The health of our forests is the bedrock foundation for economically and environmentally sustainable rural communities along the Eastern Shore.
Prior to its establishment as an environmental cooperative, The Deanery Project was known to the community as The Tangier Deanery Centre. The site was owned and operated by the Anglican Church as a summer camp, and rental site, with forestry methods varying widely throughout its seventy-five year history. Since its purchase in 2011 by a group of environmental educators, activists, community members, and permaculture enthusiasts, the woodlot and surrounding acreage have been managed in a way that ensures sustainability and ecosystem integrity are at the forefront of all decision-making.
This image, provided by Dr. Peter Duinker, and students from Dalhousie’s School of Resource and Environmental Studies illustrates through an aerial view the changes to The Deanery site over the past 100 years.
Take the time to explore our Forest web pages linked below to learn more about The Deanery Project’s woodlot, how we manage it, how you can be involved, and the many related projects we have ongoing.
Trails
The Deanery Project is home to 4.5 kilometres of trails traversing our sustainably managed woodlot. Functioning as habitat for native trees, wildlife, and our “forest guardians” our intimate nature trail provides a magical setting for environmental education and exploration!
To view maps and learn more, visit our Trails page.
Services (Forestry Related)
Visit our Forestry Related Services page to learn more about a forest-focused programs and projects.
Education
See our Education page to read more about our series of environmental education offerings related to forests and sustainability.
Acadian Forest Restoration
The Deanery Project is currently involved with a number of initiatives to nurture and restores native Acadian Forest plants.
Watch for more on our new Acadian Forest Restoration page
COMING SOON.
Our Common Woods
In an effort to operate under principles of sustainability and to support art-inspired public “place-making” initiatives, the Halifax Regional Municipality engaged The Deanery Project to facilitate and curate Our Common Woods: a program whereby trees felled during the roundabout expansion were used to create art projects. These were then returned to the Common, and installed there in June of 2017.
Read more on the Our Common Woods webpage.
Solar Wood Kiln
Construction of a solar wood kiln at The Deanery Project began in 2011 in response to reception of trees felled on Dalhousie campus, and in support of The Deanery’s interests in sustainable woodland management. In addition to providing value added wood products, the solar wood kiln is intended to act as a valuable teaching tool, helping to:
- illustrate basic passive solar design and solar heating principals
- motivate local woodlot owners to consider low-impact, value-added opportunities for their wood.
- create educational experiences to build skills connecting natural building and the forest industry
Learn more about our Solar Wood Kiln.
