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Since
European settlement Kings County, Nova Scotia has lost valuable
productive habitat to development activities - approximately 60%
of original saltmarsh habitat has been dyked and drained since the
early 1600's; approximately 50% of the total valley land base has
been cleared for agriculture production; and an estimated 80% of
the freshwater wetlands have been lost. Little wild land exists
in the valley floor and agriculture practices and growing human
populations are threatening the remaining habitat. Kings County
is the leading agricultural region in Atlantic Canada and also one
of the heaviest populated and fastest growing counties in Nova Scotia.
High concentrations of agriculture activities and high human population
densities generally have a negative impact on wildlife habitat and
water quality, and Kings County is no exception.
The
KCWCI aims to restore and enhance 3,275 acres of wetland, riparian
and adjacent habitats through direct and indirect activities including:
(1) municipal stewardship, (2) riparian fencing, (3) riparian conservation
agreements with crop producers, (4) small marsh restoration, (5)
irrigation ponds/wildlife habitat, (6) constructed wetlands for
milkhouse/manure storage runoff, (7) constructed wetlands for tile
drainage, and (8) flushing bars for tractors. These activities will
also reduce the potential of surface water contamination from an
estimated 115 farms. Linking with, and building upon, existing programs
and projects, this initiative will have a demonstrable and positive
synergistic effect in the application of watershed management principles,
Best Management Practices (BMP's), and habitat conservation techniques.
Project
report and presentation
are now available (pdf format).
For more information on this project, please contact Glen
Parsons, Nova Scotia Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Program Manager,
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division,
Kentville, Nova Scotia.
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