Collaborative Conservation Planning
A core team has been established for the Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place, including Indigenous organizations, federal and provincial governments, institutions, and non-government organizations.
The team takes part in visioning, planning, implementing, and assessing the initiative, and works with many partners, knowledge holders, and interested people to develop and carry out actions in this Priority Place.
As a result of the efforts of this core team, a great deal of work has been accomplished, resulting in conservation actions that benefit Species at Risk and other biodiversity, such as migratory birds and species of importance to Indigenous peoples.
The Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre (AC CDC) compiles and provides objective data about biological diversity in Atlantic Canada, also undertaking fieldwork to further knowledge of the distribution and status of species and ecological communities of conservation concern. Their efforts are in support of conservation-related decision making, research and education and they support multiple Priority Place projects in Atlantic Canada.
Project Title:
Data Management in all Priority Places in Atlantic Region
Purpose:
To undertake data management (retention, compilation, dissemination); provide access to expertise on Species at Risk and ecology; prioritize species distribution modelling; and inform monitoring programs in the Atlantic Region.
Birds Canada is the country’s only national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Their mission is to drive action to increase the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of birds in Canada.
Project Title:
Strengthening the effectiveness of conservation actions and monitoring for priority conservation targets across Priority Places in the Atlantic Region (Bank Swallow in Wolastoq Priority Place)
Purpose: Align key decision-support for Species at Risk and migratory birds within a Conservation Standards framework to inform and strengthen evidence-based decision-making, and to increase effectiveness of monitoring and priority conservation actions across Priority Places and Priority Sectors in the region.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean, with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change.
The New Brunswick chapter, CPAWS NB, was established in 2004. CPAWS NB advocates for the effective, long-term protection of ecologically- and culturally-significant land, freshwater and ocean areas in New Brunswick. We achieve our mission through knowledge-based advocacy, and public education and engagement, underpinned by collaboration and partnership. We are committed to working as good neighbours and Treaty people on our shared responsibilities to the lands and waters, and to each other, to support our collective kinships with nature.
Project Title:
Protecting the resilience of the Wolastoq Priority Place in the context of bioregional wildlife habitat and connectivity
Purpose:
Undertake education and outreach to influence land manager/owner decisions that result in more conservation of intact or connected Wabanaki/Acadian Forest in the northern Wolastoq.
The Northwest Regional Service Commission (CSRNO) was established in 2013 to enable the needed collaboration and cooperation between municipalities, rural communities and local service districts (LSDs).
Thereby, they are better positioned to meet the service needs of residents and to benefit from collective efforts to build and sustain stronger regions.
The NWRSC provides solid waste and urban planning services to municipalities from Connors to Drummond, including Saint-Quentin.
Project Title:
Development of tools to assist land-use planning and application of knowledge for biodiversity conservation in the Wolastoq Priority Place
Purpose:
Development of a toolbox to support land-use planning and the integration of learning for the conservation of biodiversity and other environmental considerations in the Wolastoq Priority Place.
The Maliseet Nation Conservation Council (MNCC) is an Aboriginal organization established under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) AAROM program. It represents all six Maliseet First Nations (Madawaska, Tobique, Woodstock, Kingsclear, St. Mary’s, and Oromocto First Nations) in the province of New Brunswick. The MNCC was first established in 2004 to collaborate on the management of aquatic resources and increase Maliseet First Nation participation in watershed management within traditional territory, specifically the Wolastoq (Saint John River) watershed and Bay of Fundy.
One of the MNCC’s major conservation missions is the Species at Risk (SAR) program, which both gathers SAR data and builds stewardship capacity within its member communities. The program addresses vital issues pertaining to SAR at the trans-border watershed level. Over the past few years, MNCC has collected, processed, and preserved Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) of Maliseet First Nations (MFN) that are useful for SAR conservation.
Project Title:
Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place – Indigenous Integrated Conservation Action Implementation
Purpose:
To engage in a bi-lateral relationship with ECCC-CWS regarding the W/SJR PP Initiative whereby we are engaging with our communities that will provide input to inform that relationship. We will also seek to coordinate the overall Indigenous-led conservation work in the Wolastoq which will build on research best practices and Healthy Country Planning model.
The Nashwaak Watershed Association was established in 1995 as a not-for-profit organization. This organization engages the local community to help protect and restore healthy floodplains, forests and rivers in the Nashwaak Watershed through monitoring, education, and restoration work.
Project Title:
Conservation Planning and Action Implementation in the Nashwaak Watershed, within the Wolastoq/Saint John River Priority Place
Purpose:
To improve, manage and conserve important habitat in the forests, floodplains and riparian zones of the Nashwaak Watershed to the benefit of Species at Risk, and to collaborate and build partnerships in education, monitoring and project evaluation activities.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading national land conservation organization. A private, non-profit organization, we partner with individuals, corporations, foundations, Indigenous communities and other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect our most important natural treasures — the natural areas that sustain Canada’s plants and wildlife. We secure properties (through donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests in land) and manage them for the long term.
Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect more than 15 million hectares, coast to coast to coast.
For the Wolastoq Priority Place, NCC has partnered with Atlantic Coastal Action Program: Saint John and the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council.
Project Title:
Habitat based conservation action planning and implementation for Species at Risk in the Wolastoq/Saint John River Priority Place
Purpose:
To enable stewardship actions that improve forest, floodplain, and riparian ecosystem health; reduce threats to SAR through the promotion and implementation of habitat stewardship best practices of on private lands; and enable collaborative conservation planning, strategic and operational planning of restoration actions, providing expertise and organizational support to partners, and actions related to land securement.
For thirty years, ACAP Saint John has conducted successful in-school environmental education programs, summer camps, ecological inventories, water quality monitoring programs, habitat restorations, watercourse restorations, wetland enhancements, contaminated site remediation and engaged thousands of area residents in community environmental actions. Through this work, we have become the local knowledge hub on the environment in the Saint John region and often lend our expertise to other groups, stakeholders, and our community to restore and sustain our local watersheds and coastal areas.
Funded through Nature Conservancy of Canada Contribution Agreement
The New Brunswick Invasive Species Council (NBISC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to collaborative efforts with NGOs, government, industry, and recreational stakeholders to address invasive species in New Brunswick.
Funded through Nature Conservancy of Canada Contribution Agreement
Nature NB is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to celebrate, conserve and protect New Brunswick’s natural heritage, through education, networking and collaboration. Nature NB works to connect New Brunswickers to nature and represents over a dozen naturalist clubs and hundreds of members across the province.
Nature NB has a long history of working to advance the recovery and protection of Species at Risk (SAR) in New Brunswick. We work collaboratively with a variety of partners to educate, engage, and promote the stewardship of many at-risk species that call New Brunswick home. This includes our agroecosystem conservation work which brings together Indigenous, agricultural, conservation, and government partners to better protect Species at Risk on farms in the Wolastoq watershed
Project Title:
Advancing agro-ecosystem conservation in the Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place
Purpose:
The purpose of our project is to develop, implement, and monitor a collaborative SAR conservation plan for agricultural areas within the Wolastoq watershed. This work involves working to implement eight priority strategies that aim to benefit various habitats including woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, riparian areas, and others.
Our project vision is as follows:
Nutkihkeweyal ewikultitit psiw ote tama Wolastoq / Saint John River etoli pisicuwok ‘kiseltomakuniya ‘tolikonomoniya naka ‘tankeyutomoniya milikil kihkasikil naka elikok amoniw wiciw samaqanol, wicuhketomuhtit sakoli kisikil ‘ci Yuhtol Kiselsuwik naka eleyimok ekimqok milicpikok.
Agricultural communities throughout the Wolastoq / Saint John River watershed are empowered to cultivate and nurture a bounty of products and ecological services in harmony with natural systems, supporting resilient communities of Species at Risk and culturally important species.
Les communautés agricoles du bassin versant de la rivière Wolastoq et du fleuve Saint-Jean sont habilitées à cultiver et à soutenir une abondance de produits et de services écologiques en harmonie avec les systèmes naturels, en soutenant des communautés résilientes d’espèces en péril et espèces culturellement importantes.
The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is a charitable land conservation organization which focuses on conserving and stewarding private land and engaging New Brunswickers about the importance of protecting our province’s unique natural heritage and biodiversity.
Since 1987, they have conserved over 13,000 acres (5,260 hectares) of ecologically significant land in more than 83 beautiful and diverse nature preserves throughout the province.
New Brunswick is a bountiful province, with stunning landscapes and various ecosystems of forest, coastline, and waterways. They protect unique natural areas in New Brunswick, spectacular spaces of pristine, scenic beauty, some which shelter rare, endangered species of flora and fauna. It is the Nature Trust’s mandate to steward these lands while maintaining healthy ecosystems, biodiversity and preserving native species.
Project Title:
Improving land stewardship in the Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place
Purpose:
Develop and structure the Conservation Partner Program (CPP) to effectively engage with participants on the importance of Species at Risk (SAR)/target habitat stewardship through approved Stewardship Recommendations (SR). This will result in benefitting SAR habitat, target habitats, biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate mitigation functions on a landscape level through voluntary stewardship. This project will develop, share and monitor the implementation of SR while collaborating closely with partners running similar programs. Elements that will form part of this work include the CPP structure and process development, data recording, partner meetings, Appalachian Hardwood Forest Working Group Coordination, and the identification and protection of private land to support target and/or SAR habitats. This project will also support the work NB DNRED is doing on SAR conservation planning, best management practices and public outreach.
The Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development (DNRED) of New Brunswick is dedicated to maximizing the value of our resources for New Brunswick. DNRED oversees the sustainable development and stewardship of forests, minerals, energy, fish, and wildlife. The department’s responsibilities include regulating responsible resource extraction, energy initiatives, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring public access to natural areas. By fostering a sustainable future, DNRED supports economic prosperity and environmental resilience for generations to come.
The Minister of Natural Resources is responsible for the New Brunswick Species at Risk Act, which outlines the authorities and responsibilities related to the assessment, recovery, and legal protection of Species at Risk. This legislation is central to the conservation of biodiversity in the province and ensuring that vulnerable species receive the necessary support and protection.
Project Title:
Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place – Supporting and Coordinating Integrated Conservation Action Implementation
Purpose:
Engage partners in the Wolastoq/Saint John River Priority Place to advance the implementation of priority conservation actions that address key threats to conservation targets and Species at Risk, such as supporting ex-situ conservation efforts for the recovery of Furbish’s Lousewort, addressing turtle mortality associated with roads, and the production of climate vulnerability evaluations for riparian indicator species.
The New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN), established in 1991, is a communication network that links together over 99 non-profit environmental organizations.
The role of the NBEN is to improve communication and co-operation among environmental groups and between these groups, government and other sectors. The NBEN is not an advocacy group and does not take positions on any issue. Rather, the NBEN provides educational opportunities for its member and associate groups and encourages the growth of the environmental movement in New Brunswick.
The NBEN is governed by a Steering Committee that is elected by member groups, at the annual general meeting. The Steering Committee consists of eight representatives. Two representatives are chosen from each of the following groups: Youth, First Nations, Francophone and Anglophone.
Project Title:
Coordinating communications and collaborative networks in the Wolastoq Priority Place
Purpose:
Coordinating communications and collaborative networks in the Wolastoq Priority Place
SARM is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment and its natural resources, environmental education and awareness, recreational tourism development and local sustainable development.
Project title:
Implementation of conservation measures for wood turtles and bank swallows in the northwestern region of the Wolastoq priority site.
Purpose:
The objectives are to mitigate threats to Species at Risk populations and their habitats, improve habitat quality and inventory new populations and their potential habitats in northwestern New Brunswick, Madawaska County.
Strategies:
The main goals are to model potential habitat, locate new populations of wood turtles and bank swallows, and confirm the presence of populations along new water bodies identified as suitable. To inventory certain watercourses where their presence is known and has been evaluated for some time, in order to assess population fluctuations and integrate best practices for protecting the species into management plans, and to raise public awareness of the importance of Species at Risk.
WWF-Canada is the country’s largest international conservation organization. Guided by the best scientific analysis and Indigenous knowledge, we work to conserve Species at Risk, protect threatened habitats and address climate change. Our long-term vision is simple: to create a world where nature and people thrive.
Project Title:
Mobilizing recovery actions in support of the Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place
Purpose:
In priority degraded floodplain forests along the Wolastoq / Saint John River, this three-year project will implement habitat stewardship actions to improve forest and riparian ecosystem health, contributing to the recovery of nested Species at Risk. The Meduxnekeag River Association (MRA) and the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee (KWRC) will lead on-the-ground restoration and habitat improvement activities, leveraging WWF-Canada analyses (i.e. priority threat management, restoration potential analysis, carbon map) and expertise (i.e. carbon monitoring, seed collection/orchards). Capacity-building practitioner workshops, barrier analysis and restoration prioritization will advance habitat stewardship in the region, resulting in the reduction of threats (i.e. agriculture, forestry, climate) and the increase of stewardship and protection of private lands.
Strategies
All targets:
Wabanaki/Acadian Forest:
The Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore the Kennebecasis River Watershed back to a sustainable ecosystem.
Funded through World Wildlife Fund Contribution Agreement
Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC-CWS) is responsible for the conservation of migratory birds, the recovery of Species at Risk, and the protection of nationally-important habitat for wildlife. With a long-standing tradition of scientifically-driven conservation and environmental regulation in Canada, we are also committed to renewed Crown-Indigenous relations and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and integrating Indigenous knowledge in our decision-making.
Our vision is a society that lives and develops as part of nature that values the diversity of life and takes no more than what can be replenished so we can ensure a nurturing and dynamic world rich in biodiversity to future generations. Our mission is to achieve nature conservation outcomes for habitat, wildlife and their ecosystems, particularly migratory birds and Species at Risk.
In the Wolastoq/Saint John River Priority Place, the role of ECCC-CWS is to ensure that the overall initiative is integrated across relationships and partners with the common goal of ecosystem-based multi-species conservation of biodiversity and Species at Risk within the Wolastoq watershed.
Working together to conserve Species at Risk in the Wolastoq / Saint John River Priority Place