Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

More documents

Recommendations

Info

STEWARDSHIP STORIES: L’sitkuk Environmental Youth Group Snapshots M. Longmire Group shot at the eel weir T. Imlay Destiny and Jesse searching for Ribbonsnakes M. Longmire Kyle and Megan giving a school presentation on species at risk The Bear River L’sitkuk Environmental Youth Group was formed to involve and engage youth in environmental and cultural issues. Since its formation, the group has been involved in a number of species at risk projects. The youth group has been involved in Blanding’s Turtle tracking and hatchling emergence and Eastern Ribbonsnake surveys, at Kejimkujik and McGowan Lake. They interviewed Elders about the American Eel, a traditionally important species at risk, to determine where the eel historically and presently occurs. Using this information, they built two eel weirs to catch and release eel during the fall migration. These weirs allow the eel population to be monitored every year to observe population changes and trends. A couple of the youth group members have given presentations to schools in southwest Nova Scotia on the Mi’kmaw philosophy towards the earth and species at risk. Their passion and dedication is inspiring to everyone that they meet and work with. 22
LAWN and GARDEN Sometimes what we consider to be weeds and pests are what many wildlife species consider to be food and shelter. The substances used to remove pests and weeds can pollute the water sources we depend on and the habitats many wildlife species call home. There are ways to care for your lawn and garden that minimize impacts to the wildlife around us. Monarch Butterfly Plant native species and use local soils and fills. Native vegetation is naturally adapted, does not require fertilizers or pesticides, and is drought resistant. Planting native species around your property helps to maintain the natural biodiversity of the area, provides wildlife with food and shelter, and reduces the chances of introducing invasive alien species. Native flowers attract local butterfly and bird species in the summer and provide seeds and berries throughout the fall and winter. Ask for native plants at garden centers and confirm that they are genetically native to your area. Blanding’s Turtle Nest Cage Reduce or eliminate your lawn. Keep it well away from lakes and wetlands. Lake shoreline properties without lawns are your best bet. If you feel a lawn is necessary try to keep it on the side of the house away from the lake. If your lawn currently ends at the lake shoreline, try to encourage the growth of natural vegetation by leaving the grass uncut and allowing native vegetation to return. This will save time and money. If this sounds like a big task, start slowly and leave a couple meters each year to revert back to natural vegetation. Practice lawn care techniques that reduce water use and discourage weed growth. Grass that is cut to a height of 7-8 cm (3 inches) is less prone to pests, disease, and drought. Watering less often allows the top of the soil to dry out and will help prevent the growth of “weedy” plants. Limit or eliminate chemical fertilizer use. Instead, try using compost made from your kitchen scraps (in an animal proof compost bin). Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora species are found in low nutrient, high disturbance areas where other plant species cannot grow. The addition of nutrients shifts this balance and encourages the growth of plants that push out these species. Fertilizers increase the level of nitrogen and phosphorus in the environment and can create large, smelly algal blooms. This reduces the amount of light and available oxygen in the water and can choke out other aquatic plants and animals. It also makes activities such as swimming and boating unpleasant due to water discolouration and clogged boat motors - things we all want to avoid! 23
Page 1 and 2: Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomo
Page 3 and 4: STEWARDS IN ACTION Checking for hat
Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTS Getting Started 1
Page 7 and 8: GETTING STARTED This landowner stew
Page 9 and 10: SPECIES AT RISK Thread-leaved Sunde
Page 11 and 12: RESEARCH and STEWARDSHIP: Working T
Page 13 and 14: SENSITIVE HABITATS Blanding’s Tur
Page 15 and 16: BLANDING’S TURTLE HABITAT Timelin
Page 17 and 18: LAKE SHORELINE HABITAT M. Crowley P
Page 19 and 20: NEW JERSEY RUSH Found along the edg
Page 21 and 22: HOW YOU CAN HELP ON YOUR LAND The f
Page 23 and 24: Do not infill, rake, or mow your la
Page 25 and 26: STEWARDSHIP STORIES: The Turners Sn
Page 27: ESTUARIES Estuaries are coastal loc
Page 31 and 32: STEWARDSHIP STORIES: Carter Feltham
Page 33 and 34: Stay well away from the water when
Page 35 and 36: Avoid This Try This ON-SITE SEWAGE
Page 37 and 38: MOTORIZED VEHICLES Motorized vehicl
Page 39 and 40: MOTORIZED WATER VEHICLES: Drive at
Page 41 and 42: WILDLIFE and PETS We appreciate our
Page 43 and 44: INVASIVE FISH and PROHIBITED BAIT S
Page 45 and 46: FORESTRY PRACTICES Forestry practic
Page 47 and 48: NOVA SCOTIA WOODLOT OWNER OF THE YE
Page 49 and 50: AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES Agricultural
Page 51 and 52: Resources: Water on the Farm: Benef
Page 53 and 54: RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Humans are
Page 55 and 56: NSNT NSNT The Nova Scotia Nature Tr
Page 57 and 58: Eastern Ribbonsnake Thamnophis saur
Page 59 and 60: THREATENED M. Crowley S. Boates M.
Page 61 and 62: APPENDIX C: Contact Information Bla
Page 63 and 64: APPENDIX D: Permits and Development
Page 65 and 66: GLOSSARY Alien Species: Animals and
Page 67: Acknowledgements American Marten Ow

Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?