Save Our Old Forests

November SOOF Soup Sunday
2025-11-09 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Hope you can join us for our last SOOF Soup Sunday of 2025! Doors open and a free lunch of soup and bread will be available starting at 12pm. This month’s guest speaker is Maurya Braun who will be hosting a talk about effective climate action at the local level starting around 1pm. There will be lots of time for questions and discussion to follow.

Did you miss out on pottery shopping at our October Soup Sunday? Don’t worry! Ray Mackie will be back on November 9 with more of his “Seconds” – perfectly imperfect mugs, bowls, plates and platters. It’s a great way to treat yourself or the pottery lovers in your life to some fabulous Christmas presents. All items are Pay What You Can with proceeds being donated to Save Our Old Forests – thank you Ray!

Free lunch (donations to the Hall appreciated). All Welcome.

ReWild: The Art & Science (Art Exhibit)
2025-11-01 00:00 - 2025-11-22 23:59 | ArtsPlace, 396 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 0A8, Canada
As a lifelong naturalist, Bev Wigney (SOOF Supporter & Friend) has been photographing, drawing, painting and writing about her observations of the natural world. In recent years, her study has incorporated the use of trail cameras to observe wildlife without interrupting their activities. Many secrets have been revealed, especially through the use of video recordings.
About the Exhibit:
During the fifteen years of this rewilding project, I have been documenting the progress through photography, drawing, painting and data collection. I have photographed and painted the birds that frequent the property and the moths that come to my moth lamps on summer nights. In 2024, I began using trail cameras to photograph wildlife. I soon discovered just how successful the rewilding had been as fox, bobcat, deer, bear, coyote, raccoons, skunks, flying squirrels, and many birds made appearances on a frequent basis.
Now it is time to share the natural history that is happening here — through photographs, watercolour illustrations, and an edited video production. It is my hope that this exhibit might inspire others to consider rewilding the properties they steward, once they see what is possible.”

Fairy Creek - Film Screening at King's Theatre
2025-10-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Kings Theatre, 209 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada
Join Save Our Old Forests Association at the Kings Theatre for a screening of the documentary of Fairy Creek, followed by a panel discussion with Director Jen Muranetz, Producer Neal Livingston and SOOF President Nina Newington.
About the Doc: In a last-ditch attempt to stop old growth logging, some impassioned forest defenders put up more than 12 blockades across the pristine Fairy Creek valley in Vancouver Island. History repeats in a deja-vu of the iconic Clayoquot Sound blockades in the 90s, this time with higher stakes amidst a climate emergency. A deep dive into the complex encounters of the settler activists, local First Nation members, loggers, and RCMP officers, this character-driven feature documentary chronicles the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history. More information: https://fairycreekfilm.com/
Buy Tickets: https://www.kingstheatre.ca/new-events/fairy-creek/

October SOOF Soup Sunday
2025-10-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
The summer of 2025 has been hard. It’s clear that in order to save our old forests we need to bring emissions down. Rather than focus on the doom and gloom we want to look at what is possible. Look at the progress that is being made already, and ways to step up the pace here in Annapolis County — in addressing the climate and biodiversity loss crises. What better way to bring people together to talk about possibilities than a shared meal?
Join SOOF on Sunday, October 19 for a free lunch of soup, bread, sweets and tea and coffee! Doors open and lunch is served starting at 12pm. Starting around 1pm Guest Speaker Christ Fertnig will discuss solar power – how and why it works in Nova Scotia – and there will be lots of time for conversation and questions following the talk.
Free lunch (donations to the Hall appreciated). All Welcome.

About Chris Fertnig:
Chris’ journey in the energy sector includes launching Axis Energy (Toronto), Weber Power Systems (Waterloo) and working at Niagara Mohawk Energy (Syracuse), where he gained foundational experience in the complexities of small scale energy generation, distribution and utility operations. Today, Chris channels his extensive experience into his work as a solar energy consultant with HFX Solar. He guides homeowners and businesses through the complexities of solar adoption, from initial feasibility studies to system integration and ongoing performance monitoring. Chris’ current role underscores his dedication to accelerating the transition to clean energy and empowering clients to harness the environmental benefits of solar power.

Chris was drawn to the outdoors as a child and his love of angling informs his conservation mindset and commitment to protecting clean, cold-water ecosystems and the necessary transition to a clean technology future.

SOOF @ Seniors for Climate Antigonish DRAW THE LINE
2025-09-20 13:00 - 17:00 | Candid Brewery, 88 College St, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, B2G 1X7, Canada
Seniors for Climate (Antigonish) invites community groups, organizations, and individuals to be part of a global day of climate mobilization (Draw The Line) on Saturday, September 20.
All are welcome to gather at Coady Gardens starting at 1:00 pm for an hour of inspiring speakers — including local politicians and climate advocates, plus live entertainment. We will depart at 2:30 pm for a march to Town Hall.
As part of the day’s activities, Seniors for Climate (Antigonish) has partnered with Candid Brewery to host a vibrant social from 3:00–5:00 pm, with community organizations hosting information tables. Stop by and say hi to our SOOF volunteers, pickup a sticker (or two) and sign the Antigonish petition!

SOOF @ Seniors for Climate Halifax DRAW THE LINE
2025-09-19 13:00 - 17:00 | St. Andrew’s United Church Hall, 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Seniors for Climate – Halifax and Kairos are hosting the 2nd Climate Change Information Day – with a focus on Seniors but all are welcome!
This year’s “Draw the Line” event is being held on September 19 and will feature talks by:

Mary Lou Harley – Climate Solutions Don’t be Misled
Kate Peppler – GHG and Food Waste
Badia Nehme – East West Grid Vs Pipelines
El Jones – Palestine, War and Climate

Stop by the SOOF table to pickup a sticker and sign the Halifax petition!

SOOF @ Medway Forest Market
2025-08-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Annapolis Royal Farmer’s Market, St George St, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada
SOOF will be hosting a table at Medway’s 9th annual Forest Market in Annapolis Royal this August! Come support local businesses, organizations and artisans!
The Forest Market aims to showcase local talent, traditions, artists, producers, foragers, and nature organizations around a diversity of values stemming from the woods. There will also be food trucks serving delicious food throughout the day.

SOOFSTOCK 2025
2025-08-23 10:00 - 2025-08-24 00:30 | Bridgetown Legion, 20 Jefferey Street, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Join SOOF at our 3rd annual music festival SOOFSTOCK 2025 for a family friendly day of live music, local market, kids crafts and activities, and a forest talk featuring Donna Crossland (Forest Biologist), and Nina Newington (SOOF President and Citizen Scientist). Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served up by Chef Chantelle Webb inside the Hall – eat-in or take-out. The festival features bands and musicians from the Annapolis Valley covering a wide variety of music genres – everything from Rock, Folk, Country, Celtic, East Coast Folk, Blues, and Sea Shanties!
Thank you to the festival sponsors: Municipality of the County of Annapolis, Valley Credit Union, and Rotary Club of Middleton.
Check out the ValleyEvents page for your chance to win a pair of tickets!!
Given the wildfire situation in the community of West Dalhousie the festival has been moved to the Bridgetown Legion (20 Jeffrey Street). Our thoughts are with the community and our friends at the West Dalhousie Community Hall. We hope that the fires are put out soon, that some rain comes, and everyone is able to go back home safely. 50% of the proceeds from SOOFSTOCK 2025 will be donated to the West Dalhousie Community Hall to support their efforts to become a Comfort Center.

Old Time Music & Country Dance
2025-08-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Round Hill Community Hall, 1689 Hwy 201, Round Hill, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada
We thought it might be fun for a pre-festival “OLD TIME MUSIC & COUNTRY DANCE” the night before SOOFSTOCK 2025!

So grab your dancing shoes on Friday August 22 and two-step your way to the Round Hill Community Hall for a dance in support of Save Our Old Forests (SOOF)! Live music by The North Mountain Islanders, instructions in two steps, waltzes and special guest Zak Miller will call a few contras.
Cold drinks (pop and fizzy water), coffee & tea – freeBring your own snacks!

The event has been moved to the Round Hill Community Hall given the current wildfire situation in the community of West Dalhousie. 50% of the proceeds from the dance will be donated to our friends at the West Dalhousie Community Hall to support their efforts to become a Comfort Center.

SOOF @ Tupperville School Museum Ice Cream Social
2025-07-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Tupperville School Museum, 2663 Highway 201, Tupperville, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
I scream! You scream! We all scream for ice cream!
SOOF will be back at the Tupperville School Museum’s annual Ice Cream Social on Saturday, July 26! Come enjoy some home made ice cream, old fashioned games, live music and a BBQ at the Tupperville School Museum!

SOOF @ West Dalhousie Show & Shine
2025-07-26 11:00 - 15:00 | West Dalhousie Community Hall, 4868 West Dalhousie Road, West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0
Come on out to the West Dalhousie Community Hall for the 2025 Show & Shine! It’s going to be a fun day with lots going on… cars, silent auction, market and bingo. Come find the SOOF table at the market and say hi to our volunteers.
Live music from 12 – 2pm with “The Possimibilities” featuring SOOF’s own Rob Bright on drums!
It’s worth the drive to West Dalhousie.

SOOF @ Heart of the Valley Summer Market
2025-07-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Macdonald Museum, 21 School Street, Middleton, Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0, Canada
SOOF is excited to join our Supporters & Friends at the Macdonald Museum to help celebrate summer as part of their “Heart of the Valley Summer Market”. Lots of fabulous vendors will be onsite, and SOOF will have a table – come find us and say hi!
Other activities include: petting zoo, crafts, and barbecue hot dogs (available for purchase from 11am – 2pm)

SOOF @ RiverFest
2025-07-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Jubilee Park, 228 Granville Street, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
SOOF is excited to be back in the Education Corner at this year’s RiverFest! This free family friendly fun-filled festival is a celebration of the environmental, historical, cultural, and recreational values of the Annapolis River and in support of the Clean Annapolis River Project. It’s a great day of fun activities on the river (dragon boat races!) and on land (skill village!) with food & drinks & live music.
Be sure to stop by the SOOF table to say hi to our volunteers, have a chat about Goldsmith Lake, and learn more about SOOF!

SOOF @ Reel Fun on the River
2025-06-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Lawrencetown Exhibition Grounds, 570 Main Street, Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, B0S 1M0, Canada
SOOF is going to be at the first-ever Reel Fun on the River event hosted by the Clean Annapolis River Project.
This free event includes live music from CC Grace, Carson Fullerton, and Common Ground. Hungry? Let’s Taco Bout Snacks will be on site too.
Come out and enjoy the great outdoors and learn about fish and fishing in the Annapolis River! It’s going to be a “reel-ly” good time!!

SOOF @ WELL-ROOTED - Plant Market & Garden Gathering
2025-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Beaver Creek Vineyard, 496 Carleton Road, Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, B0S 1M0, Canada
Save Our Old Forests is excited to be part of the first WELL-ROOTED event which celebrates plants, sustainability and community!
WELL-ROOTED is more than just a market—it’s a gathering of plant lovers, artisans, and community members coming together to cultivate connections and plant inspiration.
Plant and artisan marketplace, live entertainment, lawn games, door prizes, local treats and more! Plus SOOF will have a table – stop by and say hi to our volunteers, come chat with us about Goldsmith Lake, check out our SOOFSTOCK 2025 shirts!

Owl Prowl with Donna Crossland
2025-05-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
NOTE: The registration for the Owl Prowl is now full – but we are accepting names for the waitlist! Please send an email to soof@saveouroldforests.ca and ask to be added. If a spot opens up we will contact the waiting list on a “first come first serve” basis.
Join Donna Crossland and Save Our Old Forests for a nighttime Owl Prowl adventure at the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area! Hear owl stories, learn their calls, consider a nest box owl home. Possibly see barred owls up close from the old forest habitat that surrounds us.
Registration required.
RAIN DATE: Saturday, May 10
Informed Consent & Release Of Liability: Our workshops are a wonderful way to connect to nature, learn more about our forests and interact with the community, but it is not without certain risks, dangers, hazards, and liabilities to participants. We require all participants (or their legal guardians) to complete, sign and date the waiver before they can participate in the workshop. Click here to download the waiver and please ensure that you bring it with you to the workshop. Extra copies will be available at check-in if you forget!

iNaturalist Workshop - with Lisa Proulx & Karen Achenbach
2025-04-26 10:00 - 15:30 | West Dalhousie Community Hall, 4868 West Dalhousie Road, West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0
NOTE: The registration for the iNaturalist Workshop with Lisa Proulx and Karen Achenbach is now full – but we are accepting names for the waitlist! Please send an email to soof@saveouroldforests.ca and ask to be added. If a spot opens up we will contact the waiting list on a “first come first serve” basis.
Join SOOF and Citizen Scientists Lisa Proulx and Karen Achenbach for a fun day of learning how to use the iNaturalist app. We will start the day at the West Dalhousie Community Hall to learn the basics of the app, navigation and tips, and after lunch head over to the Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area for some hands on practice!
All participants are asked to download and install the iNaturalist app on their smart phone or table BEFORE coming to the workshop. You can find links for the Apple and Android versions here: https://inaturalist.ca/
Maximum 12 participants.
RAIN DATE: Sunday, April 27
Informed Consent & Release Of Liability: Our workshops are a wonderful way to connect to nature, learn more about our forests and interact with the community, but it is not without certain risks, dangers, hazards, and liabilities to participants. We require all participants (or their legal guardians) to complete, sign and date the waiver before they can participate in the workshop. Click here to download the waiver and please ensure that you bring it with you to the workshop. Extra copies will be available at check-in if you forget!

2025 Annual General Meeting - SOOF Association
2025-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Save the Date for the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Save Our Old Forests (SOOF) Association. The meeting is open to all but only registered Voting Members can vote at the meeting. If you would like to become a Voting Member please see our Get Involved page for more information.
AGM 2025 – Agenda and Materials to be sent separately. The meeting will be a hybrid of in-person and video (Microsoft Teams) call. Details to follow.

SOOF Soup Saturday & Earth Day Celebration
2025-04-19 12:00 - 16:00 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
SOOF is souper excited for our last SOOF Soup event of 2025! Plus we’re celebrating Earth Day with our good friends at the Centrelea Community Hall and volunteers from the Valley Credit Union!
Join us for a day family friendly fun, food, discovery, crafting, and more! Plant a tree from Floreren Farm, check out the lichen samples through a microscope with the Citizen Scientists, stop by and say hi to our friends from the Clean Annapolis River Project and Soft Pine Wellness. Then head on over to the outdoor stage for some live music featuring The Possimibilities!

Date: Saturday April 19
Location: Centrelea Community Hall (3495 Hwy 201)
Hike: 9:30 – 11:30am (Registration required*)
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Activities at the Hall: 1:30pm – 4:00pm

*Pre-register for the hike by emailing centerleacommunityhall@gmail.com

SOOF Presentation - Town of Middleton
2025-03-17 18:45 - 19:30 | Middleton Town Hall, 131 Commercial Street, Middleton, Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0, Canada
Save Our Old Forests will be presenting to the Mayor and Council of the Town of Middleton about the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement and how in return for $28.5M to be spent on conservation in Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia agreed to meet an interim target of protection 15% by March 2026. That means moving 72,000 hectares into protection by next year.
SOOF will be asking Council to write a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in support of including the proposed Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area (3,900 ha) in the tranche of lands that must be protected by that March 2026 deadline.
If you live in town or in the surrounding area we would love for you to join us and show your support for SOOF! Please drop us a line to let us know if you can be there! The presentation will start promptly at 7pm so guests are asked to arrive by 6:45pm.

SOOF Soup Sunday – Featuring Dr. Cindy Staicer
2025-03-16 12:00 - 14:30 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Wear some green and come celebrate St. Patty’s Day with SOOF!

Will the world’s tallest leprechaun make another appearance at SOOF Soup Sunday?

The only one way to find out is to join Save Our Old Forests for our 3rd SOOF Soup Sunday at Centrelea Community Hall on Sunday March 16 (12pm – 2:30pm) for a free lunch and presentation! This month we are featuring special guest Dr. Cindy Staicer who will talk about her project focusing on Forest Bird Species at Risk and their Habitats.

Lunch features homemade soups by SOOF Chefs Chantelle and Rob (with a vegan/gluten free option!) and bread donated by our good friends at Bee’s Knees General Store and Bakery . Send us a note or comment below to let us know you plan to attend – just so we get a sense of numbers for the soup makers and the bread bakers! If you would like to contribute, please bring a sweet treat for the for the dessert table and a label of ingredients.

ps. If you’re coming bring a mason jar or reusable container to take home some leftovers – first come first serve!!

SOOF Presentation - Town of Annapolis Royal
2025-03-05 17:50 - 18:30 | Annapolis Royal Town Hall, 285 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada
Save Our Old Forests will be presenting to the Mayor and Council of the Town of Annapolis Royal about the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement and how in return for $28.5M to be spent on conservation in Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia agreed to meet an interim target of protection 15% by March 2026. That means moving 72,000 hectares into protection by next year.
SOOF will be asking Council to write a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in support of including the proposed Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area (3,900 ha) in the tranche of lands that must be protected by that March 2026 deadline.
If you live in town or in the surrounding area we would love for you to join us and show your support for SOOF! Please drop us a line to let us know if you can be there! The presentation will start promptly at 6pm so guests are asked to arrive by 5:50pm.

Winter Adventure at Four Mile Stillwater Trail
2025-03-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Four Mile Stillwater Trail, 2032 Nova Scotia Trunk 8, Bear River
Join SOOF, Medway Community Forests and Annapolis County Recreation for a guided walk/snowshoe at the Four Mile Stillwater Trail. Angelika and Ashlea will be leading a walk through the beautiful mixed forest to learn about work being done to protect hemlock trees in Kespukwitk. This trail is managed through a partnership with the Medway Community Forest Coop and the Friends of the Medway Lakes Wilderness Area. Snowshoes will be available to try out… if there’s snow!
Informed Consent & Release Of Liability: Our workshops are a wonderful way to connect to nature, learn more about our forests and interact with the community, but it is not without certain risks, dangers, hazards, and liabilities to participants. We require all participants (or their legal guardians) to complete, sign and date the waiver before they can participate in the workshop. Click here to download the waiver and please ensure that you bring it with you to the workshop. Extra copies will be available at check-in if you forget!
Click HERE to Register

SOOF Soup Saturday - Featuring Lisa Proulx
2025-02-22 12:00 - 14:30 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Join Save Our Old Forests for a free lunch of delicious soup and bread, followed by a conversation with Citizen Scientist Lisa Proulx!
We would appreciate if you could send an email to soof@saveouroldforests.ca so we get a sense of numbers. Also let us know if you’ll bring something for the dessert table!

SOOF Soup Sunday - Featuring Nina Newington
2025-01-19 12:00 - 14:30 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Join Save Our Old Forests for a free lunch of delicious soup and bread, followed by a conversation with Nina Newington talking about the difference between OLD and OLD GROWTH forests! This is a free event, but a free will donation to the Hall is appreciated.
We would appreciate if you could send an email to soof@saveouroldforests.ca so we get a sense of numbers. Also let us know if you’ll bring something for the dessert table!

SOOF @ Christmas at the Brewery
2024-12-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Halifax Brewery Market, 1496 Lower Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Kjipuktuk/Halifax Save Our Old Forests (SOOF) team has a table at the Patagonia Store! Stop by and say hello, sign a petition and pick up a sticker before heading into the Christmas at the Brewery Market on Sunday December 15! It’s going to be a fun day with 40+ local vendors, coffee & treats and live music!

SOOF Craft Night - Live Wreath Workshop
2024-11-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Join SOOF and Anne from Awkward Acres for a fun evening of crafting at the Centrelea Community Hall! Anne will provide all the materials and instructions, and we’ll spend a few hours creating fresh mini wreaths featuring a pillar candle, rescued saucer, natural materials and a few bits and pieces of finery. Each wreath will be unique and all will be beautiful! Click HERE TO REGISTER

Forests and Health: Forest Bathing and Nature-based Wellness Workshop
2024-11-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
Join SOOF and Wil Brunner (Certified Forest Therapy Guide) of Soft Pine Wellness for a forest bathing experience at Goldsmith Lake Wilderness Area. The Forest Bathing and Nature-based Wellness Workshop features forest bathing and other nature-based health practices to demonstrate how old, thriving forests boost our well-being and are essential to our local communities.
Registration required. To register visit www.softpinewellness.ca/forest-bathing
Free event, but donations are very much appreciated. Suggested amount is $10. Please send e-transfer to Wil Brunner at softpinewellness@gmail.com or email to discuss other options.

SOOF Letter Writing Cafe - POSTPONED
2024-11-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Centrelea Community Hall, 3495 Highway 201, Centrelea, Nova Scotia, B0S 1C0, Canada
POSTPONED!
We will be postponing our first “SOOF Letter Writing Café” until some time after the upcoming election (November 26th). SOOF will reschedule once we know who is in power and how to address all the letters.

We’re going to gather together in-person for a few hours and sit down and write some letters to the Premier and Minister Rushton (DNRR) and Minister Halman (Environment).
People often say they aren’t sure what to write, or what to include in a letter. This will be a great place to learn some tips and write a letter (or two) to show your support for SOOF! Feel free to bring your laptop, or use the paper and pens provided to craft your own handwritten letter.
The SOOF Cafe will be serving tea, coffee and sweet treats to keep everyone going! Please drop us a line to let us know you are coming and if you’d like to contribute something to the sweets table.

Old Time Country Music & Dance
2024-11-02 19:00 - 22:00 | Round Hill Community Hall, 1689 Hwy 201, Round Hill, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada
Get your dancing shoes on and two-step your way to the Round Hill Community Hall on Saturday, November 2 for an Old Time Music & Country Dance in support of Save Our Old Forests (SOOF)! Live fiddle music by The North Mountain Islanders, instructions in two steps, waltzes and maybe a contra or two!
$10 at the door – kids are free
