Province Supports Habitat Conservation Projects

NOTE: A list of 15 projects selected by the Habitat Conservation Fund follows this release.

Funding from the province will help educate youth about provincial wildlife, preserve wildlife habitat and protect species at risk.

Fifteen projects will receive a total of $181,792 in funding this year from the Habitat Conservation Fund.

"Many individuals and groups in the province are committed to the protection of wildlife," said Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker." Funding from this program supports efforts to enhance wildlife habitats across Nova Scotia."

Money for the fund is generated through the required purchase of a wildlife habitat stamp on all hunting licences. Since 2001, more than $1.5 million has been invested in wildlife conservation through the sale of the stamps.

"The fund allows hunters and trappers to help sustain the province's wildlife and wildlife habitats," said Tony Rodgers, executive director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters. "We appreciate being part of this program and seeing the benefit that results from these conservation projects."

To be considered, a project must improve habitat through research, education programs or the purchase of land for the benefit of wildlife. Projects are funded up to 75 per cent, on a cost-shared basis, to a maximum of $25,000, or $50,000 for land acquisition.

"Support from this fund has allowed the Nature Conservancy of Canada to conserve valuable lands and undertake important conservation planning work for Nova Scotia's species at risk," said Craig Smith, program manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Nova Scotia.

Projects are reviewed by an independent board of directors with representation from the hunting community, environmental organizations and academic associations. The Minister of Natural Resources selects the recipients based on the Board's recommendations.

The application deadline for the 2013 Habitat Conservation Fund is Dec. 15. Guidelines and application forms are available at Natural Resources offices or at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/habfund/ .

Information on 2012 and past projects is also available online.

The following is a list of the 15 projects and funding recipients for 2012:

• Providing youth with opportunities to learn about and experience the province's natural history, Young Naturalists Club of Nova Scotia
• Protection of the Pugwash Estuary, Nature Conservancy of Canada
• Sharing the Space: Species at Risk Habitat Conservation in Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Nature Trust
• Chimney Swift Stewardship, student engagement, Bird Studies Canada
• Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas, Bird Studies Canada
• Research and conservation of coastal bird 'hot spots' on Nova Scotia's shores, Bird Studies Canada
• Project Webfoot Wetland Education program, Ducks Unlimited
• Evaluation of the Agricultural Stewardship in Nova Scotia program, Dalhousie University
• Habitat suitability modeling for landbird species at risk in Southwestern Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University
• Factors determining duck brood success in constructed wetlands, Acadia University
• Habitat and ecosystem bio-indicators on Sable Island, Acadia University
• Conservation of Leach's storm-petrels, Acadia University
• The Science of Stewardship: Achieving Behaviour Change for Species at Risk Recovery, Acadia University
• Deer management in Nova Scotia, Acadia University
• Sustainable products from Nova Scotia fur bearing animals, Trappers Association of Nova Scotia