by: Reg Melanson
Fall 1993
In response to declining waterfowl numbers, Canada and the United States signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan in 1986. The goal is to increase the North American waterfowl population to the early 1970s levels through a series of habitat and research joint ventures. In eastern Canada, the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV) secures, maintains, and enhances wetland habitat. The Nova Scotia EHJV group is a partnership with the province, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service, Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the U.S. federal government, Ducks Unlimited Inc., and other American partners.
Wetland habitat (inland and salt) is protected and managed throughout the province by a variety of techniques. Habitat is secured through acquisition and stewardship agreements (NS Conservation, Vol.15, No. 3), and is enhanced by waterlevel management, vegetation control, and impoundment construction.
The Belleisle Marsh project, located about 10 km west of Bridgetown at Belleisle in Annapolis County, is being carried out under this program. The perception that wildlife needs are in direct conflict with agriculture uses must be addressed if we are to maintain and enhance wildlife populations and habitat. The Belleisle Marsh project is a wildlife/agriculture demonstration site that will address these concerns.
The extensive salt marshes along the Annapolis River were appealing to the French settlers in the early 1600s because they were fertile and easily made into dikes for agriculture purposes. These diked marshes were used mainly for hay in the early years, but by 1960 a causeway was built across the Annapolis River at Upper Granville. This causeway controlled the river's tidal fluctuations, which allowed for further draining of lands at Belleisle for agriculture production. The total amount of dikeland now is approximately 800 acres (320 hectares).
In 1990, several major landowners on the marsh approached the province and offered to sell their property. They felt it was no longer economically viable to work the land for agriculture and the land would be more valuable as wildlife habitat. About 5,500 acres (2 200 ha) of tidal wetland have been drained in the Annapolis Basin. The restoration of some dykelands at Belleisle provides much needed wetland habitat for waterfowl and a variety of other wildlife. To date, the province has bought 699 acres (279.6 ha) from the landowners.
Approximately one-third of the land will be returned to a wetland state to meet wildlife needs. An additional one-third of the land will be maintained to supply nesting and escape habitat. Three wetland compartments of 26, 54 and 56 acres (10.4, 21.6 and 22.4 ha) have been constructed. A 40-acre (16 ha) site is scheduled to be constructed for next spring and a fifth one in the fall of 1994. These wetlands will supply brood rearing habitat for a variety of waterfowl species. They will also meet the habitat requirements of other plant and animal species that depend on wetlands.
Rough cover management will supply nesting cover for many species of birds, such as waterfowl, raptures, owls, pheasants, and passerine birds. Many species of small mammals will also use these areas as their homes. These areas supply escape cover and wintering habitat for a host of wildlife species. Approximately 300 acres (120 ha) of the marsh are currently being managed for this purpose. Hay harvesting is restricted on another 203 acres (81.2 ha) until after July 1 to protect ground nesting birds.
One hundred and eighty-one acres (72.4 ha) are presently leased for agriculture purposes, with 21 acres (8.4 ha) used for corn and the remainder for hay. People who lease the land are obligated to manage up to 10 per cent of their land base as wildlife habitat. This could be land normally cultivated for cereal crops that will not be harvested, or rough cover management. The land may not necessarily be included in the parcel they have under agreement, but may be situated throughout the marsh.
The Belleisle area possesses high recreational potential and this resource will be managed to provide recreational opportunities to as many diversified user groups as possible. Uses will include, but not be restricted to, nature walks, hiking, trapping, and hunting. To maintain a quality hunt, regulations will be set up to control the number and location of waterfowl blinds. Access to the marsh will be restricted to travelling on foot or by canoe.
The marsh will lend itself to many other uses, such as ecotourism, historical values, serving as an outdoor classroom for local schools, and providing research opportunities. Two research projects are currently being conducted on Belleisle Marsh. One is managed and funded by the Department of Agriculture and deals with the control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.). The other project evaluates the impact creating wetland impoundments has on local and regional waterfowl populations, and the immediate impacts on local indigenous wildlife populations. This project is being carried out through the EHJV.
The Belleisle Marsh project is unique in Nova Scotia because it's trying to address the needs of both wildlife and people (recreational and commercial). It is an excellent example of what can be achieved through cooperative ventures involving government, the private sector, and community organizations.