News
Recreation's Response: Building Climate Resilience Together
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Extreme weather, changing seasons, closed spaces - climate change is already reshaping how, where, and if we recreate.
After exploring this topic at the 2024 RNS Conference, Recreation Nova Scotia is committed to continuing the conversation around climate change and its impact on recreation. We aim to create spaces for individuals and organizations throughout the province to come together, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions for adapting recreation to the evolving environmental landscape.
As a result of these collaborative discussions, we intend to build a Framework for Community Networking, Capacity Building, and Information Sharing related to Climate Change Impact, Adaptation and Resilience.
Let’s discuss what we’re seeing, share what’s working, and build a resilient future together. By filling out a brief survey, you will help shape future discussions and guide the direction of this project.
The link to the survey can be found here.
EDIA Highlights: North Nova Highlanders Equipment Loan Program
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"The more barriers we can eliminate for underrepresented communities, the more joy we can spread."
Glenna Ingraham is the head coach of the North Nova Highlanders, a female baseball program for girls ages 5-18 in the Highland Region. The North Nova Highlanders provide opportunities to play baseball recreationally and competitively within the Bluenose League of Baseball Nova Scotia. Glenna has been coaching baseball for over 20 years but says her life changed when she started coaching the girls' program six years ago. During that time, she was named Baseball Nova Scotia's Coach of the Year, received the Determination Award and was selected for the Sport Make a Difference Award last year for her work growing female baseball across Nova Scotia.
One way in which Glenna has helped to grow female baseball in the Highland Region has been through her very successful equipment loan program. The organization received an equity, diversity and inclusion grant from Sport Nova Scotia to build an equipment loan program which included bats, helmets, gloves and cleats. The equipment is available to program participants free of charge. Users sign out what they need and keep it for as long as they need.
Glenna created the program because of the high cost of baseball equipment. The goal was to make the North Nova Highlanders program more accessible to families. "Many families struggle to pay registration fees and purchase new equipment, and sometimes girls are unsure if they will like a sport. Removing one barrier allows girls to try the sport. If they don't enjoy it, the parents haven't paid for equipment that will sit in a closet unused."
Glenna says the program is popular, "Every year, most of the equipment gets loaned out and has always been returned. I have seen our numbers grow significantly and have had positive feedback from parents saying what a help it was." The amount and variety of equipment in the program continue to grow yearly, with families donating personal equipment when they no longer need or use it.
Many parents have shared that they would not have been able to participate in activities through the North Nova Highlanders without the equipment loan program. One parent noted that the program was helpful in the beginning stages of trying the sport, "Being able to borrow equipment until we see whether she likes baseball is great."
Glenna advises organizations considering starting a similar program: "Start small if you have to, but the more barriers we can eliminate for underrepresented communities, the more joy we can spread."
RNS on the 2025 Federal Elections
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Leading up the to the 2025 Federal Election, RNS has written to candidates across Nova Scotia, emphasising the importance of recreation and parks.
Along with out partners at Canadian Parks & Recreation Association (CPRA) at the federal level, we aim to be a voice for the recreation sector and provide leadership to support our members in the recreation sector.
Elections invite us to imagine the kind of country we want to build together—and the legacy we hope to leave to the next generation. Amidst our evolving social and economic landscape, the recreation and parks sector is a powerful yet often overlooked contributor to that vision. Too often seen as a discretionary expense, recreation and parks are, in fact, vital to creating the country in which we want to live, work, and play—driving economic development, improving wellbeing, reducing crime, and strengthening communities. The sector is vital to building healthy, vibrant, and resilient communities, from green spaces, trails, and recreation facilities to the professionals and programs that bring them to life. It promotes mental and physical wellbeing, contributes significantly to our economy by providing high-quality jobs and supporting local businesses. It increasingly plays a vital role in strengthening community resilience during emergencies such as wildfires, hurricanes, or extreme rain and flooding.
Canada cannot afford to overlook this vital sector any longer, and here is how we suggest fixing it.
- Federal plan for recreation and parks infrastructure
- Recreation as a smart economic choice
- A commitment to stronger, healthier communities (such as youth employment programs to develop leaders of the future).
Recreation and parks touch the lives of everyone in Nova Scotia—whether through a walk on a local trail, a visit to a neighbourhood park, or time spent in a community pool, arena, or recreation centre.
We urged candidates to commit to policies and programs that recognize recreation and parks as vital services and infrastructure, integral to the wellbeing and resilience of our communities.
Here's what we heard...
(last updated: Monday 28th April)
NDP: Ingrid Deon (Acadie Annapolis)
The NDP recognizes that access to quality recreation spaces contributions to both physical and mental wellbeing. NDP strongly believes in investing in services that improve quality of life and support community wellbeing. Interested in learning more about how federal support for recreation and parks could complement our commitments to strengthen public healthcare, improve working conditions for healthcare professionals and ensure better care for our elders.
Liberal: Jaime Battiste (Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish)
Jaime and the Liberal Party of Canada have made announcements for parks for review:
Protecting Canada's Nature, Biodiversity and Water here
New Canada Strong Pass here.
Thanks to the below candidates for their response and willingness to discuss further:
Shannon Miedema (Liberal - Halifax)
Allan MacMaster (Conservative - Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish)
Sean Fraser (Liberal - Central Nova)
Joel Hirtle (Conservative - Kings-Hants)
We look forward to working with all levels of government to help realize the potential of recreation and parks for communities across Nova Scotia.
Contribute to the Renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada
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The Framework for Recreation in Canada is being renewed, and we need your expertise! As a parks and recreation professional, your perspective is invaluable in shaping the future of recreation across the country. The renewed Framework will guide the sector in addressing key issues such as climate resilience, inclusivity, workforce development, and more.
This is your chance to ensure the Framework reflects the needs and challenges you face in your community. Participate in one of the upcoming virtual or in-person consultations, or share your thoughts via a survey. Together, we can create a framework that will strengthen the recreation and parks sector for generations to come.
To help shape the renewed Framework, there are two survey options:
- A short version (10 min) for quick input: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPY7TJ7
- A long version (30 min) for deeper engagement: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RFGRQK
As a token of appreciation, all survey participants who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win one of two $100 Canadian Tire gift cards. The survey is open until May 19, 2025.
Learn more about the Framework here: https://www.cpra.ca/framework
EDIA Highlight: LEARNINGO - Community, Recreation & Education Society
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"One of the best things about LEARNINGO is how much the staff love my son." - Parent of a LEARNINGO program participant.
This month, we are celebrating the efforts of Recreation Nova Scotia member LEARNINGO, a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for people with autism and diverse needs. LEARNINGO helps individuals build education, recreation, and independent living skills to ensure community inclusion. The organization has three types of programming: collaborative schooling, peer-to-peer learning, and professional training opportunities. Our story will focus on LEARNINGO's PLT program – Peers Learning Together.
LEARNINGO's PLT program addresses a lack of structured support, trained staff and individual accommodations. These issues create barriers for people with autism and diverse support needs to access recreational programs. LEARNINGO created this program in 2016 to bridge this gap and offer a safe, engaging and supportive space for participants to build skills in a way that meets their needs. The Peers Learning Together program combines learning opportunities with recreational programming for participants to develop lifelong skills while enjoying community and belonging.
The PLT program leaves a lasting impact on participants in various ways. Through hands-on recreation, participants can gain skills like improved social confidence, emotional regulation, motor coordination and independence. Attendees can make friends and new community connections. The program also helps reduce barriers to recreation by having trained and experienced staff, accommodations that are individual to each person, and activities that ensure all participants can fully engage.
The program has a significant impact on the families of participants. LEARNINGO's Executive Director Emily Robar says that families gain reliable support: "[PLT] gives parents and caregivers peace of mind in knowing their child is in a nurturing environment designed for success." Emily shared some positive feedback LEARNINGO has received from families: "One of the best things about LEARNINGO is how much the staff love my son. They are some of the only people other than immediate family members who see his many skills, sense of humour, and wonderful personality traits that aren't immediately obvious to most. When he is at the program, I am at complete ease knowing he is not just safe, but adored."
Emily says that although the PLT program has seen lots of success and positive feedback, it isn't without its challenges. Access and affordability for families is an ongoing challenge, as well as hiring and retaining skilled staff who understand behavior support, sensory needs, and individualized accommodations. Facility use is also a challenge for the program, as specialized space is needed, which requires staff to set up and tear down equipment each time. There is also a high demand for the PLT program, which has created a waitlist for participation. Emily says they haven't let these challenges hold back the program: "Expanding PLT requires additional funding, staffing, and space. Despite these challenges, PLT remains a vital and in-demand program, continually evolving to meet the community's needs."
One method of addressing these challenges has been accessing partnerships and funding. LEARNINGO has created a facility partnership with HRM Recreation, which provides space for programs at the Sackville Sports Stadium and Captain William Spry Community Centre. The program receives funding from two national programs. "We receive annual funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart, which helps ensure accessibility and purchase new and exciting equipment that enhances our program offerings. Additionally, ParticipACTION Community Challenges provide funding, allowing us to organize special field trips," says Emily.
In addition to providing valuable programming to people with diverse needs, LEARNINGO is also committed to learning more. Emily says organizers are interested in ways to refine and improve PLT: "We've had a placement student research the parents' perceptions of the program, which has provided valuable insights into its impact and areas for growth. We invite others to explore this research to better understand how PLT is making a difference in the lives of families."
To learn more about the impact of the Peers Learning Together program and other LEARNINGO offerings, visit learning.org/caregiver-perspectives/
CPRA Green Jobs 2025 Now Open
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CPRA is thrilled to announce that grant applications for the Green Jobs Initiative, a program that empowers youth by creating meaningful job placements, is now open!
The program will provide direct financial support (via 50% wage subsidies) to local governments (municipalities, Indigenous communities, etc.) and other sector organizations to support nearly 140 jobs focusing on green career-related activities.
By empowering youth with job opportunities and fostering environmental stewardship, we contribute to their personal growth, advance community priorities, and create a sustainable future for our communities and our planet.
All 2025 applications are due Friday, April 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
To learn more about the program, please visit http://greenjobsinitiative.ca or contact your regional project manager.
Or fill out your application if you are ready to apply.
Organizations will be notified of their application status on Friday, May 2, 2025.
This program is funded by the Government of Canada.