European Fire Ant's
Please refer to HRM’s bulletin for information on the Eurpean Fire Ant.
http://www.halifax.ca/pesticides/EuropeanFireAnt.html
If you think you have an infestation of European Fire Ants on your property please send a sample to the Museum of Natural History for identification and tracking;
Curator of Zoology, Andrew Hebda ,424-6455
If you are in an area affected by European Fire Ants DO NOT share soil, plants or any other materials (wood, mulch etc.). with your neighbors or anyone else. Sharing of these types of materials is shown to the spread of the European Fire Ant.
Green Yards
GreenYards was created by Clean Nova Scotia (CNS) in 2007 to provide sustainable landscaping education to homeowners. It started as a pilot project but has seen such success, we were able to offer it during the summer of 2010 through funding from Nova Scotia Environment. Thus far, we have provided a total of 386 free GreenYards assessments throughout HRM and Nova Scotia. A GreenYards assessment evaluates the homeowner’s current landscape maintenance practices and site conditions. While on the property and in the final report provided to the homeowner, a CNS staff member identifies areas of concern and recommends practices to reduce maintenance, improve soil fertility, and encourage biodiversity.
The GreenYards program consists of:
GreenYards
|
-
A pre-survey to determine the homeowner’s current landscape maintenance practices and a post-survey to identify the homeowner’s satisfaction with the report and commitment to implement recommendations provided in the report.
-
An inspection by CNS staff involving a survey of the property and onsite demonstrations of sustainable practices. Areas of concern are noted and a site diagram is created that identifies structures, landscape features, drainage patterns and the overall condition of the turf, thatch, and soil.
-
A personalized final report that identifies the homeowner’s current landscape maintenance practices; areas of concern due to sun, shade, slopes, drainage, or land use; sustainable practices that the homeowner can easily implement to improve soil fertility and overall health of their turf; and more extensive changes that will reduce overall maintenance and encourage biodiversity.
The feedback based on completed post surveys from homeowners who participated in the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 GreenYards program has been very positive. In general, homeowners appreciate the personal nature and attention to detail that Clean Nova Scotia staff has provided them and their property from site visit to final report.
“GreenYards was lovely, I am planning on implementing the recommendations. The report was well done and really practical, especially having recommendations specific to my property emphasized. I was impressed with the level of detail, especially in the site map.” -Susan R.
“The GreenYards assessment was very personalized and I was really impressed that the report was so tailored to my property.” -Donalta M.
