Official homepage for the Town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

We hold the long-term environmental sustainability of Yarmouth high on our list of priorities. To that end, we've partnered with several organizations to ensure that we're doing all that we can to protect and preserve Yarmouth for generations to come. This includes the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve – a UNESCO-designated and internationally recognized region of natural and cultural heritage. The SNBR spans the 5 counties of Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens and is one of only 16 biosphere reserves in Canada.

Nova Scotia has become a world leader in waste management practices since adopting the Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy in 1995, and Yarmouth is no less dedicated to efficient waste management. With the partnership of Waste Check, we've implemented a waste collection system that ensures that we divert as much recyclable and reusable materials away from landfills as possible.

Recyclables

Two blue bag systems – one for paper, one for cans and containers. Yarmouth & Digby Counties recyclables are transported to Scotia Recycling, where the materials are reclaimed and shipped out to markets to be recycled into useful items.

Organics

Collected bi-weekly, using a green cart left at the curb of each municipal unit – paper liners only. Carts come in two sizes – 65 gallons and 35 gallons. Organics are transported to the Compost Plant in Yarmouth where they're processed into compost.

Garbage

Collected bi-weekly, in clear bags (one black/green bag is permitted per garbage collection for each household). We switched to clear bags in 2007 primarily to give waste collection staff a chance to inspect trash bags on the curb or in the sorting plant and reduce the number of useful materials being shipped to a second-generation landfill in the Region of Queens Municipality.

Ensuring the ecological sustainability of Yarmouth is a long-term project for everyone. Please be sure to sort your trash properly and do what you can to reduce your carbon footprint whenever possible. Along with composting, recycling, and disposing of household garbage properly, you can take part in our Adopt-a-Block program. Seafood lovers can also use ThisFish to discover where their seafood came from, learn about the fishermen who harvested it, and ensure that their purchases help the environment.

Taking Action on Climate Change

We're also planning for the possible effect climate change may have on our seaside town. The Climate Change Action Plan was implemented in 2013, which calls for amendments to the town's Land Use By-Law and the pdf Municipal Planning Strategy(6.12 MB)  to allow for measures to be taken to protect local infrastructure from storm surges, a rise in sea level, and intense rainfall, based on findings from Dalhousie University and the Atlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions Association (ACASA).

In 2021, the town released a Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan (MAP) to reduce the amount of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) produced by the Town of Yarmouth. The Town of Yarmouth believes that it has a responsibility to address Climate change and to develop solutions to mitigate its impacts. This plan attempts to limit the scope of mitigation actions to activities of the corporate body and not the wider community. The plan also acknowledges that GHG emissions are a borderless concept. Access the  pdf Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan(320 KB) .

Yarmouth’s schools play an important role in helping the next generation reach their full potential. With two elementary schools, a junior high, a brand new high school, a special needs school, and a community college within the town, Yarmouth offers lifelong educational opportunities for everyone.

Beyond the town’s English-based public school system, Nova Scotia also has an Acadian school system – Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP). There are seven French schools in Yarmouth County.

The following schools are located within the Town of Yarmouth.  For a more complete list of schools in Yarmouth County, visit the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education or CSAP website.

1. Yarmouth Elementary School
2. Meadowfields Elementary School
3. Maple Grove Education Centre
4. Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School
5. NSCC Burridge
6. Yarmouth County Learning Network

You can also access parenting services at Parents' Place – an informal family resource centre for parents and their children as well as childcare providers. Parents' Place offers you a place away from the routines of home, where you and your child can play and learn together. Parents' Place runs interesting programs and has a well-stocked library on parenting and developmental issues.

You'll find staff who are well-trained and experienced, including early childhood educators who develop programs for the centre. Staff are available to offer assistance in areas pertaining to family and parenting needs. They will also make professional contacts for participants if needed.

The Yarmouth Dog Park was established to provide dog owners and those who care for dogs, the opportunity to socialize and provide their pets with off-leash exercise. It is located between South East Street and Forest Street, alongside the Broad Brook Trail, behind the Mariners ball field (see map below). The park features a ground cover of grass and has two separate enclosures. Visitors to the park will need to bring their own water. Please note that the dog park is not accessible to persons with mobility issues.

For more details and regular updates, follow the Yarmouth Dog Park on Facebook. 

Park Rules

• Hours: Dawn To Dusk
• Use park at your and your dog’s own risk
• Owners are legally responsible for the behaviour of their dog at all times
• Dogs must be leashed while entering and exiting the park  (Bylaw #20*) 
• Dog waste must be picked up and disposed of in designated containers by their owners immediately
• Owners must be present in the park and supervise their dogs with leash readily available at all times
• Dog handlers must be at least 16 years of age. Children from 9 – 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Children under 8 are prohibited
• Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately
• Dogs should have current immunization
• Only 2 dogs per handler
• Owners must fill in holes dug by their dogs, immediately
• Handlers are to discourage their dogs from negative behaviour
  
  The following are prohibited:
  
  
• Human and dog food/treats
• Glass containers
• Dogs in heat, sick dogs, or aggressive dogs
• Puppies under 4 months
• Smoking, littering, consuming alcohol, and use of bicycles
• No spiked, pronged, or choke collars

 Park Location

2 Clements Avenue, Yarmouth, NS