Habitat Projects Approved

Projects that will preserve coastal habitat and help protect marten and wood turtles, are among the 16 projects approved to receive funding, from the province's Habitat Conservation Fund.

The fund is supported by hunters through the required purchase of a three-dollar wildlife habitat stamp on all hunting licences in Nova Scotia. This year a total of $151,000 will be awarded.

"Hunters and trappers in Nova Scotia support this fund, which is used to sustain our wildlife and wildlife habitat," said Natural Resources Minister Brooke Taylor. "The funds collected are used entirely for habitat conservation."

The primary goal of the fund is to assist with projects that protect and enhance wildlife habitats. Projects may be funded up to 75 per cent on a cost-shared basis, to a maximum of $25,000 ($50,000 for land acquisition). The projects must fall into one of four categories: purchase of land for the benefit of wildlife; habitat improvement; wildlife habitat research; and related education programs.

Since the program began in 2001, about $650,000 has been directed toward wildlife conservation. The project applications are reviewed and recommendations are made by an independent board of directors consisting of members from hunting, naturalist, and academic associations.

Applications for the 2007 Habitat Conservation Fund can be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, wildlife division, between Dec. 1, 2006 and Jan. 31, 2007. Submission guidelines and application forms can be obtained from any Department of Natural Resources office or on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/habfund/ .

Information on the 2006 projects and on past projects is also available on the website.

Successful projects and recipients of funding for 2006 are:

• Conservation of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora Species at Risk and important lakeshore habitat in the Tusket River Watershed, Sara V. Good-Avila
• Dragonflies as Indicators of Habitat Integrity of Treed Bogs, Scott Hubley / Tom Herman
• The utility of eastern pipistrelles as indicators of landscape level change at large spatial and temporal scales-year 2, Hugh G. Broders
• Forest characteristics required by the northern saw-whet owl compared with the more rare boreal owl, Randy F. Lauff
• Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas: Engaging and Training Volunteers for Bird Conservation, Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas
• Examining the size and extent of the marten Martes Americana population in western Nova Scotia, (Trappers' Association of Nova Scotia)
• Mercury (Hg) in river otter (Lontra canadensis) - year 3, Sarah Spencer
• Project Webfoot Wetland Education Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada
• The Role of Riparian Buffers in Forest Bird Conservation - year 2, Cindy Staicer
• St. Mary's River Conservation Legacy Project, Nova Scotia Nature Trust
• Shelter Cove Campaign, Nova Scotia Nature Trust
• Small Marsh Enhancement in Southern Kings County, Ducks Unlimited Canada
• Wildlife and forage-quality benefits of a late maturing hay cultivar, Sean LeMoine
• Woodcock Habitat Enhancement, The Woodcock Conservation Society
• Wood Turtle Habitat Conservation in the St. Mary's River Watershed, St. Mary's River Association
• Youth Leading in Stewardship Program, Tusket River Environmental Protection Association