Official Site of Diana Whalen, MLA

Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area

Tel: 443-8318

On October 30, 2007 the Province announced that 3,350 acres of the Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes (BMBCL) area will be protected! This area is a comprised of rugged forests, pristine lakes and unspoiled nature. It is enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, canoeists and others and is on the doorstep of Clayton Park. This news will protect an area nearly 20 times the size of Point Pleasant Park and it gives HRM the largest urban wilderness park in the country! Strong community support made this announcement a reality. It would not have been possible without public awareness and concern for the environment.

People wrote letters, came on hikes, signed the petition and spread the word that these lands should be saved for future generations.

Thank you for making it happen!

Our Campaign to Raise Community Awareness -

bmbclannouncement

"Generations to come will look back on this moment in a positive way and will be thankful for the decision to protect this special place. One of the stalwart champions for this area was Diana Whalen whose unwavering support helped make this happen."
Raymond Plourde,
Ecology Action Centre

At the announcement with Diana Whalen are community champions Chris Miller (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society), Bob McDonald (Halifax Field Naturalists), Wendy McDonald (Halifax Northwest Trails Association) and Raymond Plourde (Ecology Action Centre).

How We Did It

2003 - 2007

Visits to Schools
Presentations to community groups
Public hikes
Media attention and Articles

2004 & 2005 - letters to Ministers of Natural
Resources & Environment and Mayor Kelly

May 04 & July 06 - questions in Legislature

October 2004 - Introduced Bill #133

Dec. 2004 - Feb. 2005 - Presentations to Chebucto and Western Community Councils, and Bedford Watershed Advisory Board to seek HRM support for BMBCL

Spring 2005 - Ecology Action Centre brochure sent to 12,000 homes in Clayton Park riding

June 2005 - MLA Town Hall meeting at Keshen
Goodman Library

October 20, 2005 - Late Debate in the Legislature on BMBCL

March 2006 - Consultants report identified the boundaries of the proposed wilderness park

June 2006 - HRM Regional Plan names BMBCL a Regional Park

Budget Speech 2007 references BMBCL

October 30, 2007 - Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area is announced by Provincial government!