Queens environment benefits from Habitat grants

The fund is generated through the required purchase of a $3 wildlife-habitat stamp on all hunting licences sold in Nova Scotia. Eighteen projects have been approved because of $146,300 collected in the Habitat Conservation Fund this year, according to a Nova Scotia government press release.

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust and Nature Conservancy of Canada are the recipients this year on behalf of Queens County and the environment.

The Nova Scotia Nature Trust has been awarded $20,000 to help with legal and administrative costs associated with acquiring a donation of a parcel of “wetland habitat” along the Medway River and to establish a long-term stewardship program.

Duncan Bayne, Land Securement Coordinator for Nova Scotia Nature Trust, said, “The land is being gifted to us.” He said he cannot disclose the location until after negotiations with the private landowner are concluded.

The 60-acre parcel of land is home to Long’s bulrush, an endangered species.

Bayne said, “The plant species is exceptionally rare and one of a rare group of plants called the Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. There are about 90 species, and 11 are very rare and occur no-where else in Canada except southwest Nova Scotia.”

The Long’s bulrush is one of the 11.

He added generous and concerned landowners are essential in helping save endangered species and rare habitat because 75 per cent of the province is privately owned.

“We’re really grateful for the landowners who work with us to protect habitat. The Nature Trust is also extremely happy with the grant and the Habitat Conservation Fund. Without support from the fund, protecting habitat for rare species would be virtually impossible.”

Nature Conservancy of Canada Wildlife Biologist, John Wile said the organization is in the process of acquiring a 50-acre parcel of land on the western side of Port Joli Harbour that’s near the area’s migratory bird sanctuary.

“We’ve managed to secure a couple of those properties already; one was actually a donation from a local landowner. We’re hoping to purchase them as a buffer against development.”

He said the Port Joli Migratory Bird Sanctuary is used by thousands of geese and ducks as a wintering area. In addition, he said a number of shore bird species prefer undisturbed habitat for nesting.

He expects the deal will close by the end of June or early July. “It’s just scrub forest land but it creates a lovely buffer between the highway and bird sanctuary.”

The primary goal of the Habitat Conservation Fund is to assist with projects that protect and enhance wildlife habitats. Projects are funded up to 75 per cent on a cost-shared basis, to a maximum of $25,000 ($50,000 for land acquisition). To be considered, a project must fall into one of four categories: purchase of land for the benefit of wildlife, habitat improvement, wildlife habitat research, and related education programs.

Applications for the 2008 Habitat Conservation Fund can be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, between Dec. 1, 2007 and Jan. 31, 2008. Submission guidelines and application forms can be obtained from any Natural Resources office or from www.gov.ns.ca