We can predict that in June 2018, our volunteers will pick up another 400-500 bags of mostly plastic garbage from the beaches of our beautiful island park. These cleanups are expensive - we pay for the boats to transport the volunteers and haul off the garbage. It costs us about $2,500 each cleanup - that's $5.00 per garbage bag!! We don't get any money from the government or anyone else to pay for these expensive cleanups. Each year we have to write donation letters to businesses begging for support to help cover the costs of the cleanup. If you can help, please get in touch with us! Here is another excellent synopsis of the state of our oceans that details how serious the problem that we tackle here in Nova Scotia really is. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42264788#

Our December Rucksack Newsletter is now online! Catch up on our activities this year and read Part 1 of the delightful Adventures on McNabs Island by longtime Friends of McNabs Island member Doris Schrader! http://mcnabsisland.ca/sites/default/files/Rucksack_FINAL_Dec%202017_Print_0.pdf

Plastic garbage continues to be the number one thing we pick at our beach cleanups every year. Over the past 27 years, our volunteers have filled up about 13,000 garbage bags with this never ending debris that washes up on beautiful McNabs Island

Closed for the night! McNabs Island connection to the Mont Blanc and the Imo During World War I, part of the Halifax Harbour defences included two anti-submarine nets. The inner net ran between the shoreline in Halifax to Georges Island, and then from Georges Island to the Dartmouth shore in Woodside. The outer anti-submarine net was located between Ives Point on McNabs Island and near Black Rock Beach where the container pier is now located. Fort McNab was the Port of Halifax's ‘examination fort.' All shipping entering the harbour needed to report to Fort McNab in order to clear examination before going through the gates at Ives Point and into the port. The Mont Blanc loaded with explosives, arrived at the Fort McNab examination area just south of Maugers Beach late in the afternoon Dec.5. Pilot Francis Mackay boarded the Mont Blanc at about 4:30 pm, prior to the examination officer's arrival. By the time the Mont Blanc cleared inspection, the anti-submarine net was closed for the night, so the ship spent the night outside the gates, in McNabs Cove, with Pilot MacKay on board. The navy opened the anti-submarine net at 7:30 am Dec.6. The Mont Blanc was the second ship through the gate that morning, right after the SS Clara, an American cargo ship. Meanwhile since refuelling the Imo took longer than expected, the ship had to anchor in Bedford Basin for the night on Dec 5 because the anti-submarine nets were already closed. At 7:30 am, the Imo was cleared to leave with Pilot William Hayes on board. There were many factors that led to the Imo and Mont Blanc colliding in the narrows of Halifax Harbour on the morning of December 6, 1917. It is a cruel irony that the gates designed to protect the Port of Halifax, caused further scheduling delays of two ships that eventually would collide on that fateful morning 100 years ago. The above account is based on information in ‘6-12-17’ by John Boileau.

Smoke cloud from the Halifax Explosion, probably taken off McNabs Island Nova Scotia Archives Original photograph "developed by Captain Baird." Date: 6 December 1917 Reference no.: Halifax Relief Commission Nova Scotia Archives accession no. 1976-166 no. 106 / negative: N-2373

For those interested in honouring the memory of those lost in the #HalifaxExplosion and want to attend the Dartmouth event at the tiny Mont Blanc Cannon Park at 11:00, December 6th, details are below.

Two years before the tragic Halifax Explosion, the O'Brien family on Lucknow Street had a close call when an artillery shell from Fort Ives blew a hole in the roof of their house. This incident was blamed on poor communication between the navy's examination vessel below Fort McNab and the militia responsible for the inner harbour examination post near Fort Ives. http://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1091&context=cmh

Sadly, much of McNabs Island's archaeological resources have been pilfered by bottle collectors and metal detecting enthusiasts. If visitors spot anyone with a metal detector digging holes on McNabs call Nova Scotia Provincial Parks enforcement 1-800-565-2224 http://signalhfx.ca/the-legally-murky-hobby-of-metal-detecting-in-nova-scotia/

Although Hurricane Juan wiped-out 40% of the trees on McNabs Island, there are some stately hemlocks still standing. Let's hope these giants haven't been infested with this deadly pest.

Capturing Nova Scotia's lighthouses one at a time...Maugers Beach on McNabs Island is at around the 2 minute mark.

Thanks to Metro Halifax for profiling Catherine McCarthy and the work of the Friends of McNabs Island. Want to help us? Consider joining our team of volunteers to preserve and protect this historic island park! Volunteer Canada Nova Scotia Trails Federation Hike Nova Scotia Discover Halifax Nova Scotia Provincial Parks Waterfront Development