Making Childhood Green Again: Project Webfoot Wrap Up 2017

This is a guest post from DUC summer student Sarah Wilkins.

When a community takes the step to sign a municipal habitat stewardship agreement, it ensures that the next generation will have a healthy environment to enjoy, whether it be a walking trail, a fishing hole, a favourite berry picking spot, a community garden, or an outdoor classroom.

Critter dipping in Plum Point with students from Flower's Cove.

Having green spaces where children can learn and play is vital to their development and overall health. Kids who play outdoors are more physically active, more creative, less aggressive, show better concentration, and are more likely to be environmentally conscious adults. The National Wildlife Federation states that the most direct route to caring for the environment as an adult is participating in “wild nature activities” before the age of 11. Combining the outdoors with education for students is the number one mission of Project Webfoot.

In the last month, I have had the pleasure of meeting children across the province by delivering Project Webfoot field trips everywhere from St. Mary’s on the Avalon peninsula to Corner Brook on the west coast of the island. Project Webfoot is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s elementary school program which links specifically to the grade 4 curriculum. Field trips and in-class resources focus on the value of wetland habitat for both wildlife and people.

Plum Point.

In June 2017, Project Webfoot field trips were delivered by DUC staff to grade 4 students from four SAM member municipalities: Flower's Cove, Hawke's Bay, Deer Lake and Springdale. In addition, partner organizations delivered the program in Happy Valley - Goose Bay (for the first year ever, thanks to  Healthy Waters Labrador!), Grand Falls - Windsor (delivered by Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association), St. John's (delivered at the Fluvarium) and Indian Bay (delivered by staff at the Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation). The field trip program incorporates outdoor learning by showing kids how to use binoculars and a spotting scope, how to identify male and female birds, as well as finding and identifying the aquatic invertebrates that many birds call their lunch! Games are geared to teach children what a wetland is, how to differentiate the several types of wetlands in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the many values wetlands offer people, wildlife, and the environment.

Critter dipping at Corner Brook marsh.

Explaining a game in Corner Brook.

While leading these field trips, it is exciting to experience the students' enthusiasm to be outside, “spying” on birds or practicing bird songs, and it is inspiring to see their eagerness to share their knowledge on exoskeletons, plant adaptations, food chains, and animal camouflage. Witnessing their compassion for the environment and concern for habitat and associated population loss is always the highlight of each field trip for me, along with their unrestrained enthusiasm for learning new things, finding bugs in the waters they often walk by each day, and being able to identify those bugs and learn about their life cycles.

If you are interested in a wetland-themed presentation for a summer camp or a Girl Guide/Scout group in your area or have any other questions about Project Webfoot and Ducks Unlimited Canada, please contact Danielle, Emma or Sarah at the DUC office in St. John's at du_newfoundland@ducks.ca or 709-237-DUCK (3825).

Corner Brook Marsh.

February and March SAM Community Updates

Blast Hole Pond Management Unit in Portugal Cove St. Philip's Municipal Stewardship By the Numbers Here at the Stewardship Association of Municipalities we have been working hard on updating our maps of Management Units across the province. With the signing of agreements in Indian Bay and New-Wes-Valley, we’ve now reached over 41 000 acres (over 16 700 hectares) of protected wildlife habitat! Great things can be accomplished when we work together and we’re proud to have worked with so many of you in achieving this impressive result. Continue reading on our blog to learn more fun facts that we discovered while mapping management areas this winter. SAM Network News & Updates Save the date for the upcoming SAM AGM in Torbay on June 2-3. Invitees will be notified by email this week. Please register by Friday, May 19.

Nest Boxes: Carmanville SAM and Ducks Unlimited Canada staff partnered with the Carmanville Habitat Committee to install 8 nest boxes for cavity nesting ducks around Carmanville pond. Many of the boxes will be clearly visible from the pond's popular nature trail, and will provide excellent educational opportunities for staff and visitors to the Wetland Interpretation Centre. 20 Years of Stewardship: Torbay The Town of Torbay celebrated an important milestone in March: 20 years since they signed their municipal habitat stewardship agreement! Since then, they have proven themselves a leader in stewardship, by increasing the amount of land protected as management units in 2015, and hosting several SAM meetings (including the next AGM). Congratulations! Environment Fair: Portugal Cove - St. Philip's SAM staff participated in the 2nd annual PC-SP Environment Fair on Earth Day (April 22). Attendees were able to find out about local environmental projects and volunteer opportunities, and were given the opportunity to mark areas of environmental concern on a map of the municipality. Organizers estimate that about 200 people attended.

Newfoundland Marten Gaining Ground

This is a guest post from our partners at Intervale 

For more information, contact Eric Bennett, Newfoundland Marten Stewardship Coordinator, info@intervale.ca

The Newfoundland marten is a genetically and geographically distinct animal. Its numbers decreased during the 20th century due to habitat loss, trapping, and snaring. In 2000, it was classified as endangered. In 2007, the population had increased sufficiently and the Newfoundland marten was re-classified as threatened. Today, there are signs that indicate that there is an increase and that marten are returning to parts of their historic range on the Island of Newfoundland. The Newfoundland marten is gaining ground through stewardship!

Hair Snagging in Newfoundland

Over the years, many people from a variety of organizations have been contributing to the recovery of this animal. Since 2012, Intervale has been coordinating the work of 90 volunteers, who help establish the locations of marten across its forested habitat in Newfoundland.

The methodology was developed by researchers in the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Division. Marten are seldom seen, which is why an attraction method is needed. The technique is non-invasive and does not harm the animal. Volunteers collect hair samples by means of a wooden apparatus called a hair snag; it is shaped like a three-sided box and open at both ends. The device is fastened to a tree at chest height, baited with sardines, and made attractive to marten with the scent of skunk. If a marten visits the box, a tiny sample of its fur is left on sticky tabs that line the inside of the box. Volunteers monitor the boxes every 10-14 days, collect the hair samples, and send them to the Wildlife Division. Researchers test the samples for DNA, a process that enables them to confirm the presence of marten and to track individual animals.

In 2016, a total of 84 hair samples were collected, of which 41 are suspected to be marten. With new samples coming in week by week, the number is always changing. These samples will be sent for identification. From these data, researchers are able to identify from each sample representing marten, the sex of the animal, and whether it represents a new animal or one that has been sampled before. As more people become involved, the information will continue growing and wildlife biologists will be able to determine that marten are gaining ground and showing up in areas where there was once none.

Thanks to greatly improved land use planning, the adoption of best management practices by trappers, wildlife management, and public knowledge, marten distribution and abundance are increasing. However, continued support for marten recovery efforts are needed. Intervale is helping the Newfoundland Wildlife Division in this work through the continued efforts of staff and volunteers, and by encouraging the best management practices among forest users in general. For example, Intervale encourages the best practices among snowshoe hare snarers, instructing trappers on how to build and use floating mink box traps, giving presentations to youth and adults, and distributing informational materials such as placemats. These educational efforts contribute to fewer marten being accidentally caught in snares and traps. They also enable people to learn more about how they can contribute to recovery of marten.

Brass Wire Snares

Did you know that different types of 22-gauge brass wire outperform others?

Best practices:

• Don't kink it
• Don't reuse it
• Make slips in field
• Check snares daily
• Remove snares after season ends 

Movement of the Red Back Vole

The red back vole is one of the Newfoundland marten’s main food source. They are dispersing across Newfoundland and have been spotted as far as Brigus Junction in the east and as far north as Barr'd Harbour. It is believed that the quick increase in the population is one of several factors helping the marten population rebound.

How to get Involved

Intervale is currently looking for volunteers to participate in the hair snag program in the following areas:  South Branch, River of Ponds, Hawke’s Bay, Main Brook, Lewisport, Carmenville, Musgrave Harbour, Goobies, Badger, South Brook, Whitbourne and any of the surrounding areas. If you are a walker, hiker, outdoor enthusiasts, hunter, trapper, or just want to help the recovery of the Newfoundland Marten, e-mail us info@intervale.ca and we will get you started with all the supplies you will need for the season.

Municipal Stewardship by the Numbers

Here at the Stewardship Association of Municipalities we have been working hard on updating our maps of Management Units across the province. With the signing of agreements in Indian Bay and New-Wes-Valley, we’ve now reached over 41 000 acres (over 16 700 hectares) of protected wildlife habitat! Great things can be accomplished when we work together and we’re proud to have worked with so many of you in achieving this impressive result. We thought we’d share some other fun facts  that we discovered while mapping management areas this winter.

Limestone Barrens Species at Risk habitat in Port aux Choix 

• Average habitat area protected by a wetland Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement (there are 35): 1473 acres (596 hectares)

• Average habitat area protected by a Species at Risk Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement (there are 2): 17.4 acres (7 ha)

• Largest single Management Unit (MU) in the province: Goose River Bog in Happy Valley - Goose Bay, at 4295.5 acres (1738 ha)

• Largest single MU on the Island of Newfoundland: St. Georges River in Stephenville Crossing, at 3933 acres (1591.7 ha)

• Smallest single MU: MU D in Port au Choix (Species at Risk agreement for rare Limestone Barrens plants) at 1.4 acres (0.6 ha)

Management Unit in Wabush

•  Largest area protected by a single municipality: 5109.2 acres (2067 ha) in HV-GB (followed very closely by 5030 acres (2035 ha) in Wabush)

•  Smallest area protected by  a single municipality: 13 acres (5.3 ha) in Flower’s Cove (Species at Risk area for rare Limestone Barren habitat)

• There are currently 276 incorporated municipalities in the province; 37 (or 13.4%) have signed stewardship agreements and are SAM members.  

Mill Pond Management Unit, Whitbourne

• Most Management Units in a single municipality: Whitbourne (10)

• 1^st municipality: Whitbourne, 1993
• 37^th municipality: New-Wes-Valley, 2017
• 38^th municipality: To be determined!

If you ever have any questions or would like some updated maps of your stewardship areas, please don’t hesitate to contact samconservation@gmail.com – we are here to help. 

December and January SAM Community Updates

New-Wes-Valley signed a Habitat Stewardship Agreement on January 20, 2017.

The SAM community grew again this month when New-Wes-Valley signed a municipal habitat stewardship agreement and became our 37th member. The agreement designates two areas as protected Management Units: Business Pond (1,091 acres) and Queen's Meade (Newtown) (44 acres) for a total of 1,135 acres. Business Pond is an important community hub: the site of a recent art project from Bonavista North Museum & Gallery entitled REDress, and a popular boardwalk trail. Queen's Meade is becoming a birding hotspot, with 38 species sighted in 2015-2016, including the federally endangered Red Knot. The conservation of both of these areas demonstrates the Town's commitment to stewardship and the protection of habitat for wildlife and people. For more information about the Town of New-Wes-Valley and their stewardship agreement, visit their community profile on our website.

SAM Network News & Updates

• World Wetlands Day was February 2! This day marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, and is a celebration of the importance of wetlands around the world. The theme this year was Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction. We hope you took the opportunity to visit your local wetland, clean-up litter, or read up on these unique habitats. Ducks Unlimited Canada and SAM staff marked the day at Manuels River Interpretation Centre in Conception Bay South, with an afternoon of family activities.
• Applications for Nature NL's Wild Things Scholarship are due on March 20. This $1000 award celebrates residents of NL that are, or will be, enrolled in a post-secondary program, and who have shown an active commitment to the environment through their volunteer activities. Applications are also open for the SAM Conservation Scholarship; apply by May 1.

SAM Conservation Scholarship: Torbay
The second annual SAM Conservation Scholarship was presented to Mr. Willem Peters in Torbay in early December. Mayor Ralph Tapper and SAM President Linda Bailet presented the award to Mr. Peters. Willem is completing a Masters degree in Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. Applications for the 2017 SAM Conservation Scholarship are due on May 1.

Celebrating 30 years: Codroy Valley Conservation efforts in the Codroy Valley reach a big milestone this year. On May 27, 1987, the Grand Codroy Estuary became the first (and remains the only) wetland in NL to be classified as a Wetland of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention. Thirteen years before, in 1974, local residents came together to request a closure to hunting in the Estuary. The local community continues to be a driving force behind conservation and stewardship in the Valley. Green Team 2016: Come By Chance The Town of Come By Chance had a busy season with their Green Team in the summer of 2016. The Team was able to complete several beautification projects around the Come By Chance Estuary, including trail maintenance, litter removal and installing interpretive signage. After a successful season, the Town plans to re-apply for another Team in 2017. Applications for Green Teams are due February 24, apply here.

Species at Risk in SAM Communities

Endangered species in Canada are protected under the Species at Risk Act. The goal of this legislation is to protect species and their habitats that are endangered, or at risk of becoming endangered. Several municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador have taken steps to protect land within their municipal boundaries that is habitat for a listed species. Conservation plans in these communities highlight existing work or suggest future opportunities for stewardship and protection of these species.

Definitions

Endangered: A wildlife species facing imminent local or global extinction.

Threatened: A wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its local or global extinction.

Vulnerable: A wildlife species that has characteristics which make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.

Photo: NL Wildlife Division staff.

Piping Plover (Endangered)

The Piping Plover (Charadrius meolodus) is a small, sand-colored shorebird, with a black breast band, black band above its forehead, and a partially black tail. It has a white rump with an orange beak with a black tip. The Piping Plover winters along the Atlantic coast and the Caribbean but there is a breeding population in Newfoundland. Because they nest on the ground, they are very vulnerable to disturbance. Eggs can be destroyed by off-road vehicles, dogs, and pedestrians. Additionally, predation rates of mink and other animals have increased in recent years.

Every summer, the population of Piping Plovers in Newfoundland hovers around 36. They nest on the beaches in four SAM member communities: Burgeo, Port aux Basques, Grand Codroy Estuary, and Stephenville Crossing. Conservation plans in these communities incorporate stewardship initiatives to protect and increase the Plover population.

                 

Photo: NL Wildlife Division staff.

Harlequin Duck (Vulnerable)

The Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck. Males have a complex plumage pattern with the head and neck being dark slate blue, a large white crescent in front of the eye, a small round dot behind the eye, and a larger oval spot down the neck. A black crown stripe runs atop the head, with chestnut patches on either side. The body is mostly a lighter slate blue with chestnut colored sides. Females are far less colorful, with a brownish-grey body and patches of white behind, below, and in front of the eye. The Eastern Harlequin Duck is threatened by timber harvest and hydroelectric development in breeding habitats. In wintering locations, fishing nets, aquaculture development, disturbance, and oil spills are potential threats.

The population winters along the eastern seaboard and breed in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. SAM member communities such as Mary’s Harbour, Red Bay, St. Lawrence, and St. Lewis are areas where Harlequin Ducks are often spotted. While population levels seem to be increasing in wintering locations, the eastern population has still not reached a sustainable level.

The Limestone Barrens

The Limestone Barrens is an area along the western coast of the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, extending from Port au Choix to Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve. This area is extremely unique as it supports a very high percentage of rare plants. Of the 298 vascular plants considered rare in Newfoundland, 104 occur within the Barrens and 22 of these species are endemic to the area! The Limestone Barrens are of special significance and require management and protection. Port au Choix and Flower's Cove signed stewardship agreements to conserve this unique habitat and the rare species within. Many of the rare species found in these communities are at risk, such as Fernald’s Braya and Woolly Arnica.

Photo: Parks Canada.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/

Fernald’s Braya (Threatened)

Fernald’s Braya (Braya fernaldii) is a plant that grows only on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. It is remarkably well adapted to limestone soils and extreme winter cold. It has a deep taproot, fleshy leaves, and erect, flowering stalks up to 7 cm high. The fruit is an elongate, usually hairy capsule and the flowers are white/pink in color. Populations have been disturbed by human activity such as quarrying and road development. In addition, populations are limited by off-road vehicle activity, insects such as the diamondback moth, and various diseases.

Photo: A Digital Flora of Newfoundland and Labrador
http://digitalnaturalhistory.com/

Woolly Arnica (Endangered)

Woolly Arnica (Arnica angustifolia subsp. Tomentosa) is a member of the sunflower family and produces one single yellow flower per stem. It has long narrow leaves and the whole plant is covered with woolly hairs. They have become endangered as they have a limited ability to multiply or colonize new areas and have lost habitat due to climate change and disturbance such as off-road vehicle activity and quarry development.