2017 – PEI Wildlife Convservation Fund

Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group (SAWIG)

The Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group (SAWIG) received funding through the PEI
Wildlife Conservation Fund to host what has become an annual series entitled “Building Better
Backyards for Birds”, held within the Stratford watershed. This year, multiple events were held,
aimed at both improving winter food sources for local and migrating wildlife, as well as providing
nesting location for tree swallows. SAWIG works diligently to engage the public within its
communities (Stratford, Pownal, Alexandra, Fullertons, Hazelbrook), and this series invites
participants to construct their own quality wooden birdfeeders and birdboxes during the winter
months. Educational pieces are distributed to all participants on tree swallows, birdfeeder and
birdbox maintenance and care, as well as a presentation on the types of birds they may see at their
feeders throughout the winter. This year, information was also distributed on trichomonosis to
those who attended the birdfeeder activities to help slow the spread of this destructive disease.

Pisquid River Enhancement Project

This project took place in 5 island watersheds including: Vernon River, Seal River, Clarks Creek Pisquid River and Head of Hillsborough. The objective of the project was to conduct stream assessments and create plans that guide our habitat restoration and enhancement efforts in the coming years. Through the course of the project we successfully monitored and trapped beavers in three active area and removed nuisance beavers that posed a threat to fish passage and habitat. In October we conducted a salmon redd survey in five watershed areas, this data will be used as a benchmark for our habitat restoration efforts in the coming years.

Nature PEI a.k.a Natural History Society of PEI Ltd.

This project has secured the illustrations for a book on the mammals of the province and adjacent marine waters that is being authored by Rosemary Curley, Dr. Pierre Daoust, Dr. Don McAlpine and Kim Reihl and Dan McAskill. A file withteh material was recived on Friday evening March 23rd. A non-fiction book without pictures will serve an educational purpose but an illustrated text is more likely to be used. Illustrations will show the reader what the species look like, and for some mammals, how to identify them by their tracks and skulls. Illustrations of 62 mammal s including extirpated species, natives, invaders, and introduced species were secured

Coalition-SGSL

This project enabled the Coalition-SGSL to conduct eelgrass planting projects in Malpeque Bay, PEI, with the assistance from the Kensington North Watersheds Association (KNWA).

Central Queens Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation

The Winter Woodlot Tour educates landowners and the public about good stewardship of their woodlots; how to use them for recreation; how to manage for the benefit of wildlife including mammals and raptors; how to improve the health of their trees; to educate people about trapping practices; demonstrate the work of organizations such as watershed groups and the invasive species council; and generally teach people, young and old, to value their woodland.

Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group (SAWIG)

As a group in a fast-growing part of Prince Edward Island, the Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group (SAWIG) works diligently each season to improve wildlife habitat throughout its sub-watersheds, as well as work towards empowering and engaging residents to become environmental stewards on their own property. With increasing pressure on remaining wildlife habitat in our region, SAWIG is committed to working in local waterways, parks and public spaces and with town staff and residents to help create and enhance places for wildlife to live, nest and feed.

West Point and Area Watersheds Inc.

Our project funded by WCF was a success. We were able to; reduce sediment bedload in stream and improve connectivity along the Big Pierre Jacque River with the re-design and bridge replacement. We also enhanced the riparian zone with bank stabilization and the planting of 200 native trees and shrubs. These measures were a direct benefit to wildlife as it improved fish passage, stabilized banks and enhanced the substrate for aquatic species. Tree planting provided extra shade and cover for wildlife.

Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association

Protecting and restoring wildlife habitat within the Bedeque Bay watershed is a vital component of BBEMA’s mandate. This project partnered with agricultural landowners to enhance fish habitat and connectivity (Wilmot and Dunk River) through a combination of instream and riparian zone restoration efforts. This labor-intensive work involved the selective removal of instream debris and placement of structures to consolidate instream sediment and help better define the natural stream meanders.

Richmond Bay Watershed Association

Watershed habitat restoration efforts can serve to improve the many ecological functions of stream channels and riparian zones that provide a home to many of our native wildlife species. The second year of this project focused to restore ecological health on four watersheds, Trout River, Little Trout River, Mill Creek and the Ellis River located in Central Prince County, PEI.

Winter River – Tracadie Bay Watershed Association

Project locations were spread throughout Winter River – Tracadie Bay Watershed Association’s management area.
Goals: improve fish passage and stream health, improve forest quantity and quality, monitor water quality and quantity, water conservation to improve stream health, community education.
Results: blockages removed from 8.5km of stream, culvert repair allowed fish passage to 1.5km of stream, 19 water conservation program participants, 3000 trees and shrubs planted, 2 tons of shoreline garbage collected, 25 brushmats built and 16 brush mats updated, 42 brush piles constructed, 24 patch cuts for forest enhancement, 26 students from Stonepark held field trip with tree planting and shoreline cleanup.

Abegweit Conservation Society

The Habitat Monitoring & Reclamation/Midgell Phase II & Savage Watershed Management took place in the watersheds of Midgell River and the Savage Harbour. The project was designed to be holistic in scope and contained monitoring, habitat rehabilitation and Aboriginal Traditional Ecological Outreach activities.

Lot 11 and Area Watershed Management Group Inc.

Because of WCF funding, our culvert replacement project undertaken on the Freeland Creek in the Municipality of Lot 11 and Area, West Prince was a huge success. The project was designed with three goals in mind. First, we wanted to improve connectivity and reduce pressure on the system in high water flow events. Our second goal was to improve fish passage. And finally to enhance the riparian zone with brush matting for bank stabilization and the planting of shrubs and trees.

Lot 11 and Area Watershed Management Group Inc.

Successful Applicant: Lot 11 and Area Watershed Management Group Inc. Award:$2,029 Project Title:Enmore River Rehabilitation Project Project Summary: Because of WCF funding, we were able to begin rehabilitation efforts on […]

Kensington North Watershed Association

Our project goals, as summarised in the project title, focus on habitat restoration in the Kensington North Watersheds area.

Hillsborough River Association

Our project took place in Clark’s Creek, Marshfield, and Head of Hillsborough watersheds with the goals of stream enhancement and promoting stewardship. We patch cut alders to promote understory growth, completed fish passage surveys, installed fish cover structures, planted over 1000 native trees and shrubs, monitored beavers and gradually removed dams in our management areas, and installed over 100 m of brushmats to trap sediment. We also hosted numerous events including snowshoeing, hiking, and an educational school watershed day, as well as constructed a viewing stand/fishing access platform at Jay’s Pond in Clark’s Creek.

Morell River Management Cooperative Limited

Successful Applicant: Morell River Management Cooperative Limited Award:$9,545 Project Title:Watershed Habitat Rehabilitation within the St Peter’s Bay Area Project Gallery: Project Summary: This project took place within the St Peter’s […]

Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group

The Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group was formed in 1999 to preserve and restore the health of the Hunter River Watershed in North Central Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada. We focus on creating a sustainable future for the local community through the protection and preservation of our waterways and the native flora and fauna.

Cornwall and Area Watershed Group Inc

Successful Applicant: Cornwall and Area Watershed Group Inc Award:$3,330 Project Title:The Conservation Stewardship and Habitat Improvement Project Project Gallery: Project Summary: The Conservation Stewardship and Habitat Improvement Project was initiated […]

Belfast Community Development Corporation

Successful Applicant: Belfast Community Development Corporation Award:$991 Project Title:Establish a Watershed Group in the Belfast Area and Prioritize Watershed Issues in the Community. Project Gallery: Project Summary: Early in 2017 […]

Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation

Successful Applicant: Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation Award:$12,917 Project Title:Souris and Area Wildlife Stream Enhancement 2017 Project Gallery: Project Summary: This project consisted of restoration, monitoring […]

City of Charlottetown

Successful Applicant: City of Charlottetown Award:$1,611 Project Title:Miltonvale Wellfield Reforestation Project Field Trip Project Gallery: Project Summary: In October, the City of Charlottetown hosted three Grade 8 classes from Queen […]

Pisquid River Enhancement Project

This project took place in Vernon River, Pisquid River, and Head of Hillsborough watersheds with the goal of stream enhancement and fish passage restoration. Our 2017 project saw completion of our fish passage restoration project at MacMillans Pond in Vernon River; gradual beaver dam removal and associated trapping in beaver management zones; alder patch cuts; native tree and shrub planting; over 200m of brushmats built; rock weirs constructed and rock used for bank stabilization; cover structures placed; annual smelt festival; and ongoing fish passage monitoring in Vernon River.

Southeast Environmental Association

SEA’s Stream Enhancement Program has primarily focused on connectivity and providing barrier-free access to fish from the estuary to the headwaters, with the following objectives in mind:
1. Restoring access to ideal habitats for juvenile and adult fish.
2. Maintaining or improving existing migratory fish habitat.
3. Enhancing spawning areas and access to them.
4. Evaluating restoration efforts and adjusting work as needed.
5. Working with landowners to improve fish habitat.

Sierra Club PEI Chapter

Successful Applicant: Sierra Club Canada Foundation Award:$2,935 Project Title:Wild Child Forest School—PEI Project Summary: Sierra Club Canada Foundation successfully piloted the first season of the PEI Wild Child Forest School, […]

Wright’s Creek Watershed Environmental Committee

Successful Applicant: Wright’s Creek Watershed Environmental Committee Award: $3,636 Project Title: Install Educational Signage for Andrew’s Pond Trails Project Gallery: Project Summary: There are hundreds of people living within a […]

Central Queens Branch of PEI Wildlife Federation

The project funded by the WCF was just one of many activities the CQWF completed during the 2017 field season. The WCF was used remove ~1000m3 of sediment while constructing a new sediment by-pass pond on the east branch of the Clyde River; this branch of the Clyde River has received minimal rehabilitation efforts over recent years. The ambition for 2018 will be to begin restoring salmonid habitat on the ~2 km section of stream below the by-pass sediment trap. The removal of finer sediments is critical in restoring the quality and amount of salmonid habitat required to meet the life history requirements.

Wheatley River Improvement Group, Inc.

Successful Applicant: Wheatley River Improvement Group, Inc. Award:$4,970 Project Title:WRIG Habitat Enhancement and Natural Meander Pattern Recovery Project Gallery: Project Summary: This project took place in the Wheatley River watershed […]

Wheatley River Improvement Group Inc.

This project took place in the Wheatley River watershed, specifically in South Rustico, near an inlet of Rustico Bay. The purpose of the project was to enhance osprey habitat and protect osprey from injury by providing a safe and appropriate nesting platform. With help from Maritime Electric and Fish and Wildlife, an ideal location was selected. The structure was built by Maritime Electric, based on a design that has been successfully implemented in other areas on the Island. It is essentially a platform constructed at the top end of a tall post (a “retired” electrical pole). The post and platform were installed in conjunction with the Conseil acadien de Rustico at the “sentier de nos racines” trail, which is part of the “Jardins du Grand-Rustico” in behind the Centre acadien Grand-Rustico. The Centre is located in a prime osprey nesting area and they have had many problems in the past with osprey continually attempting to build nests in active electrical poles causing power outages and injury, even death, to the bird population. The new location is far enough from the road to deter the birds from attempting to nest in the power poles and closer to the water in a safe nesting area. Our hope is that the osprey will nest in the new platform upon their return this Spring.

Trout Unlimited Canada Prince County Chapter Inc

Successful Applicant: Trout Unlimited Canada Prince County Chapter Inc Award:$620 Project Title:Percival River Floating Docks Project Gallery: Project Summary: Three floating docks were installed at various sites in the Percival […]

Oak Meadows Inc.

This project was the first phase of a larger initiative to a) update the status of PEI rivers for the presence of Atlantic salmon and b) classify river- and reach-specific habitat quality and capacity to support the species. The methodology represented an expansion of earlier river surveys that informed the 2009 Atlantic Salmon Federation document “A Conservation Strategy for Atlantic Salmon in Prince Edward Island”.

Central Queens Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation

The original project plans were to collaborate with Bluefield High School to setup a website with a live video feed of an Osprey nest near Carragher’s Pond for educational purposes. Due to the time frame and technical complications the nest camera was not completed.

Morell River Management Cooperative Limited

The purpose of this project is to improve on Atlantic Salmon habitat and it’s wild population by addressing blockages to fish passage and migration, and by helping to collect broodstock for the Abegweit Biodiversity Enhancement Hatchery for future fish releases in the St Peter’s Bay area.

Kensington North Watersheds Association

Staff from Kensington North made two trips to the Valley to retrieve the birds that were trapped. A total of eighteen birds were brought to Prince Edward Island and released in the Indian River area. Twelve pheasants, five males and seven females, were transported, banded and released in the Indian River Wildlife Management Area. An additional six birds, three males and three females, were banded prior to transport to the Island and released on a Stewardship property northeast of the Wildlife Management Area.

Englewood Home & School Association

The Englewood Outdoors Green Club is comprised of interested grades 4-6 students who enjoy learning about the environment and getting outdoors. Teachers at the school oversee the Club and the Home and School Association provides assistance in organizing and carrying out activities.