Habitat Conservation Projects Approved

Natural Resources Minister Tim Olive has approved funding for eight wildlife conservation projects under the Habitat Conservation Fund. The money for the fund is generated through the required purchase of a $2 wildlife habitat stamp on all hunting licenses in Nova Scotia.

"This fund provides non-government organizations and individuals with opportunities to access financial support for work they are doing to sustain our wildlife and wildlife habitat," said Mr. Olive. "One hundred per cent of the funds collected are used for habitat conservation."

This is the program's third year and eight projects totaling $102,253 have been approved. The project applications were reviewed and recommended by an independent board of directors, consisting of members from hunting, naturalist and academic associations.

"The hunting community is supportive of this fund and the work that is carried out by the various groups and individuals," said Tony Rodgers, executive director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters. "These projects directly benefit the province's wildlife through on-the-ground work, research and education related to habitat."

The primary goal of the fund is to assist with programs that protect and enhance wildlife habitats. Projects may be funded up to 75 per cent or $25,000 on a cost-shared basis and must fall into one of four categories: purchase of land for the benefit of wildlife, habitat improvement, wildlife habitat research or related education programs.

Projects receiving funding for 2003 and their organizers are:

• Making Nova Scotia's Lakes Loon Friendly (Year 3), Bird Studies Canada
• Benefits and Risks of Agro-ecosystem Management to Grassland Birds in Nova Scotia (Year 2), Joseph Nocera
• Coastlines Natural History Column (Year 2), Ecology Action Centre
• Small Marsh Restoration, Ducks Unlimited Canada
• Ecology of Bats in Nova Scotia, Hugh Broders
• The Nova Scotia Herpetofaunal Atlas Project, The Blomidon Naturalist Society
• Conserving Our Only Endemic Mammal: Habitat Associations and Genetic Diversity of the Maritime Shrew, Elaine Schofield
• Salt Marsh and Tidal River Restoration Project, Ecology Action Centre

Applications for 2004 can be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division between Dec. 1, 2003 and Jan. 31, 2004. Submission guidelines and application forms can be obtained from any Department of Natural Resources office or on the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/habfund . Information on 2003 and past projects is also available on the department Web site.