SAM Newsletter #14 Winter 2018

Dr. Salehi takes us through his lab's research on Wetland Mapping in the province during World Wetlands Day 2018 #WorldWetlandsDay #KeepUrbanWetlands www.worldwetlandsday.org

World Wetlands Day 2018: Wetland Classification and Policy in NL On February 2nd SAM partnered with the Biology Graduate Student Union (BGSA) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to host a World Wetlands Day discussion panel entitled "Wetland Classification and Policy in Newfoundland and Labrador". World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd and it marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The Convention, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that "provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources".  This years theme was "Urban Wetlands making Cities Livable". Wetlands of global significance are designated Ramsar sites and protected under the Ramsar Convention. There are actually 37 Ramsar sites in Canada, and one in the province, The Grand Codroy Estuary. The afternoon started off with SAM and DUC talking about their role in wetland conservation and advocating for policy in the province. Dr. Salehi from C-Core and the Department of Applied Science and Engineering, then introduced his lab's work in creating an algorithm that will help predict wetland occurrence on the landscape using satellite imagery. Dr. Wiersma from the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science also spoke about her lab's work, on forested wetlands, lichens and mapping on a local scale. There was a lively discussion about forested wetlands, local wetland groups in the city of St. John's, and how a provincial wetland policy will support municipalities in conserving habitat against the pressure of development. The conversation continued after the presentations with a social mixer planned by the BGSA. Thank you to Dr. Salehi, Dr. Wiersma, the BGSA, DUC and all who attended our World Wetlands Day 2018 event! SAM Network News & Updates Shake off those winter blues and start planning your backyard oasis! Check out the latest update to the SAM Website resources section,  Enhance Backyard Habitat   2018 is the Year of the Bird! Sign up for the emails and each month receive one simple action you can take that will make a difference to birds around the world. Also keep checking in with our Facebook and follow us on twitter, @SAM_Stewardship to see more local ideas and actions!   SAM Conservation Scholarship 2018 Applications are now available! If you know a post-secondary student whose  interests, activities and post-secondary goals are focused on the conservation of habitat in this province, pass along the 2018 application! Deadline: May 2018   If you missed it on February 16th, you can still hear SAM and DUC on the morning show on CBC with Melissa Tobin as they take a Winter Wetland Walk to the beautiful Gambo Bog

Celebrating 10 Years of Stewardship: Hawke's Bay The Town of Hawke's Bay joined SAM in 2008 and has protected over 1600 acres within its municipal boundaries. The area has a high diversity of wildlife and waterfowl. Boasting both rich saltwater estuaries and freshwater wetlands, these areas have many species of waterfowl, songbirds, mammals, and fish. A popular destination for anglers, Hawke's Bay also has two natural attractions, The Torrent River Nature Park and the John Hogan Trail Boardwalk.  Congratulations on 10 years of Stewardship and thank you for making the preservation of our natural heritage a key part of life in Hawke's Bay! Here is to many more years of Stewardship!   Drop by and say Hello to SAM!: Community Outreach Events Spring 2018 We are on the move this spring attending 3 Community Outreach events in St. John's and surrounding areas! On March 22nd visit our booth at the Marine Institute for World Water Day. This annual event is free to the public! On April 21 join us in Portugal Cove-St. Phillips for their Earth Day Celebrations and on April 22nd join us at The Fluvarium  for another free Earth Day event!  Winter 2018 Stewardship: Gambo, Lewisporte, Grand Falls-Windsor, Centerville-Wareham-Trinity We were inspired to get out and enjoy winter when we visited 4 SAM towns this February. First we were able to partner with the Town of Gambo's Recreation Department to put off a Winter Wetland Walk (listen to our CBC interview!). Next we visited one of our new SAM members, the Town of Lewisporte as they work on some exciting stewardship initiatives with Ducks Unlimited and SAM. Finally, we were lucky enough to attend Grand Falls-Windsor's Winterlude Celebrations AND CWTs Winter Carnival Hike In Black's Brook. Keep up the great Winter Stewardship!

Copyright © 2018 Stewardship Association of Municipalities, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member of SAM, or because you subscribed on our website. Contact us:samstewardship@gmail.com Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list