Successful Applicant:
Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group
Award:
$7,100
Project Title:
Rehabilitating Brook Trout Habitat on the Headwater Streams of the Hunter River
Project Gallery:
Project Summary:
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.
The watershed group uses a range of monitoring, mitigation and rehabilitation techniques to target important project sites to enhance and restore the ecological balance of the Hunter River (River Clyde) Watershed. This year, the group improved fish passage by removing abandoned beaver dams along the Rosewood Branch and selectively cutting tree blockages for approximately 7km within the headwater streams between Clyde Road and Route 2. In stream brush mats were also installed to store excess silt to rehabilitate habitat conditions to improve food availability and reproductive success for Brook trout along the Hopedale Branch. In addition, six alder patch cuts were made to diversify riparian habitat along Route 2. Over 3500 native shrubs and trees were planted along rivers, ponds, within hedgerows, shorelines, and old meadows to increase forest area, diversity and improve habitat conditions for fish and wildlife.
This year, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada funded a fish passage restoration project through a perched culvert on St. Patrick’s Road, by installing two jersey barriers to create two pools of water to raise the stream level below the culvert. In addition to rehabilitation efforts, water and wildlife monitoring efforts were expanded this year to identify key project areas, track changes over time and to measure project successes. Monitoring efforts includes water flow and quality measurements, headwater surveys, stream health assessments, along with observational fish and wildlife surveys.
The Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group attends community events and provides information for residents and visiting tourists within the community to have a better understanding of water, land use impacts, forests, birds, fish and other wildlife on PEI. The Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group is the founder and co-host of the annual Winter Woodlot Tour, attracting over 1500 islanders of all ages. The local watershed group is actively involved with educating students from local homes and schools by collaborating with other non-profit organizations, partners and stakeholders to provide students a hands-on approach through outdoor environmental education programs.
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