Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

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Farms with livestock operations should fence around all water sources and wetlands, and establish a watering station away from the natural water source. This is beneficial to both livestock health and the environment. Livestock trample vegetation and compact the soil, which alters riparian habitat, increases erosion, and impacts fish habitat and water quality. Fencing will reduce the amount of manure and urine entering waterways and can make livestock less susceptible to mastitis and foot-rot. Solar and wind watering systems are available. Contact the Soil and Crop Improvement Association of Nova Scotia for information on alternative livestock watering systems: www.scians.org, 902-758-3530. Avoid in-stream livestock crossings. In-stream crossings cause erosion, decrease water quality, and destroy wildlife habitat. Alternative types of crossings including round culverts, arch culverts, and bridges. A Watercourse Alteration Permit from Nova Scotia Environment (Appendix C) is required before building an agricultural stream crossing. Store manure well away from the water in such a way that runoff is contained and infiltration is reduced. Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora species are adapted to harsh, low nutrient environments. Overland runoff can increase the level of nutrients present in these habitats and make them more suitable for common, aggressive plant species. Vegetated riparian zones and reduced fertilizer and manure use can help decrease the release of nutrients into our water bodies. Please contact the Department of Agriculture (902-679-6006) for information about manure storage. Plant cover crops over the winter if your soil is bare. Cover crops reduce erosion, enrich the soil, and can attract beneficial insects to your property. If planting before August, legumes such as sweet clover and white clover are beneficial cover crops as they fix nitrogen and provide habitat and food for beneficial insects. If you are planting late in the season, winter rye is a good choice. Set disc mower blades higher than 10 cm and use a flushing bar when harvesting hay or cutting grass by roadsides to avoid contact with turtles, birds, and other wildlife. Setting your disc mower blades higher than 10 cm reduces blade contact with turtles, bird nests, and small mammals without having a substantial impact on the hay harvest. Mowing higher reduces blade wear, water runoff and can improve yields by increasing soil moisture levels. A flushing bar on the front of the tractor during hay harvest or roadside cutting will reduce contact with birds, deer and other wildlife. Contact Ducks Unlimited (902-667-8726) if you are interested in obtaining a flushing bar. Vegetated Riparian Zones • Are areas of rich biodiversity and provide a variety of wildlife habitats. • Filter overland runoff including sediments, pesticides, and nutrients before they enter the water. • Reduce the amount and severity of flooding. • Create important feeding and hiding places and improve water temperature for aquatic species. • Is an easy and inexpensive way to stabilize stream banks, maintain biodiversity, and reduce erosion, eliminating the need for mechanical bank stabilization. Clean Annapolis River Project Riparian Habitat Restoration and Stewardship Program Clean Annapolis River Project works in the Annapolis River Watershed to restore and protect the ecological health of the watershed through science, leadership, and community engagement. They work with landowners to enhance and protect riparian habitat by fencing livestock out of riparian zones, providing alternate sources of drinking water, installing stream crossings, and re-establishing vegetation by planting trees and shrubs. For more information call 902-532-7533 or 1-888-547-4344, email carp@annapolisriver.ca, or visit www.annapolisriver.ca. 44
Resources: Water on the Farm: Beneficial Management Practices Around Surface Water Tips on how to reduce the impact of agricultural activities on surface water. To obtain a free copy or for other information please call the Department of Agriculture at 902-679-6021. Nova Scotia Farm Investment Fund www.gov.ns.ca/agri/prm You may be eligible to apply for funding to help incorporate beneficial management practices on your farm. Call the Department of Agriculture at 1-866-844-4276 or visit the above website for more information. Environmental Farm Plan Program www.nsfa-fane.ca/EFP This program evaluates current farm practices with one-on-one site visits and provides an environmental action plan that identifies environmental risks on your property. This program is free and confidential. For more information please refer to the website or call 902-893-2293. Beneficial Management Practices for Riparian Zones in Atlantic Canada www.islandnaturetrust.ca Written by the Island Nature Trust. Provides information on ways to maintain or create a healthy riparian zone. Download an electronic copy from the website above or call 902-566- 9150 to request a free hard copy. Nova Scotia Riparian Health Assessment User Guide www.extensioncentral.com A step-by-step guide on how to assess the health of your riparian zone using a GPS unit. Contact the Department of Agriculture (902-679-6021) for a free copy. Nova Scotia’s Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) EHJV was formed in 1989 with the purpose of reducing and/or reversing wetland loss through community-based stewardship efforts with individual landowners and through partnerships. Participate in the Agriculture Biodiversity Plan to receive a free personalized site visit and voluntary recommendations on ways to support biodiversity on your farm. For more information please contact the Stewardship Coordinator Reg Newell at 902-679-6145, newellrb@gov.ns.ca Globally Rare Species In Nova Scotia, the populations of Long’s Bulrush, New Jersey Rush, Plymouth Gentian, and Pink Coreopsis are some of the largest remaining and most intact worldwide. We have the opportunity to conserve these rare species not only for ourselves, but for the planet. The gathering or picking of wildflowers is a time-honoured pastime. Please ensure those you pick are not rare or at risk. The removal of a few flowers may threaten the entire Nova Scotia population. Photographing Long’s Bulrush M. Crowley M. Crowley M. Crowley R. Newell 45 Lake shoreline covered in Plymouth Gentian Plymouth Gentian New Jersey Rush
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 and 28: ESTUARIES Estuaries are coastal loc
Page 29 and 30: LAWN and GARDEN Sometimes what we c
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: AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES Agricultural
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

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