12-58: Bon Portage Island Conservation Campaign

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1 12-58: Bon Portage Island Conservation Campaign Project Type: Habitat Conservation Final Project Report to Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) for fiscal year 2011/2012 Prepared by: Peter Green Coastal Conservation Campaign Coordinator Nova Scotia Nature Trust 2085 Maitland Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3C4 Thursday, 15 March 2011

2 Table of Contents 1.0 Project Highlights Goals, Objectives, Activities & Results Participation Partners Communication Activities Financial Summary... not available 7.0 Appendices...11 a) Map And Description Of Project Location(s)...11 b) Project Images...12 c) Sample(s) Of Project Communications...13 Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 2

3 12-58: Bon Portage Island Conservation Campaign This report, including the appendices, should not exceed 10 pages in length. 1.0 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS a) Provide a short (250 word) description of the project: Over the course of this two year campaign, the Nature Trust is working in partnership with Acadia University to protect, forever, the 300 acre Bon Portage Island, one of Nova Scotia s most ecologically important coastal islands. This conservation easement will protect one of the province s highest priority migratory bird sanctuaries, and one of Nova Scotia s last, large undeveloped coastal islands. Moreover this conservation easement will protect Bon Portage Island s significant value as Acadia s premier ecological research and field education site, as well as its value as a treasured community resource. The risks to Bon Portage are significant and escalating. With increasing coastal development, and escalating property values, the risk of this asset being sold or developed to generate university revenues grows. This is an exciting opportunity to protect the island, with current University leadership focused on environmental stewardship, and in favour of the island s conservation. The project involves the completion of an in-depth baseline study of the island, collecting both ecological data and identification of potential management issues, to help guide the island s management. The baseline study is currently being completed. Building upon this study and the terms and conditions of the conservation easement, the Nature Trust and Acadia is working to develop a long-term stewardship plan for the island, to ensure its natural values are protected, forever. In addition to ongoing management by the Nature Trust s professional staff, the stewardship program will include active involvement of Acadia students and faculty in habitat monitoring and stewardship activities, along with recruitment and training of volunteers from the local community. Finally, the campaign includes a public education and outreach campaign designed to build greater awareness of and support for the protection of the island, and enhanced appreciation of the island s unique natural history. b) Provide a short (100 word) description of how the project addressed NAWMP conservation priorities. The project addressed NAWMP conservation priorities by permanently protecting critical bird habitat for a diversity of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and songbirds, and by initiating creation of a comprehensive baseline study and management plan to guide future stewardship of the habitat. Public education and community stewardship activities are engaging both local community and Acadia faculty and students in our stewardship efforts. The island s bird populations and habitats are nationally and even globally significant, as its designation as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International testifies. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, this area is an important stopping off point for migratory waterfowl and the surrounding IBA is designated for migratory birds. 2.0 GOALS, OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES & RESULTS a) Please fill in the chart below using point form: describe the project s goals, objectives, completed activities and results based on section 2.2 c) Project Description in the Grant Funding Application that was submitted to WHC. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 3

4 Goal Objective Completed Activity Result Results should be described in quantifiable terms, such as: # of acres of wetland/upland, # of landowners engaged, # of agreements signed, # of attendees, km of fencing installed, # of trees/shrubs planted, etc. Protect one of Nova Scotia s remaining, large undeveloped coastal islands supporting significant bird habitat. Ensure the longterm preservation of Bon Portage Island, and its spectacular natural values. Engage local community members in the project Protect Bon Portage Island, in perpetuity, as conservation lands through the signing of a conservation easement. Produce an indepth baseline report and develop and implement a management plan for Bon Portage Island The Nature Trust will involve nature enthusiasts and community members alike in this project by maintaining strong communication with the media as well as inviting the public to guided walks, presentations, community events and The Bon Portage Island committee, composed of Nature Trust, Acadia University and NS Dept. of Natural Resource staff is regularly meeting to develop and refine the terms and conditions of the conservation easement. Nature Trust Stewardship staff have undertaken the initial background work for the baseline report and management plan for Bon Portage Island. This work will inform necessary field work for summer 2012, and the completion of the baseline report and management plan to guide the long term care of Bon Portage Island. During the first year of this campaign, the Nature Trust has: Developed campaign promotional, educational and fundraising materials, including the special Bon Portage Island website ( e) (see attached) and educational brochure Created an educational campaign video ( tube.com/watch?v=mymehq3xvpi) The signing of the conservation easement in spring/summer 2012 will protect: 300 acres of at risk coastal habitats, 7000 metres of shoreline and over 25 acres of wetlands, habitat for breeding birds and many migrating shorebirds, songbirds, waterfowl and raptors. In conjunction with Acadia University and the Dept. of Natural Resources: Development of the first phase of the Bon Portage Island baseline report. Development of the first phase of the Bon Portage Island long term management plan. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 4 Through attendance at these various events the Nature Trust has directly engaged over 250 people Through our campaign materials and media coverage the Nature Trust has engaged over 1000 people Due to the uniqueness and significance of the campaign created important media coverage from local and provincial media outlets (CBC, Chronicle Herald, Eastlink).

5 Maintain and enhance education efforts on Bon Portage Island volunteer stewardship. Ensure that Acadia s unique educational and research opportunities provided on the island are maintained, and enhanced in partnership with the Nature Trust. as well as Eastlink TV documentary ( tube.com/watch?v=if49g4cdhk0 &feature=player _embedded) and extensive media coverage (enclosed) With Acadia, formally announced the new partnership between our two organizations at a well attended public event in September. Organized a rare opportunity for members of the public to visit Bon Portage Island to see firsthand the bird observatory, Leach s storm petrel, and experience hands-on field science. Hosted a hike and Bon Portage presentation to local residents in the community of Woods Harbour in Feb Easement drafted to protect rights of Acadia and Nature Trust to undertake ecological/wildlife research and education, in perpetuity Exploring opportunities for tying educational activities/research at Acadia into habitat stewardship of Bon Portage, sharing of dadta, and hosting of joint education events. Easement Draft completed b) List specific habitat products/results that were supported by WHC s contribution and include a brief explanation. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 5

6 WHC s contribution to the Bon Portage Island campaign will help ensure that this island will be protected, in perpetuity. WHC s contribution supported our educational events and activities and preliminary work to establish a baseline study and management plan for the island, as well as to initiate discussions with Acadia University and other partners about long-term partnership in stewardship of the islands and its important habitats. Direct habitat results include the permanent protection of a 300 acre island, including 25 acres of wetland habitat, as well as coastal coniferous forest, cobble beaches and numerous barachois ponds. WHC helped to protect an important nesting site (54 species including the province s largest breeding colony of Leach s Storm Petrels) and migratory stopover for countless species of shorebirds, songbirds, waterfowl and raptors, as well as the island s continued use as Acadia s premier ecological/wildlife research and field education site. c) Briefly describe new tools, landscape practices or protocols that were used in the project to conserve, enhance or restore wildlife habitat. In partnership with Acadia University, the Nova Scotia Nature Trust will protect Bon Portage Island through the use of a conservation easement. This relationship between Acadia and the Nature Trust represents the first instance in Canada of a university working with a land trust to protect its land through this method. Given the number of institutions in Canada, including universities, colleges and churches with significant land assets, this model for protecting high priority conservation lands could be used across the country. d) Briefly state the benefits to waterfowl, wetland-associated species, and migratory game birds as a result of this project. This conservation easement and the management plan, volunteer stewardship program and educational efforts will protect one of the province s highest priority migratory bird sanctuaries and one of Nova Scotia s last, large undeveloped coastal islands. Through the islands designation as an Important Bird Area, the island s bird populations and associated habitats are well recognized for their national and global importance. With the signing of this conservation easement, the 300 acre Bon Portage Island, including 25 acres of wetland will be protected, in perpetuity. e) List the species and estimate the number of all waterfowl, wetland-associated species and migratory birds that will benefit as a result of this project. Waterfowl (species) Waterfowl (number) Wetland Associated (species) Wetland Associated (number) Migratory Game Birds (species) Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 6 Migratory Game Birds (number) Common eider 50 breeding pairs Semi-palmated plover 800 individuals Fox sparrow 20 breeding pairs Black duck 30 breeding pairs plus 200 migrating Black bellied plover 50 individuals Leach s Storm Petrel 50,000 breeding pairs Mallard 10 breeding pairs plus Semi-palmated 1000 individuals Swainson s thrush 150 individuals 200 on migration sandpiper American Wigeon 150 individuals Least sandpiper 300 individuals American robin 1500 individuals Goldeneye 40 individuals Lesser yellowlegs 250 individuals Song sparrow 1000 individuals f) Update the following table, indicating the acres achieved through this project. Wetland Habitat (acres) Upland Habitat (acres) Total (acres) Conserved Enhanced Restored 0 0 0

7 Total g) Indicate if the habitat that was conserved, enhanced or restored will be used by waterfowl for migration, breeding or staging. Check all that apply. Migration Breeding Staging h) Relevance to habitat planning, decision making and/or management i. Upon completion, what are the project s direct and indirect influences on (wetland) habitat conservation, land and water planning, habitat management and use, etc.? Bon Portage Island supports a wide variety of undisturbed habitats, including wetland, coastal forests, barachois ponds, cobble beaches and bogs. Through this conservation easement and the stewardship plan and program associated with it, this variety of interconnected habitats that are used by a variety of birds, will be protected from development, forever. The model that this project provides, as the first easement of its kind and first partnership between a university and a land trust have great potential to positively influence planning and management in other jurisdictions. ii. What groups, agencies, individuals, governments, industries, etc. will benefit from the completion of this project and how? First, by securing this part of Nova Scotia s natural heritage Present and future Nova Scotians will continue to benefit from the conservation of Bon Portage Island. Through this unique, first of its kind conservation partnership between the Nature Trust and Acadia University the land trust community across the country will have another yet another mechanism for protecting land. Acadia University will continue to benefit from having this research facility available, without the threat of the island being sold off for development. The island provides a unique community resource for research and wildlife education, and these research and educational values are protected, in perpetuity. All Nova Scotians benefit through the protection of yet another key part of Nova Scotia s natural legacy and with 85% of our coast in private ownership, the permanent protection of this diversity of coastal habitats and species is a significant contribution. iii) Did you encounter any challenges over the course of your project? If so, how were they resolved? Being the first of its kind in the country, the overall partnership with Acadia, the easement agreement, and concept for a baseline study and stewardship plan took significant time and effort due to the number of stakeholders involved. The offshore coastal nature of the island made for a very short field season which added a time challenge to our work. 3.0 PARTICIPATION a) Indicate how many landowners were engaged through the project. This campaign was focused on the protection of Bon Portage Island, owned by Acadia University. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 7

8 The outreach and education component of this project also indirectly engaged many other landowners, both in the local area and across the province. The project also involved members of the academic staff of the university, as well as a team of university students carrying out research on the island. Through the outreach and education component of this project, and habitat stewardship activities, countless other Nova Scotian residents were also engaged and will be engaged in future through this project. b) Provide a description of stewardship opportunities or other voluntary preventative measures (towards the conservation, enhancement or restoration of habitat) that were engaged or promoted within the scope of the project. The Nova Scotia Nature Trust has entered into a partnership with Acadia University to protect Bon Portage Island. This voluntary action, initiated by Acadia University and supported by the Nature Trust, creates permanent restrictions to activities on the island that may have negative impacts on the biology, ecology, and natural features of the island. These activities will be controlled through a conservation easement and monitoring and enforcement program. To create successful conservation initiatives the individuals involved first need an in depth understanding of the existing systems on the island as well as all potential threats. With this information the Nature Trust and Acadia can develop a long term management or stewardship plan for the island. Towards this goal the Nature Trust, with cooperation and support of Acadia, have undertaken an historical compilation of past activities and ecological surveys of Bon Portage. The Nature Trust has hired ecologist, Dr. Nick Hill to complete this background research. Dr. Hill will incorporate the information gathered during this initial phase into an ecological survey of the island to be completed during the summer of The Nature Trust will also be recruiting other reputable ecologists, biologists, geologists, ornithologists both from within Acadia and beyond, to survey the island and to provide input into the management plan for the island. Additionally, the Nature Trust is partnering with the Bird Society of NS to collect information from their annual survey of the island. The second component that will ensure protection of the island is through education and engagement of the local community and stakeholders who live and work around Bon Portage Island. On this front the Nature Trust has hosted and participated in several events on Bon Portage Island, in the local area, and in Halifax. Events included the Bon Portage trip offered by the Nature Trust in August2011, a guided walk and community presentation hosted in cooperation with the Barrington Municipality Recreation Department during winter 2012, and the official announcement of the Bon Portage Campaign and Acadia partnership in Halifax in September We also undertook outreach with media and achieved extensive coverage across the province on television, radio, print and webbased media, as well as producing both video and print educational materials, and we are creating educational signage for the island. Efforts to inform the public and engage the local community will continue in the summer of 2012 through several guided walks in the area and another educational trip to Bon Portage. For the ongoing stewardship and monitoring of the island the Nature Trust in partnership with Acadia and other community partners and volunteers will undertake annual monitoring of the island and associated stewardship activities. This monitoring and stewardship is a standard procedure for the Nature Trust on all their protected lands. As this project is a component of a new partnership with Acadia the Nature Trust will work with faculty and students to perform monitoring activities. We will Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 8

9 further take advantage of this partnership and use it as a teaching opportunity to educate students about land conservation in Nova Scotia. c) Provide the total number of participants/educators/volunteers that were involved in on-theground activities, hunter education initiatives, or other related project events. Also include a brief description of the type(s) of participant(s) (i.e. Students-age/grade, landowners, etc.) Number of Participants Type of Participants Number of Educators Total Participant Days Total Educator Days 200+ participants in this campaign to date Residents from the local area, Nature Trust members and supporters, 8 educators 3 days 24 days d) Access to hunters: Is access for migratory game bird hunting permitted upon completion of the project? Yes No 4.0 PARTNERS This section should list the partners that have provided cash and in-kind contributions to the project based on the budget presented in section Financial Summary of the Grant Funding Application that was submitted to WHC. These partners should also be included in section Financial Summary of this report. Project Partner Acadia University Legal, survey, appraisal professionals Nova Scotia Dept. of Natural Resources NSNT Volunteers Habitat Conservation Fund, MacLean Foundation, EJLB Foundation Partner s Role(s)/Activity(ies) in the Project Conservation easement, support in launching public education/ outreach activities carried out during project timeframe. Technical support for project planning, easement drafting, baseline study and stewardship plan. Securement of easement Technical support for project planning, easement drafting, baseline study and stewardship plan Stewardship and monitoring Project funding 5.0 COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES a) Summarize to whom, how, and when the project results and achievements will be communicated. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 9

10 From the start of the Bon Portage Island campaign the Nature Trust has actively promoted the project, and the importance of protecting this island. The projects results have been communicated on an ongoing basis through the Nature Trust s website, Facebook, e-news and newsletter. We have achieved extensive media coverage about the project, and produced a video which is hosted on our YouTube channel as well as Acadia s. Acadia has promoted the project through their own website and publications. We have hosted several public events that have included a major component of outreach and communication. These outreach and communication efforts will continue in year 2 of the project. b) How will WHC s contribution to the project be publicly acknowledged and recognized? (e.g. website, brochure, meeting, workshop, newspaper article, presentation, etc.). Wildlife Habitat Canada s contribution to the Bon Portage Island campaign has been and will continue to be recognized through our various promotional, educational and fundraising campaign materials (see enclosed brochure), on our website (nsnt.ca/bonportage), during public events, and in all relevant press releases and media interviews related to Bon Portage Island. c) Provide a sample of project communication products in section Appendices of this report. See attached for a sample of communication products and media coverage. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 10

11 7.0 APPENDICES a) Map and Description of Project Location(s) Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 11

Bon Portage is located in Shelburne County, off Nova Scotia s southernmost shore, about ten kilometres from Cape Sable. It is the outermost of three islands associated with Shag Harbour.

12 Bon Portage is located in Shelburne County, off Nova Scotia s southernmost shore, about ten kilometres from Cape Sable. It is the outermost of three islands associated with Shag Harbour. Because the island lies only 360 kilometres due east of Portland, Maine, it serves as a staging ground for birds migrating both north and south along the eastern flyway. The island also lies in the pathway of storms moving north from the Caribbean, before they swing seaward, the upper air currents carry numerous strays, which have found safe haven on the island's shores. The island is composed of 300 acres of undeveloped coastal habitats and is considered one of the most ecologically important islands in Nova Scotia. Bon Portage has significant ecological value for its diversity of coastal habitats, from cobblestone barrier beach, beach ponds and a large intertidal lagoon, to bogs, fens, barrens, salt marsh and old-growth coastal forest. It supports a tremendous richness of coastal habitat diversity, and is one of the province s most important bird areas, supporting both a large range of breeding birds, and also being an essential migratory bird stopover for a diversity of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. Bon Portage also has important representation value for conservation. The Province has committed to a complete protected areas system, with representation of all 80 unique natural landscapes. Bon Portage is located in the Shelburne Headlands natural landscape, which is poorly represented. No coastal islands are protected at all. b) Project Images NSNT supporters visiting Bon Portage Island Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 12

the field trip to Bon Portage Island c) Sample(s) of Project

13 Nil D'Entremont, NSNT President and Darrell Youden (Acadia) signing MOU NSNT supporters learning about the Leach s Storm Petrels during the field trip to Bon Portage Island c) Sample(s) of Project Communications See attached. Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 13

14 Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 14

15 Final 2011/2012 Report to WHC for Project #12-58 Page 15

Report to Species at Risk Conservation Fund. Nova Scotia Nature Trust project - Hemeons Head Conservation Lands

Report to Species at Risk Conservation Fund Nova Scotia Nature Trust project - Hemeons Head Conservation Lands Photo credit: Alix d Entremont Final Report November 26, 2014 1 Project Goal and Objectives