely what has to be done and changed behavior. knowledge of what, if anything must how to do it. This is the glue that A Lake Community would have change. My point here is that each brings people together systematically residents who know what the Lake issue requires probing, preferably around common concerns with ample really looks like. They will know, for probing with the help of those who information and opportunity to take example, the results of the survey of are key to the issue. That kind of part in difficult decisions. It is a domestic sewage disposal systems. approach to each issue will help to learning process for everyone. Right They will know in graphic terms about build a Lake community. now that glue (i.e., the ability to solve the negative effect on the Lake of Less than a week ago I spent a long, problems) is in short supply. More of it badly managed landscapes, be that hard day - nearly eleven hours - at will come as various groups proceed from woods operations, site clearance, the Social Science and Humanities to establish a Lake community; as they gravel pits ... They will know how Research Council in Ottawa. It’s one learn to engage effectively in issues polluted the lake is where they live, of the granting councils for Canada’s about which they care deeply. and why. They will come to appreciate universities. I was one of nine that individual householders have adjudicators recruited as volunteers Building A Community to take responsibility for remedial from across the country who had measures with, where necessary, just slogged through thousands of This symposium is a major step in the financial assistance to do so. They will pages of tightly crafted words. We direction of building a lake community. know the sources of contamination had read 38 research proposals to be This assembly of leaders already has of the Bras d’Or and what has to be carried out by partnerships between a lot of influence over what might done to stop them. They will know universities and communities. About become of the Lake. I am very hopeful which ones are the more promising half of them will be funded to the tune about you. You know already that it directions to go if the Bras d’Or Lake of a million dollars each. I mention this takes enormous trust to work together is to contribute much more than it because the experience told me in on common objectives. It is hard to does now to the social and economic no uncertain terms that the “science” be sure who is in it for the long haul. well-being of the community. of social and economic development After all, we have many examples of is at a very primitive level here and coalitions breaking down as soon as When a population is broadly informed in western society generally. You a brighter option appears. I think, for about the Lake it will assist you, see evidence everywhere, not least example, of how some entities within the leaders, to move forward. A in Iraq where it was known how to Strait Highlands RDA dropped-out population won’t do that without destroy a régime, but not known how over time to pursue the interests of very specific information, sometimes to foster development of a far better their particular entity. - information they have helped to gather, information that is openly and replacement. As you determine the next steps for deliberately shared by you, in a timely developing collaborative management way and without candy coating. A in the Bras d’Or Lakes you will likely Building a Culture of Lake community that has the glue you select a few issues that will get people Collaboration provide through honest disclosure thinking about the Lake as a unit for You look forward to building a culture will enable you to get things done far economic and social analysis. Pitu’paq of collaboration. This symposium more quickly than now. caught our attention last winter with its is helping you to figure out how to project relating to dumping of sewage This brings me back to the list of do that. If you wanted to build, for from boats. Although a relatively issues. Taking the one on youth for example, a super computer, there small issue, it’s very controversial. example, I absolutely agree that the would be no shortage of tested models The Stewardship Society relentlessly need to stop youth out-migration is and competent advisers. The same is pushes at the issue of water quality, an issue. What are the facts about not true for building a culture raising awareness of the sources that issue? It’s a major concern in of contamination. The Preservation all of rural Canada. If a rigorously Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue Foundation established an exhibition selected youth group were given a contʼd on page 4 on the Ecology of the Bras d’Or. These well designed task of examining that and the other important measures we issue, they themselves will end up www.baddeck.com/bss Page 3 Knowledge: the Magnet and the Glue suggest a few questions whose for important aquatic research; contʼd from page 3 answers have to power to attract that is a potential bright spot for of collaboration. The knowledge of the attention and support of a future development - a potential how to do that is not well tested. There host of interests, including funding magnet. But I also urge you is no reliable prototype that you can agencies. to think as well about the Bras adapt to fit this situation. It is a unique Why do you want to build a culture d’Or as a laboratory for testing situation to which some general of collaboration? In terms of the Bras approaches to economic and principles can be applied. That in d’Or Lakes, why is collaborative social development by engaging itself is a critical point: agreeing on management necessary? those for whom the issues are general principles. For example, significant to discover ways to

you might choose to get up to date transform their social, cultural, information about the social and What is it about the Lake that has to and political circumstances. That economic impact of the Lakes by be changed/maintained and where is is potential glue. the evidence? securing funding, hiring a firm to do Finally, I have taken a rather long view the job and accepting their report. Or, You know at least some of the of the social and economic impact of you might use the need for data as answers. The challenge is to catch the Bras d’Or Lakes, emphasizing an opportunity for interest groups to the attention and the need to treat the Lake as a unit learn about some of the challenges Support of residents to help them for analysis with respect to its natural of creating a Lake community. Some learn and to help you achieve your resources and those who live within funds will still be required for them development goals. the Lake’s watershed area. I have to gather the data with a little help stressed that building a culture of How do you bring conflicting views into from experienced researchers. That collaboration to achieve a Bras d’Or some kind of productive conclusion? way you will end up with groups Lakes community requires digging That’s the toughest one of all, so of local experts. For example, the much more deeply into the minds and that you don’t end up with factions of Tourist association, or the union of hearts of the general population. It is winners and losers. construction workers, or ... will come not a sell job; it’s a learning job. to know how the Bras d’Or Lakes I will conclude by revisiting a few In the end it is all about knowledge; impacts their industry. You might points I have already made: knowledge to create effective magnets choose to employ the principle of (1) Surprisingly little is known about for wealth production, and knowledge having people learn about the Lake the social and economic impact to create all the glue that’s necessary by being part of the research process. (actual and potential) of the to bond together the people who will As in the youth example, consider Lakes. That will be remedied as become convinced that the Bras the potential effect of having a range work begins on the list of issues d’Or Lakes is the precious centre of of interest groups involved in the that have already been identified; their community. This symposium is question of what value the Lake has working in a way that creates a a giant step in that direction. I hope for them. lake-centered community where you leave here ready to take the next Why not be at the front of the pack a large portion of the population giant step. and acknowledge that the very knows what it takes to build the process of developing and executing community it wants. 1 Roseabeth Moss Kanter, World a collaborative plan for the Bras (2) In the world of hard science Class: Thriving Locally in the Global d’Or is an undertaking that itself questions are quite easily Economy 13 can be developmental? I say “the generated and suitable sources front” because I believe that Canada to investigate them are relatively is rapidly recognizing the need to easy to find. In the world of produce knowledge about building social science, questions are The society has reprinted Dr. a better society. Thus, a design to considerably more difficult to achieve a Bras d’Or Lake community Teresa MacNeil’s fine article, as isolate but, once specified, may we consider it still to be an excellent within a culture of collaboration be investigated very fruitfully with is itself a research area; one that summary of a well thought out the help of those who care about synopsis of the current sentiment can be carefully spelled-out and, the question. subsequently qualify for funding about the Bras d’ Or lakes and its (3) I do not mean to downgrade through agencies which are now very watershed. the urgency of the hard science concerned about learning how to build questions. Indeed, I look forward modern, democratic, civil society. to the prospect of having the As you approach the job I want to Bras d’Or serve as a laboratory

Page 4 www.baddeck.com/bss