EASTERN HABITAT JOINT VENTURE - NEW BRUNSWICK WETLANDS CONSERVATION
 
  In fiscal year 2005/2006, securement will target coastal habitats along the Bay of Fundy, Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait, as well as floodplain and dykeland habitats throughout the Saint John River, and Shepody areas. Provincial wetland and coastal habitat conservation policies will be supported through stewardship initiatives as they are delivered throughout the province.

Past focus of the New Brunswick Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (NBEHJV) has been on securement and enhancement of wetland habitat on private land. Recent adoption of a Provincial Coastal Areas Protection Policy, a Wetlands Conservation Policy, and various act amendments and associated designation orders has influenced the NBEHJV activities. These new policies and amended legislation should reduce the need for broad based wetland securement and provide an opportunity to move towards identifying focus landscape level priorities and management strategies.

The productivity of secured floodplain and dykeland marshes may receive enhancement to ensure stable water levels during brood rearing periods. Secured coastal marshes will be conserved in their natural state or restored if degraded as they provide important nutrient sources for moulting, breeding, nesting, and foraging site for waterfowl and other avian species.

Securement of wetlands for biodiversity will focus on agricultural lands through 10-year conservation agreements. The recent announcement of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) by the government of Canada provides new opportunities for collaboration for wetland conservation for biodiversity. Wildlife habitat projects will be delivered on the Province's agricultural landscapes through integrated land use techniques. Projects will link with the New Brunswick Environmental Farm Plan program, reinforcing sustainable farming that includes economics and the environment.

The project report is now available (pdf)
- report (1.2Mb)
- appendix 7-2 (1.9Mb)
- appendix 7-3 Herps (26kb)
- appendix 7-3 birds (32kb)
- appendix 7-3 small mammals (29kb)

For more information on this project, please contact Todd Byers, New Brunswick Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Coordinator, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division, Fredericton, New Brunswick.