Field trip a conservation eye-opener

BY NANCY KELLY

nkelly@kingscountyregister.ca

Novanewsnow.com

Two farms in Western Kings County have provided field-based learning experiences about Nova Scotia’s unique eco-systems.

It was part of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) Learning Institute’s new wildlife and biodiversity course hosted through Acadia University between July 4 and 11.

Leading scientists from Acadia University facilitated the new summer institute in cooperation with professors from the University of Lethbridge, the University of Quebec in Montreal, Memorial University, Lethbridge College and a secondary school teacher from Horton. The 10 participants enrolled came from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories. During the week-long program, they worked closely with local conservation experts at sites in the western part of the province.

Dr. Soren Bondrup-Nielsen, author and Acadia University professor of ecology and conservation biology, lead participants July 8 on an agriculture-focused day trip that began at the Look-off, north of Canning. “I took them there so they could get an appreciation for the diversity of the land in the Valley,” Bondrup-Nielsen said.

Beneficial management practices

The group then proceeded to Anthony Van Oostrum’s Grafton-area cattle farm to learn about the farmer’s efforts in riparian - or water - management. “Anthony has been involved in a pilot program that has helped him establish beneficial management practices, specifically about water course issues,” Bondrup-Nielson told the group of students.

In order to prevent harmful nutrients from going into the water system, Van Oostrum has fenced off riparian areas to prevent cattle from accessing water sources connected to the local drinking water system, built a bridge for cattle to cross a stream and built a pond near his barn to collect run-off from manure that would otherwise be absorbed into the land and the water system. “Anthony is definitely ahead of the curve with these practices,” said Bondrup-Nielsen.

To water his cattle, Van Oostrum has installed a windmill-driven pump, a moveable water tub powered by solar power and a permanent watering station in another area. “All of these watering stations have been designed to keep cattle away from the streams that are part of the tri-brook watershed.”

Education the best route

Unlike in the forestry sector, Bondrup-Nielsen says there are currently few regulations farms must follow with regard to water management. “But legislation is not the way to go; education is the best route,” he said.

As “managers of huge tracts of land” that produce goods for us, but also are home to plant and animal species that depend on water for existence, farmers need to learn how to integrate agriculture practices that will be a win-win for all. “It is critical for the health of his animals, which are his livelihood, and the surrounding ecosystem,” Bondrup-Nielsen said.

The group also visited Tim Lamb’s Somerset farm for more discussion.

CWL Learning Institute director Yves Jean took part in the week-long session, which included visits to Keji National Park, the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute in Bridgewater and Bay of Fundy mud flats. “Our mission is to promote interactive learning for educators of all levels relevant to wildlife and biodiversity science through unique hands-on experiences,” Jean said.

Program organizers were excited the first Summer Institute program drew participants from other parts of Canada. They will take what they learn back to their home communities and classrooms.

WEBLINKS:

www.cwf-fcf.org