A McNabs Island excursion
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Fort IvesFirst up: Fort Ives on the northern tip of the island. This military fortification was completed in 1870. -
Morning boat rideAlumni and friends set out on the day’s adventure – a tour of McNabs Island, just off the coast of Halifax Harbour. -
Cannons at Fort IvesThe fortification proved to be most of the more important components of Halifax’s defenses in WWI. -
Ryall FamilyMary, Patricia and Prof. Pat Ryall (BSc’66, PhD'75) explore the battery. -
Cannon climbingChris Mintern (BS'99, DDS'03) and his mother-in-law, Linda Wilson, take a closer look at the cannons, which are still in their original position. -
Window peekShane Patelakis (MSc'99) and son Kyle peer into the window of an abandoned house on the northern side of the island. -
KateDal community design student Kate Van Gurp was one of the guides from the Friends of McNabs Society. Here she shares a ghost story in front of the David-Conrad House. -
Wandering the fortJohn Fahey (BSc'86) and Pat Hoyt (BSc'85, BA'88) outside Fort McNab. -
Fort viewBiology’s Bill Freedman (third from right) points out landmarks around Halifax Harbour from atop Fort McNab. -
Across the fortAlumnus Heather Horodyski (BSc'75) explores Fort McNab with sons Jesse and Mike. -
SilhouettesNo, Indiana Jones - they're not digging in the wrong place. Just more exploring across the island. -
Down trailAlumni explorers head into the woods with Bill Freedman for a guided hike focusing on the natural history of McNabs Island. -
GravestonesThe McNab family cemetary contains 13 marked graves of the McNabs family and their relatives, as well as a number of unmarked graves -
Indian PipesThe Indian Pipe—one of many plants Dr. Freedman pointed out—is a myco-heterotrophic plant, meaning it takes its energy from the fungus and trees around it. -
The largest island in Halifax Harbour, McNabs Island played a crucial role in defending the city in wartime, such as hosting gun batteries and search lights during World War II. Today, the island hosts a provincial park, and the the Friends of McNabs Island Society, a volunteer-based non-profit organization, works to ensure the island's preservation. On August 20, the Faculties of Science and Arts and Social Sciences partnered on an alumni excursion to the island, with a tour presented by the Friends of McNabs Island Society and a nature walk led by Biology professor Bill Freedman.
(All photos Dawna MacIvor, except for gravestone photo by Raymond Roberts. BSc'75)
