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| Participants of the Valentine’s Bird Count in Bowring Park, in the City of St. John’s This event was hosted by SAM and Nature NL |
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Habitat Conservation:
New Towns and Expansions on Agreements |
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SAM is excited to announce that we have had two new municipalities join our organization - Congratulations and welcome to the Towns of Carbonear and Hughes Brook! Along with this incredible news, we are also excited to announce that one of our members has officially expanded their Conservation Agreement - Congratulations to the Town of Bauline! |
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| Neil’s Walking Trail along Island Pond Brook in the Town of Carbonear (Image Credit: LS Butt) |
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Carbonear is one of the oldest permanent settlements in Newfoundland and Labrador and among the earliest European settlements in North America, appearing on Portuguese maps as early as the late 1500s. The area supports a wide range of wildlife, including waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, and mammals. |
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The Town has established three Conservation Areas: Carbonear Water Supply, London Pond, and Island Pond Brook committing to conserving approximately 2,200 acres of important wildlife habitat. These wetland areas support the provincial Northern pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), and the vulnerable Blue-felt lichen (Degelia plumbea), while the inclusion of flood-prone areas within the agreement helps strengthen conservation and support flood-resilient planning. The Town also designates the 1.5 km long riparian area along Island Pond Brook, from below Columbus Drive to where it empties into Conception Bay as “The Ponds Stewardship Area” to highlight its environmental value to the community. |
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Hughes Brook, located to the Northeast of the City of Corner Brook in the Western Bay of Islands area, consistently promotes participating in the natural environment through recreational activities like snowmobiling, hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting. The Hughes Brook waterway defines the northwestern boundary of the town, producing beautiful scenery with natural habitat found in and surrounding the town, particularly along the brook. |
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The Hughes Brook Conservation Area encompasses some of the town’s most ecologically important wildlife habitats found within the Hughes Brook waterway, its riparian buffers and some nearby associated wetlands, including a small pond off Lindstone Road in the northern part of town. Conserving the riparian buffers surrounding the river will help ensure the health of the brook for Atlantic salmon and other aquatic species. Notably, at risk bird species have been found in the lower portion of the proposed area including Rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) and Olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi). Both species are considered vulnerable provincially (Endangered Species Act) and are considered species of special concern federally (Species at Risk Act). |
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The Town of Bauline’s initial agreement, signed in 2015, included four Conservation Areas: Rocky Pond, Pouch Cove Gully, Bakeapple Marsh, and Bauline Rocky Pond totaling approximately 185 acres. They have since amended their agreement to add three new Conservation Areas: Rogers Tilt Pond/Church Pond/Little Gully/Cove Pond, Rogers Gullies and the Shoreline, increasing the amount of conserved wildlife habitat to 837 acres. |
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Rogers Tilt Pond/Church Pond/Little Gully/Cove Pond (148 acres), located just south of Bauline, includes several small open-water ponds and large areas of intact old-growth forest. Nearby, Rogers Gullies (174 acres) is a dense, nutrient-rich mixed bog and fen wetland situated west of Duck Pond and east of Rogers Tilt Pond; protecting this area helps maintain ecosystem and watershed continuity across upstream and downstream habitats. Bauline has also established a Shoreline Conservation Area (336 acres) along nearly 6 km of steep coastal cliffs from the outflow of Crow Head Pond to Ore Head, supporting the preservation of this unique coastal habitat in partnership with the East Coast Trail Association, including the section that forms part of the White Horse Path. |
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2026 Habitat Conservation Workshop |
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Following the success of the 2025 inaugural NL Habitat Conservation Workshop, SAM is excited to once again host the workshop in the City of St. John’s from May 28th-29th, 2026. With the second of this workshop we hope to continue to build a strong and collaborative community of practice to discuss, review and advance action towards improved habitat management and conservation in NL. |
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2026 will focus on the successes and challenges associated with the conservation of Species at Risk and their habitats - looking for solutions and partnerships. This workshop is by invitation only, and is open to various levels of government, Indigenous organizations, ENGOs, industry representatives, and other habitat conservation practitioners. Invitations have been sent out, if you are interested in attending and did not receive an invitation, please email samconservation@gmail.com.
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Embracing Winter onNewfoundland's West Coast |
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Winter on Newfoundland’s west coast offers plenty of opportunities to get outside, connect with nature, and spend time in the community. Over the past few months, SAM’s West Coast Biologist, Natalie, has been fortunate to take part in several winter events that brought people together to learn, explore, and celebrate the season. |
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Participants of the Christmas Bird Count for Kids in the City of Corner Brook |
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Jess, a mom of two participants, shared a heartfelt message after the event: “I wanted to write and thank you SO much for putting on the bird count event yesterday. My sons came home SO excited about. It’s all they talked about out all afternoon and evening. They showed me pictures from the beautiful book you gave them and shared so many interesting facts they learned. They were so inspired. What a wonderful time they had - one they won’t soon forget!” |
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February brought two opportunities to get out and enjoy the snow in the Town of Pasadena. Natalie first joined the Pasadena Winter Carnival as a snowshoe guide along the Snowflake Loop at the Pasadena Ski & Nature Park. Community members of all ages joined the outing, and even Happy - the carnival mascot - stopped by for a visit! After the snowshoe, everyone gathered around the lodge’s woodstove for hot chocolate and warm conversation. |
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Later that month, Natalie returned to the Pasadena Ski & Nature Park for the annual “Tricky Tracks Snowshoe & Seek” event. Participants followed the trails searching for animal tracks to identify, while also learning about the lichen and fungi they encountered along the way and the important roles these species play in old-growth boreal forests.
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One participant, Terry, summed up the day perfectly: “We really learned so much this afternoon during the Tricky Tracks snowshoe at the Pasadena Ski & Nature Park! Natalie answered all our questions, from 4-year-olds to 70-year-olds; she was so pleasant. Thanks SAM for a wonderful winter activity.” |
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Participants of the Winterdale Days Community Snowshoe in the Town of Springdale |
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From birdwatching and citizen science discussions to snowy trail walks and unexpected wildlife encounters, these winter gatherings are a great reminder that the colder months are full of opportunities to connect - with nature and with one another. |
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The 2026 AGM will be May 29th-30th in the Town of Torbay! Our bi-annual business meetings are a great opportunity for representatives from our member municipalities, invited guests and our partner organizations to share conservation and stewardship success stories and challenges. The AGM is an opportunity for like-minded communities to showcase its involvement and implementation of your Habitat Conservation Agreement and in seeking to become a sustainable community. It is also a chance to become inspired by work being done in other municipalities and bring those ideas back to your community. As the AGM approaches, attendees will receive a detailed weekend itinerary and AGM Agenda. We hope to see you there! |
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Harry’s River Nature Reserve:Success in Conservation |
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Efforts to protect nature are often most successful when communities and partners work together, and that spirit of collaboration is at the heart of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Harrys River Partnership. Located near the town of Stephenville Crossing, this initiative helped establish the Harrys River Nature Reserve, protecting about 118 hectares of beautiful wetlands, forests, and river shoreline. The project is the result of cooperation between conservation groups, governments, foundations, and generous donors who share a common goal: ensuring this special landscape remains healthy and thriving for generations to come. |
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The reserve protects a section of the Harrys River, an important waterway that flows from Georges Lake to the St. George’s River estuary. These waters provide valuable habitat for wildlife, including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which depend on clean, connected rivers for spawning. The surrounding forests and wetlands also support species such as Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), the Newfoundland pine marten (Martes americana atrata), and a variety of birds including the Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) and the threatened Olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi). Protecting this landscape helps ensure these animals continue to find the food, shelter, and breeding grounds they need. |
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Beyond providing a safe haven for wildlife, the Harrys River Nature Reserve also supports the health of the surrounding environment. The wetlands and forests covering Harrys River Nature Reserve play an essential role in helping Stephenville Crossing and nearby communities adapt to climate change as they are natural filters for water, help reduce flooding, and store carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change. By keeping these ecosystems intact, the partnership helps strengthen the natural systems that nearby communities rely on every day. |
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Perhaps most inspiring is the way this project came together - the Harrys River Partnership is a reminder that meaningful conservation is possible when people unite around a shared vision. Through collaboration and care for the land, this initiative not only protects an important natural area but also celebrates the connection between communities and the landscapes that make Newfoundland and Labrador so special. |
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This project was made possible through the generous support of the Cahill Family Foundation, the Patten Family Foundation and private donors. In addition, this project was supported by the Government of Canada, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
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“We are very excited about this new project in the community of Stephenville Crossing. When the opportunity arose for NCC to pursue the creation of this new nature reserve, it was a natural decision to go for it. I am proud that we could build on the excellent work the town has done to steward the natural spaces that help to make this area special. We hope our work to establish this new nature reserve helps to amplify the conservation leadership the Town of Stephenville Crossing has shown and serve as an inspiration for other communities.”
– Piers Evans, NCC Program Director for Newfoundland and Labrador |
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SAM Student Scholarship Applications Open! |
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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. Students can nominate themselves or be nominated by a teacher, peer, community member, etc. The deadline to apply is May 1st, 2026. |
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2026 ENGO Summit - Save the Date! |
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Nature NL Wetland Photo Contest |
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To celebrate the wetlands in our province, Nature NL is launching their second annual wetland photo contest! Anyone can submit, but the photos must capture Newfoundland and Labrador wetlands! Enter to win prizes valued at $120, and a publication in their 2026 Wetland Calendar. Deadline to enter is March 31st, 2026. |
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Species of importance found within SAM’s Conservation Areas |
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The Common eider (Somateria mollissima) is a large sea duck found along the northern coasts of Europe, North America, and eastern Siberia. It breeds in Arctic and northern temperate regions, but winters farther south in coastal waters where large flocks can gather. The Common eider is the largest of the four eider species and is easily recognized by its bulky body and large, wedge-shaped bill. Males are striking, with black-and-white plumage and a pale green nape, while females are mottled brown and grey with distinctive black barring. Although females resemble those of other eider species, they can usually be identified by their size and head shape. |
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Two subspecies occur in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Northern race (borealis) breeds in Labrador, Ungava Bay, and the eastern Canadian Arctic, and winters off the north and east coasts of Newfoundland. The Southern race (dresseri) breeds from Hamilton Inlet in Labrador south to Maine, and winters along the south coasts of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the eastern United States. |
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The male’s display call is a haunting, almost human-like “ah-ooo,” while females produce a series of hoarse quacks. Common eiders feed primarily on marine invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs, with mussels being a favourite food. Mussels are swallowed whole, with shells later crushed in the gizzard. When feeding on crabs, eiders often remove the legs and claws before swallowing the body. |
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The species is also well known for its exceptionally insulating down. Female eiders line their nests with soft breast feathers to keep their eggs warm, creating what is known as eiderdown. For more than 1,000 years, people have harvested this down for use in bedding and clothing. In some places, particularly Iceland, “eider farmers” encourage nesting by providing small wooden shelters that mimic natural nest sites. Down can be collected sustainably after ducklings leave the nest without harming the birds, though today it is often replaced by goose down or synthetic materials. |
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Although Common eiders remain widespread in northern regions, they are less common farther south. They are most easily observed along rocky saltwater coasts in places such as southern Alaska, Atlantic Canada, and New England, especially near breakwaters, jetties, and bridges where mussels are abundant. |
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On the Island of Newfoundland, Southern Common eiders (dresseri) were once extremely numerous, but by the 1970's, the island’s breeding population was declined to an estimated 500 pairs. Northern Common eiders (borealis) were less severely affected, but have also experienced declines. As a result, the species has been identified as a priority for conservation and stewardship through the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV). Common eiders have been recorded throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including in many SAM member municipalities such as St. John's, Flatrock, Bay Roberts, Carbonear, Port Rexton, Bonavista, New-Wes-Valley, Lewisporte, Burgeo, Channel-Port aux Basques, St. George’s, Stephenville Crossing, York Harbour, Hawke's Bay, Port au Choix, Flower’s Cove, and Forteau. |
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The NL EHJV Coastal Habitat Conservation Program aims to raise awareness about the importance of coastal habitats and the wildlife they support. Sea ducks account for roughly one-third of North America’s waterfowl species, yet historically received little attention under the original North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) because their populations were believed to be stable. In reality, sea ducks have slower life histories than many other ducks - they live longer, begin breeding later, lay fewer eggs, and typically produce fewer ducklings each year. These traits make their populations slower to recover from declines. |
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Although some populations have improved, Common eiders still face pressures from predators, climate change, hunting, and increasing recreational activity in coastal areas. They nest primarily on offshore islands, where the absence of land-based predators provides safer breeding sites. Protecting these coastal habitats remains essential for supporting eider populations and helping them recover to historic levels. To date, Coastal Habitat Conservation Agreements have been signed in several communities, including: St Anthony (Hare Bay), Mary's Harbour, St Lewis, and Red Bay (St Peter’s Bay), Cartwright (Table Bay), and Burgeo (Burgeo Islands/Big Barasway). |
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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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