SAM has been steady going since the Spring AGM in Corner Brook and the NL Habitat Conservation Workshop in St. John’s - SAM staff have been across the Province engaging with our members in the beautiful communities they steward and hold so dear. SAM has had great conversations with both our current member municipalities on potential expansions to their existing agreements, and with new municipalities on their future potential membership within the organization, continuing to support the Habitat Stewardship Program in our province. |
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This summer has seen our Outreach Coordinator Karleena visiting several municipalities, teaching kids all about wetlands, species at risk and Aquatic Invasive Species! The summer camps in the Towns of Spaniard's Bay and Harbour Grace invited her to do some outreach with the kids in early August, she also visited the Town of Whitbourne as part of their Summer Recreation Program, and the Town of Bauline's summer camp! All of SAM's Outreach Programs are free of charge - we'd love to be invited to your next event! Or reach out and ask us to help you plan one! Email Karleena at samengagement995@gmail.com to arrange. |
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| Outreach Coordinator Karleena in the Towns of Whitbourne and Bauline |
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L: Karleena in North Harbour collecting data for the Breeding Bird Atlas
R: Willem in Bonavista conducting a Short-eared Owl Survey |
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Willem, SAM's Eastern Conservation Biologist, has had a very rewarding summer working with our member municipalities - from celebrating new partnerships, to strengthening existing ones, Willem has been astounded at the love of nature residents of this province hold and at the commitment to conservation many municipalities are excited to make. One highlight for Willem was traveling to the Town of Port Rexton to celebrate one of our newest members, and leading an interpretive hike on the internationally recognized Skerwink Trail as part of the celebration. |
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 | | Outreach Coordinator Karleena and East Coast Biologist Willem testing the knowledge of the residents of the Town of Port Rexton with some trivia! |
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In July she also took part in the 2025 Limestone Barrens BioBlitz at the Town of Port au Choix National Historic Site on the Great Northern Peninsula, which was a collaborative event with Intervale Associates, Parks Canada, Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture NL - Wildlife Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Nature NL, Wilder Institute, Limestone Landscapes that celebrated the unique biodiversity of the Limestone Barrens. More than 70 participants from across North America surveyed and collected data on plants, animals, insects, and other organisms on the Limestone Landscapes Priority Place. This was part of a 3-year project that supports species at risk monitoring and conservation, building and strengthening community relationships, and expanding knowledge of the organisms found within the Limestone Barrens. |
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| Limestone Barrens Bioblitz and Limestone Barrens Day on the Northern Peninsula |
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Left: Leanna (Codroy Valley Wetland Interpretation Centre) and Glen (Intervale Associates) chat with the land owner, overlooking Little Codroy
Right: 1 of 6 secondary-cavity nesting bird boxes installed along the estuary trails |
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Between visits to Codroy, Natalie made a stop at a SAM Conservation Area in the Town of Steady Brook. The Humber River has been running at unusually low levels this summer due to warmer temperatures and less precipitation, which has revealed old logs lying across the exposed riverbed - a reminder of the area’s logging history, normally hidden beneath the water. |
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 | Exposed logs long forgotten in the Humber River in Steady Brook,
a reminder of the area's logging history. |
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Green Crab Trapping at the Codroy Valley Wetland Interpretation Centre
- "Wings & Claws" Community Event |
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As students return to school and the leaves start to change colour, the summer season comes to a close and a busy autumn lies before us. With the Municipal and Provincial elections just on the horizon, there can be a lot of uncertainty in change and hesitation in the unknown - it is important to remind ourselves that the communities that we live in and the beautiful environment that surrounds us are all connected through a thread in time. Take solace in our steadfast landscapes and the special places we enjoy. As an elected representative, you get to help make the important decisions that shape our future, and can continue to be a leader in conserving this Province. |
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Each Fall, SAM holds Regional Meetings across the province to encourage and stimulate conservation conversations within the regions, and to support and facilitate networking amongst regional municipalities and community organizations. These meetings are opportunities for representatives from our member municipalities, invited guests and our partner organizations to share conservation and stewardship success stories and challenges. Municipalities are able to share their future hopes and dreams for conservation and stewardship in their areas. These meetings are held in each of these regions: Eastern, Central and Western/Northern/Labrador, outside of the larger urban municipalities. |
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The Western/Northern/Labrador Regional Meeting will be hosted by
the Town of Pasadena on Monday, October 27th.
The Eastern Regional Meeting will be hosted by
the Town of Harbour Grace on Tuesday, November 4th.
The Central Regional Meeting will be hosted by
the Town of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity on Friday, November 7th. |
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Invitations were sent to Member Municipalities and Partner Organizations earlier this week - please email samconservation@gmail.com if you did not receive your invitation. |
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Canadian Protected and
Conserved Areas Database |
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SAM has been working to recognize municipal leadership in conservation in our province. Our member communities have shown that they are leaders in habitat conservation and are stewards to some of the province’s most diverse and unique habitats. The aim is to recognize these areas nationally - where they can contribute to Canada’s goal of conserving 30% of Canada’s land and water by 2030. |
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Recently two of our SAM Conservation Areas were approved and added to CPCAD: Congratulations to the Town of Deer Lake for recognizing Junction Brook Bog (320 ha) and the Town of Winterland for recognizing the Ecomuseum (442 ha). |
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Town of Deer Lake - Junction Brook Bog (320 ha)
Town of Winterland - Ecomuseum (442 ha) |
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SAM Environmental Stewardship Award
Student Scholarship Winners |
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SAM would like to once again congratulate our 2025 SAM Student Scholarship Winners! |
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One pillar of the SAM Environmental Stewardship Award is the Student Scholarship - used to recognize students who have gone above and beyond in their community to support wildlife habitat stewardship, demonstrating an active commitment to conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador through their studies or in their free time. First awarded in 2015, this award is a $1000 scholarship awarded to a student either from or studying in Newfoundland and Labrador whose interests, activities and post-secondary goals are focused on the conservation of habitat in this province. |
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 | Presenting the 2025 SAM Student Scholarship:
Left: Executive Director Zach presents Samiran with her scholarship
Right: Outreach Coordinator Karleena and Chair of the Board Heidi (Town of Bauline) present Logan with his scholarship |
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Applications for the 2026 Student Scholarship are due by May 1st, 2026. |
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This summer, SAM partnered with the Town of Torbay to hire a Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador Green Team to lead the Ponds of Torbay initiative. This campaign focused on educating residents about the ecological and recreational value of local freshwater systems. They developed and shared social media content about six local ponds and drafted and installed interpretation panels at the Torbay Gully and Upper Three Corner Pond Conservation Areas. They also worked with the Torbay History House to research and present the history of Torbay’s stewardship efforts. Logan Slaney and Shannon Foley made up this year's two-person team. |
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In addition to research and communications, the team actively engaged with the public by hosting five Environmental Awareness Events, presenting to summer camps, and distributing educational materials. Hands-on stewardship efforts included planting trees, conducting species surveys, and monitoring coastal erosion data at Torbay Beach. These actions contributed to maintaining and enhancing Torbay's natural spaces, while fostering a stronger culture of environmental responsibility within the community. They concluded their efforts by presenting their progress to the Town of Torbay's Municipal Council. Congratulations on an awesome summer Logan and Shannon! |
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Spirit of Newfoundlanders |
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The summer of 2025 was unseasonably warm and dry - a season pockmarked with wildfires too close to communities for comfort. One such fire was the one that occurred in the Town of Musgrave Harbour, which sparked to life late on July 19th and caused an evacuation order to be issued to those living in the coastal community early the next day. |
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 | | Musgrave Harbour Wildfire |
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During the evacuation the Carmanville Wetlands Interpretation Centre served as a stopover for those trying to figure out where to go next - the nearly steady procession of vehicles leaving Musgrave Harbour, would pass the Interpretation Centre on their way to Gander, Carmanville, and other nearby communities with open public centres or available areas to park. Many of the vehicles were hauling trailers with ATV’s or boats, trying to get everything out that they could as they didn’t know what would be left of their homes and community when they would eventually came back. |
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Quite a few vehicles and campers pulled into the Interpretation Centre's parking lot - some residents waited out the day, giving their pets a chance to stretch their legs and hoping for more news. The Interpretation Centre opened up their canteen and offered free water, coffee, biscuits, and BBQ. They kept the centre open the entire day so that evacuees could avail of the refreshments, air conditioning, washroom facilities, and Wifi if they needed it. By evening, a few evacuees still remained without a place to stay - the Centre provided lodging and comfortable sleeping arrangements were set up. These evacuees ended up staying for five days until the evacuation order was lifted - five people and six dogs, were given a home away from home. |
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Hayward Morgan (Town Councilor, member of the Town of Carmanville’s Habitat Committee, and a member of SAM’s Board of Directors) was a great aid to the centre throughout the evacuation, and, as he said: “ They’re our neighbours. It just as easily could have been us in that situation, and we’d have hoped for the same kindness to be shown to us. That’s the spirit of Newfoundlanders.” |
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Incidentally, the Interpretation Centre doesn't just boast displays regarding local wetlands and ecosystems - but also a couple of displays on the “Bonavista North Fire” which spread through the Carmanville area in the summer of 1961 and had devastating consequences on local forestry, habitat, and the town. The evacuees thought it coincidental, commenting how strange it seemed to be sheltering in a centre attempting to educate visitors about wildfires. |
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On July 25th, with the Musgrave Harbour wildfire was stabilized and classed as "under control", and the evacuation order was lifted. Bethany recounts that the Musgrave Harbour residents were sitting in the back room when one of them saw the announcement, and she could hear them cheering in relief and joy all the way from her office. It’s a scene she will never forget. |
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During those five days the whole community of Carmanville came together in aid of their neighbours: businesses and residents offering places to stay and parking spaces for campers, the Recreation Centre offered refreshments and Wifi, people dropped off meals and baked goods to those staying at temporary lodgings, the local volunteer fire department were on standby in case their assistance was needed, and countless other small acts of kindness and consideration. Bethany feels immense pride in working for the Town - to be part of a community that so faithfully embodies the giving, hospitable spirit which Newfoundland is renowned for. |
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 | Water Bomber collecting water to fight the Musgrave Harbour Wildfire
(Image Credit: Peter Barfoot) |
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As for the residents of Musgrave Harbour - they showed incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming uncertainty and fear. Thanks to the efforts of all those involved in fire suppression efforts, they returned home to their community without a single residence lost. To all of those who have been affected by the wildfires burning throughout our province: just know that the rest of the province is here if you need us, as that is the spirit of Newfoundlanders. |
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Below are some upcoming events that you, your municipality, or your organization may be interested in attending... |
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"Cache Me In Nature" - Cache In, Trash Out |
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As more and more people use the Voisey's Brook Trail throughout the summer, more and more garbage has been found along the trails. Let's give back to Nature on this World Clean Up Day and do our best to make the trails beautiful once more! Following the event there will be a social with snacks and refreshments in the hut! |
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CITO is an environmental initiative supported by the geocaching community. At CITO events, geocachers and community groups work together to improve parks and other outdoor environments. There are quite a few Geocache's to find along the trail, including some newly placed one, so come join the worldwide treasure hunt and give back to the Town of PCSP! |
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Intervale Associates CNPP Conference |
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 October 28th-30th, 2025  Dhoon Lodge, situated by the Harry’s River in Black Duck Siding |
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Save the Date! Previously known as the ENGO Conference, this annual gathering returns as ENGO Summit NL, a name that better reflects our focus on collaboration and collective action. This year our theme is “Forging Shared Paths” to highlight our commitment to building capacity and finding innovative solutions for the environment and our communities. We aim to bring together ENGOs from across the province, along with partners and others dedicated to conservation and community well-being, to: - Connect and strengthen relationships
- Share knowledge and best practices
- Explore new ways to work together on shared challenges
Please save the date and stay tuned for additional details in the coming weeks, including the full agenda and registration link, which will be available soon on the website. |
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Species of importance found within SAM’s Conservation Areas |
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The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is a small shorebird that is found throughout eastern North America. While they are classified as a shorebird, they spend most of their time upland on the ground in wooded or shrubby areas, usually near open fields, where their brown, black and grey plumage provides excellent camouflage. They have a plump body, short legs, a large, rounded head, and a long, straight prehensile bill. Adults are typically 10 to 12 inches, and females are considerably larger than the males. |
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The woodcock uses its long, prehensile bill to probe into the soil for food, such as invertebrates and especially earthworms. In their bill they have a unique bone-and-muscle arrangement which lets them open and close the tip of its upper bill (mandible), while it is sunk into the ground. Both the underside of the upper mandible and the long tongue are rough-surfaced for grasping slippery prey. Their eyes are large and positioned high and near the back of their skull. This allows them to keep watch for danger in the sky while they have their heads down probing in the soil for food. |
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These birds are fairly common throughout eastern North America, but secretive and rarely seen well in daytime. Always on the ground, except during well-known elaborate courtship display performed from dusk to dawn in spring. Woodcock are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Their calls are quite unique as well - a loud nasal “ PEENT!” call from the ground, and high-pitched chirps and twitters (produced by the outer wing feathers) from high in the sky. Occasionally they perform a rocking behavior where they will walk slowly while rhythmically rocking their bodies back and forth. |
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During the early and mid-20th century, the woodcock population remained high as people abandoned family farms to move to urban area, and crop fields and pastures grew to brush. In the later 20th and early 21st century, those brushy acres became middle-aged and older forests, where woodcock rarely venture, or they have become developed. Globally, the woodcock is not considered threatened, as it is more tolerant of deforestation. But the population of the American woodcock has seen a decline by an average of slightly more than 1% annually since the 1960s. Many attribute this decline to a loss of habitat caused by forest maturation and urban development. |
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This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and stewardship in the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture. The American woodcock has been sighted across the province, both on the island and in Labrador, but their northern distribution in Labrador is likely limited by the extent of forested habitat.. Reports of sightings in Labrador include Forteau and Red Bay, and across the island in the municipalities of Corner Brook, Steady Brook, Pasadena, York Harbour, Stephenville Crossing, Burgeo, Springdale, and Winterland. |
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Did you know? You can follow SAM on Social Media! Check us out on Facebook and Instagram @ SAM_Stewardship |
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2025 Stewardship AnniversariesWe would like to recognize some significant
Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement signing anniversaries.
Congratulations and we look forward to many more years of
conservation and stewardship!
30 years since signed (1995)
Carmanville
Come By Chance
Stephenville Crossing
20 years since signed (2005)
Labrador City
Wabush
15 years since signed (2010)
Burgeo
Cartwright (Table Bay)
10 years since signed (2015)
Bauline
Portugal Cove-St. Philips |
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Do you have a conservation story you would like to see featured in a future newsletter? Send an email with the details to
samengagement995@gmail.com! |
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