SAM Newsletter #50: Summer 2026

 

Participants of the Caribou & Friends Festival at French Shore Academy in Port Saunders with students from Port au Choix and Hawke’s Bay 2026 Habitat Conservation Workshop The 2026 Habitat Conservation Workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from municipalities, Indigenous communities, government agencies, environmental organizations, academia, industry, and community groups from across NL. Building on the success of the inaugural workshop in 2025, this year's theme focused on Species at Risk Conservation, exploring both the successes and challenges associated with protecting some of the province's most vulnerable wildlife and plant species. Through presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities, participants shared knowledge, explored innovative conservation approaches, and strengthened partnerships across sectors. The two-day workshop featured presentations from a diverse range of speakers representing government, Indigenous organizations, environmental non-government organizations, academia, and conservation practitioners. Topics ranged from conservation of different Species a Risk including Atlantic Salmon, Newfoundland Marten, Polar Bears, Banded Killifish, and Boreal Woodland Caribou, to marine protected areas, species-at-risk recovery, private land conservation, Indigenous perspectives, and the creation of municipal protected areas. Together, these presentations highlighted the importance of collaboration, science-based decision making, and community stewardship in supporting conservation outcomes throughout NL. A highlight of the workshop was a field trip to the Town of Bauline, where participants celebrated the expansion of the municipality's Habitat Conservation Agreement and the addition of four new conservation areas. Attendees enjoyed a community celebration hosted by the Town, followed by a guided interpretive hike that showcased the ecological and cultural significance of the area and demonstrated the value of local leadership in conservation. Workshop feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants identified habitat loss and fragmentation, along with climate change, as the most significant threats facing species at risk in the province, while also expressing optimism for the future of species recovery and strong support for increased collaboration. More than 95% of respondents indicated they would be interested in attending future Habitat Conservation Workshops. SAM extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, planning committee members, the Town of Bauline, and the staff of the Capital Hotel for helping make the 2026 Habitat Conservation Workshop a success! SAM's Spring AGM Thank you to the Town of Torbay for hosting SAM's 2026 Spring AGM on May 30th. We would also like to thank everyone who attended the Meet & Greet held the evening before at the Capital Hotel, which provided an excellent opportunity for municipal representatives, partners, and guests to reconnect, share updates, and discuss ongoing conservation initiatives from across the province. We also enjoyed some wonderful food and some fun nature-themed trivia! Attendees of SAM’s 2026 Spring AGM in Torbay Our bi-annual meetings continue to be an important opportunity for representatives from member municipalities, invited guests, and partner organizations to come together to discuss conservation successes, challenges, and opportunities. These gatherings help strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration, and provide a forum for communities to learn from one another's experiences in habitat stewardship and environmental conservation. Attendees of SAM’s 2026 Spring AGM in Torbay Following the AGM, attendees enjoyed a visit to the Torbay History House, where they had the opportunity to learn more about the rich history and heritage of the community. We extend our sincere thanks to the Town of Torbay for their hospitality and for helping make the event a success, Lorina’s Restaurant for the delicious lunch, and Saint Nicholas Anglican Church for hosting us. We would also like to thank all municipal representatives and guests who attended and contributed to the discussions throughout the meeting. Your participation continues to strengthen SAM's network and supports our shared commitment to habitat conservation and stewardship across NL. SAM is pleased to welcome Frank Deering, Councilor for the Town of Bay Roberts, back to the Board of Directors. Frank previously served on the SAM Board from 2023 to 2025, and we are delighted to have him rejoin the team. Since becoming involved with SAM in 2021, Frank has been a strong supporter of habitat conservation and environmental stewardship. We look forward to working with him once again as we continue to advance conservation initiatives across NL. Welcome back, Frank! 2026 City of St. Johns Applause Awards SAM was honoured to be nominated for the City of St. John's 2026 Applause Award for Community Climate Change Leadership. The award recognizes organizations and individuals that demonstrate leadership in climate action through initiatives that enhance environmental resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainable communities. Karleena and Willem attending the City of St. John’s Applause Awards Gala While SAM was not selected as this year's recipient, we are grateful to have been recognized alongside two outstanding organizations doing important work in our community. Congratulations to Home Again Furniture Bank on receiving the award for their remarkable efforts to reduce waste, promote reuse, and support families in need through innovative circular economy solutions. We would also like to recognize fellow nominee econext for their leadership in advancing NL's green economy and fostering environmentally sustainable economic growth. SAM thanks the City of St. John’s for recognizing the many organizations and individuals working to build a more sustainable and resilient community. Environmental Damages Fund SAM is excited to share that we have been selected as a recipient of the Environment and Natural Resources in Canada Environmental Damages Fund (EDF)! The EDF turns environmental penalties into positive action by supporting projects that restore and protect nature. As part of a $4 million investment supporting 12 conservation and restoration projects across Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, SAM has received funding to support habitat restoration projects in three NL municipalities. Through this initiative, we will work with communities to identify, map, and restore important ecosystems and high-biodiversity wildlife habitats while promoting long-term environmental stewardship and conservation. We are grateful for this investment and look forward to working with our municipal partners to create lasting conservation benefits for wildlife, habitats, and communities across NL! Read the Announcement Here Urban Forestry Community Engagement Plan With thanks and support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), SAM is excited to  partner with the Town of Stephenville Crossing this year to develop an Urban Forestry Community Engagement Plan. The project will help strengthen the stewardship of forests and trees within the municipality while promoting public involvement in urban forest planning and management. This project is just beginning and will include field assessments/surveys of some forested spaces, public engagement activities, including surveys, meetings, and neighbourhood outreach, to identify priority areas for future tree planting and habitat enhancement. Look for upcoming outreach and engagement opportunities in the area! SAM is grateful to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for supporting this initiative. By working together with municipalities and residents, we can help ensure urban forests continue to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits for future generations. Welcome New SAM Employees! SAM is excited to welcome two new Conservation Technicians to the SAM team this summer to support upcoming stewardship, habitat restoration and conservation projects across NL! Please join us in welcoming Logan Slaney (east coast) and David Billard (west coast)! Logan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Ecology and Conservation) at Memorial University and brings experience in environmental stewardship, community engagement, and conservation initiatives through his work with Conservation Corps NL! David recently completed a degree in Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management and has worked with a variety of environmental and conservation-focused organizations. Growing up on Newfoundland's west coast, he developed a strong appreciation for nature that continues to inspire his work today. Over the coming months, Logan and David will be supporting habitat restoration, stewardship, and conservation projects in municipalities throughout the province. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the contributions they will make to conservation efforts across NL! Welcome to the team, Logan and David! Click Here to Learn More About SAM’s Board and Staff Newfoundland and Labrador Wetland Policy Working Group One of the key outcomes of the inaugural 2025 Habitat Conservation Workshop was the formation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Wetland Policy Working Group. During the workshop, which focused on provincial wetland management practices and policy, more than 75% of participants indicated that current approaches to wetland management and conservation in the province were insufficient to ensure the long-term sustainability of these important ecosystems. In response, workshop participants expressed strong interest in establishing a collaborative working group to explore opportunities for advancing wetland policy in NL. Attendees of the first hybrid meeting of the NL Wetland Policy Working Group Meeting in the Town of Flatrock Following the workshop, 48 individuals representing 22 organizations and interest groups joined the Working Group, with SAM serving as the coordinating secretariat. Since its formation, the group has met several times through a combination of virtual and hybrid meetings to review existing approaches to wetland management, discuss best practices from other jurisdictions, and identify key considerations for a comprehensive wetland policy framework tailored to NL. The Working Group's long-term goal is to develop a collective set of recommendations and best practices that can help guide the creation of a provincial wetland conservation and management policy. By bringing together representatives from government, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, environmental groups, industry, and other interested parties, the Working Group aims to foster collaboration and build consensus around the future management and protection of wetlands in NL. Get Involved with MarshWatch NL! Looking for a reason to spend more time outdoors this summer? MarshWatch NL offers an excellent opportunity to explore wetlands while contributing to important conservation research. Coordinated by Birds Canada, MarshWatch is a citizen science program that engages volunteers in monitoring bird and amphibian populations in wetlands throughout NL. American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) Participants of all experience levels are welcome. Volunteers visit a wetland site several times throughout the summer and record the birds and amphibians they observe. The information collected helps researchers track species populations, monitor wetland health, and better understand changes occurring within these important ecosystems. Training materials and species identification resources are available online, making it easy for new participants to get involved. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Wetlands provide critical habitat for wildlife while supporting biodiversity, water quality, flood mitigation, and climate resilience. Programs such as MarshWatch help build a greater understanding of these ecosystems and demonstrate how community members can play an active role in conservation. Learn More or Register as a Volunteer 2026 SAM Student Scholarship Winner! SAM is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 SAM Environmental Stewardship Award Student Scholarship - Liam French of St. John’s! First established in 2015, this $1,000 scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to wildlife habitat stewardship and environmental conservation in NL. Through their studies, volunteer efforts, community involvement, and leadership, these students are helping to build a more sustainable future for our province. Liam is a passionate environmental advocate from St. John’s whose connection to nature was shaped through time spent hiking the East Coast Trail, exploring Western Newfoundland, and working on local conservation projects with Conservation Corps NL. These experiences, along with his work as a summer student with the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, fostered a deep appreciation for the connections between communities, culture, and the environment. Liam recently graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Climate and Environment and will begin a Master’s in Geography at Carleton University in fall 2026. His graduate research will examine environmental impact and approval processes in Northern Canada in partnership with First Nations and Inuit organizations. Liam hopes to apply this knowledge to support conservation and climate adaptation efforts in NL while advancing more sustainable approaches to resource development. Congratulations Liam! Click Here to Learn More about the SAM Scholarship! 2026 ENGO Summit SAM was pleased to participate in the 2026 ENGO Summit NL, a gathering of environmental organizations, community groups, and conservation practitioners from across NL. Centered on the theme "Forging Shared Paths," the summit provided an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and explore collaborative solutions to environmental challenges facing our province. As part of the program, SAM delivered a Lunch & Learn presentation on “Net-Zero NL”, highlighting the important role municipalities, habitat conservation, and community stewardship can play in advancing climate action. SAM was also proud to serve on the summit's planning committee alongside Nature NL, Aquatic Conservation Initiative, Birds Canada, Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation, and The Fluvarium. The summit reinforced the value of collaboration and partnership in achieving conservation goals and building a more sustainable future for NL. SAM extends its thanks to everyone who participated, as well as the Arts Wellness Heritage Group Site in the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philips for hosting this year's event. Species Spotlight Species of importance found within SAM’s Conservation Areas The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), now commonly known as the American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus), is the largest forest hawk in North America and one of NL's most impressive birds of prey. Known for its broad wings, long tail, and striking red eyes in adulthood, the Goshawk is a powerful and agile hunter that is well adapted to navigating dense forests. Adults are slate-grey above with finely barred grey underparts and a distinctive white eyebrow stripe, while younger birds are brown with streaked underparts. American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) Goshawks are skilled hunters that feed primarily on forest birds and small mammals, including snowshoe hares, grouse, squirrels, and various songbirds. They are often difficult to observe, spending much of their time within mature conifer and mixed-wood forests. During the breeding season, Goshawks build large stick nests high in trees and may use the same nesting area for many years. They are fiercely protective of their nests and are known to aggressively defend their young from potential threats. American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) Historically, Goshawks were found throughout much of Newfoundland's forested landscape. By maintaining healthy forest ecosystems, we can help ensure that this impressive forest predator remains a part of NL's natural heritage for generations to come. American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) The American Goshawk is recognized as a priority Landbird species for conservation through the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV), which supports habitat conservation efforts for birds and other wildlife across eastern Canada. Conservation actions that benefit goshawks also support many other forest-dependent species, contributing to broader biodiversity conservation goals. American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) American Goshawks have been recorded throughout NL, particularly in mature coniferous and mixed-wood forests. Due to their secretive nature and preference for remote forest habitats, they are often present without being detected. SAM member municipalities with recorded sightings include Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. Anthony, Port au Choix, York Harbour, Springdale, Lewisporte, Gander, Gambo, St. Lawrence, Bay Roberts, and Portugal Cove-St. Philips. Continued stewardship of forest habitats by municipalities, landowners, industry, and conservation partners will play an important role in ensuring this remarkable bird of prey remains part of NL's natural heritage for generations to come. American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) Social Media Check us out on Facebook and Instagram @SAM_Stewardship        2026 Stewardship Anniversaries! We would like to recognize the Municipal Habitat Conservation Agreement signing anniversaries below! Congratulations and we look forward to many more years of conservation and stewardship! 25 Years (2001) Springdale Gambo 15 Years (2011) Deer Lake Steady Brook 10 Years (2016) Indian Bay 5 Years (2021) Main Brook St. George’s 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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