The upper Bay of Fundy is one of the most important estuaries in the world, and has been designated a RAMSAR wetland of international importance. In 1987/1988, the Upper Bay of Fundy was also included among 20 critical sites under the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

Semipalmated Sandpipers fly more than 3,000 km non-stop from the Minas Basin to the southeast coast of South America.

Approximately 75% of the world's population of Semipalmated Sandpipers - more than 2.5 million - descends on the extensive tidal mudflat and shoreline habitats of the upper Bay of Fundy during mid-July to mid-August to feed in preparation for their arduous southward migration. When high tide covers the mudflats, shorebirds numbering in the thousands often gather in huge roosts along the narrow shore, at which time they are vulnerable to disturbances from humans and dogs, and susceptible to predators.

The Bay of Fundy Shorebird Project is securing critical shoreline habitats and educating the public about the importance of allowing the birds to eat and sleep without disturbance.

Semipalmated Sandpipers double their weight by feeding on tiny mud shrimp that live in concentrations of up to 60,000/m2 on the mudflats of the Minas Basin. The mudflats can extend up to seven km from the shore at low tide.

It benefits a wide variety of birds and other organisms while serving as a model for habitat conservation and stewardship in a landscape characterized by intense recreational use, small coastal lots of land, and private ownership. The opening of the Evangeline Beach pavilion was timed in preparation for the August 2004 Acadian World Congress and the need to accommodate the anticipated tens of thousands of visitors while protecting critical shorebird habitat from disturbance.

The event, organized by the Kings Community Economic Development Agency, celebrated the coordinated stewardship efforts of local landowners, regional development agencies, and the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, of which Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) is a partner. Approximately 75 people gathered to hear remarks by participating members of this community project, admire the interpretive panels describing the shorebirds and their critical habitats, as well as view the "Stewards of Evangeline Beach" educational video. In addition, stewardship coordinator Donald Sam, with the assistance of partners from the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and WHC, presented two local families with stewardship certificates. The event demonstrated how Canadians can work together locally to protect a globally significant habitat for migratory birds.

WHC wishes to thank its partners in the Bay of Fundy Shorebird Project:

• Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada
• Ducks Unlimited Canada
• Local and regional groups
• Nature Conservancy of Canada
• New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy
• North American Wetlands Conservation Act
• Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
• The Nature Conservancy