Blog

May 14 2020

Certainty from nature in an uncertain world

I don’t know about you, but after a long winter with toddlers constantly getting sick – as toddlers do, spring is a welcomed season in my house! Just as spring marks a new beginning for wildlife, it’s also a new beginning for us. We start to get outside more, colds and flus take a backseat, and we can reasonably look forward to summer! But this year, things feels a little different.

You don’t need me to explain to you what it’s been like—we’re experiencing this together, an ironic sentiment since isolation can make us feel disconnected and uncertain. It’s especially hard for children who desperately need routines. My children are 2 and 4. They are used to going to daycare, seeing friends, and spending time with their grandparents. With the loss of this (and many other) routines, we are trying to find what our new normal looks like.

In times of stress and worry, I have always turned to nature to cope. Nature is constant. It is well known that spending time in nature reduces anxiety and stress^[1]. These past months, I seem to have forgotten my coping method. Maybe it was the uncertainty around where we could go to be with nature, or maybe the thought of leaving the safety of our yard was too much. As a family, we spent time exploring our yard and woods but after more than a month, even this wilderness became monotonous.

When it was announced that we could once again safely explore public parks and trails, my family immediately tugged on our boots to visit our favourite local spot: The Gateway Wetland Trails in Oromocto. We used to come here weekly, if not more often, and stepping onto the gravel trail felt comforting and energizing. I felt welcomed home by the splash of ducks and woodsy air, ready to once again walk the trails and bridges. The chickadees and red winged blackbirds were competing with their songs, red squirrels scurried about, and the vibrant marsh reminded me of the crucial role that nature plays in nurturing our souls.

My son and daughter spent the time looking for painted rocks (one of our favourite activities) and searching for beavers (still no luck there). Nothing can compete with their excitement for the outdoors— not even Paw Patrol! With muddy boots and windswept hair, their moods and spirits lifted during our walk and stayed high for days after.

It was exciting to be back with nature, and reassuring to see that the Town was encouraging our safe enjoyment with new signs letting the public know how to conduct themselves while using the trail amid this pandemic. All parks and trails will have their own rules and recommendations as more begin to open up, so take care to research and understand what they are before heading out.

I know how precious our natural spaces are here in New Brunswick. I have dedicated my academic and professional careers to help protect it, and I have been privileged enough to be able to access it my whole life. This pandemic has truly shown me how my mood and wellbeing suffer when disconnected from the natural world. Nature provides so much to us, but perhaps none greater than the certainty and comfort it gives during uncertain times.

Header photo by Nick Hawkins Photography

^[1] Spending time in nature can improve your mood and moderate stress, but if you are experiencing severe mental health challenges, please contact your doctor. It is not capable of treating serious mental illness.

Kelsey Wierdsma has a Master of Environmental Management and is the Conservation Coordinator at CPAWS NB. She’s a homegrown New Brunswicker and is passionate about building community support for protected areas. Her work in the non-profit sector has given her an outlet to make real change and educate others about the important work that needs to be done in New Brunswick and beyond.

April 6 2020

Dear Nature: Thanks for being there for us

Steve Reid Blog

Dear Nature,

Thank you for being a companion and calming presence in these uncertain times. Thank you for being a bright spot in our daily routines. Thank you for being there for us when we needed you most, as we navigate our new, and sometimes strange, lifestyles.

As we re-define community and re-discover the wonders of our home (hello, spring cleaning projects!), each day that I get to step out and feel the drizzle on my face or the sun kissing my skin, I am thankful that nature is literally just outside my front door. With some of our parks taking extra precautions to protect us as we practice social and physical distancing, it might seem harder than usual to really interact with nature¹. But, as someone who has been recently housebound with crutches and a leg cast, I’m here to tell you that nature is always nearby! All you have to do is step outside, look, and listen.

If you can, get out for stroll around your neighbourhood in search of the signs of spring (if you can’t, try opening up a sunny window). Listen for the melody of drips as the snow melts away, a chorus of chirps as songbirds build new homes, a subtle symphony as the wind breezes through the treetops. Look for the fresh red of new growth on shrubs and trees, seek out the bright green of new grass cropping up through the brown, send your gaze up to the bright blue sky of April (or maybe it’s a sleepy grey where you are). Taking a ten-minute nature break can make such a difference in the day— helping us to feel more motivated and energized, while giving us a sweet sense of calm and ease among the chaos.

Lately, it’s felt like a lot of our day-to-day normalcy has gone quiet. But when you look out to nature, it’s clear to me that our world and wilderness is still a happy song. The spring is a time to celebrate life as plants bloom, animals play, and the sun warms us back from the cold of winter. With our friend nature nearby, we can feel a bit less lonely and a lot more hopeful for things to come.

So, nature, thank you for being a daily reminder that our world is beautiful and soon we’ll get back to exploring you.

With love and admiration,

Julie

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Looking for ways to get kids involved in nature? Join us for the CPAWS-NB Watch Your Paws Challenge! More information here.

Try out a game of backyard eye spy from our Get Outside and Watch Your Paws programs. Find resources here.

Explore the Bay of Fundy with story maps! Check out the passages of the Bay of Fundy, the Fundy mud flats, or Machias Seal Island.

Header photo by Nick Hawkins Photography

¹At the time of this post, all national and provincial parks in New Brunswick were closed to the public. Most municipal parks remained open, provided that users complied with the 2-meter physical distancing requirement.

Julie Reimer is a PhD student at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Board Member of CPAWS-NB. Having worked in the whale watching industry in New Brunswick and conducted her Master’s research on conservation planning for the North Atlantic right whale, Julie is an advocate for MPAs in New Brunswick. Julie’s current research attempts to see the “bigger picture” of conservation, reaching beyond protected areas to understand the synergies between conservation actions and ocean industries. To connect with Julie, visit http://juliereimer.wixsite.com/hello.

February 13 2020

10 Birds to spot this winter

Steve Reid Blog

When we think of winter, we see a crisp white landscape, fur boughs heavy with snow. We smell that fresh wintery smell and cozy wood fireplaces. We taste fresh snowflakes. But what do we hear? Maybe a deep and peaceful quiet—but maybe something more? From December to February, New Brunswick wilderness comes to life with the songs of chattering birds, the prying eyes of birds of prey, and the mysterious movements of owls. When you’re out in nature this winter, keep your eyes and ears peeled for a sighting of one of these ten birds that tough out the cold season with us.

Snowy owl photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

1. Snowy owl – A list of winter birds hardly seems complete without this special species. Perfectly camouflaged for the arctic tundra, the snowy owl is a winter visitor to New Brunswick that prefers wide-open spaces with few trees and high vantage points, like telephone poles. Snowy owls can sit in one place for hours, watching and waiting with their big yellow eyes to spot prey, like voles and other small rodents.

2. Black-capped chickadees – A well-known friend and the provincial bird of New Brunswick, the black-capped chickadee make our backyards a little brighter with their cheerful chickadee-dee-dee calls. Listen carefully, the more dee notes in their calls means they are feeling threatened! This tiny bird likes to collect food, hiding thousands of seeds and other foods in different places and remembering their locations later.

“Waxing Upside D 266” by Gillfoto is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

3. Bohemian waxwing – This regal-looking bird is a bit unpredictable, but if you have a winter-fruiting tree or shrub in your yard or on your favourite trail, you might spot a large flock of bohemian waxwings! These birds are expert fruit-finders, and sometimes travel long distances in big groups in search of berries. You might see this species flocking together with its familiar cousin, the cedar waxwing, so look for the distinct yellow patches in their tail feathers.

4. Snow bunting – Catch a bustling flock of these little black-and-white birds, who are more restless than us in winter, hopping place to place as fast as every ten minutes! Males have mostly white bellies, with rust-coloured patches on the head, and a dark and streaky back. Females have a rusty wash over their face, heads, and breasts and the same dark and streaky backs. You can spot snow buntings in open fields, croplands, shorelines, and roadsides.

5. King eider – If you’re near the ocean in New Brunswick, you might be lucky enough to see a flock of king eiders along the rocky coast. Sometimes king eiders flock among their cousins, the common eider, so look carefully for the male’s orange bill compared to the common eiders greyish-green bill in winter. King eiders are diving birds, so you might spot them ducking below the surface to grab a snack.

“Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)” by Peyman Zehtab Fard is licensed under CC BY 2.0

6. Ring-necked pheasant – A year-round resident of southern New Brunswick, the ring-necked pheasant, with its dark colours, will stand out as it scurries across the snowy white landscape. Like us in the depths of winter, this bird will remain dormant and inactive for days at a time when a cold snap hits! Ring-necked pheasants are common on agricultural lands and in grassy or brushy areas, so have a look for the bright greens, reds, and golds of the male and their unique long, pointed tail.

7. Rough-legged hawk – Another bird that summers in the arctic tundra, the winter is the best time to see the rough-legged hawk in New Brunswick. Usually this bird of prey can be sighted from a high vantage point, like poles, or hovering above wetlands or open spaces in search of small rodents. The rough-legged hawk comes in light-coloured and dark-coloured varieties, being highly mottled or a deep chocolate-brown. Look closely for their unique legs that are feathered all the way to their toes!

“Blue Jay Keeping Warm” by nancy_gb is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

8. Blue jay – Another bright spot of winter, the blue jay is a familiar bird in New Brunswick backyards. In winter, blue jays are more likely to be found in flocks than in summer, when they tend to live in breeding pairs, though these pairs stay together within larger flocks! These winter flocks have a “pecking order” in which higher ranking individuals get the first chance to eat, choosing nuts, seeds, and fruits in winter.

9. Northern shrike – About the size of an American robin, the northern shrike is a predatory songbird, hunting insects, small mammals like rodents, and other birds. The adult bird has a grey head and black mask over the eyes with a thick, hooked bill for capturing prey. In late winter, listen for the males singing complex songs of harsh notes, chatters, trills, and whistles and the aak-aak-beek call.

10. Pileated woodpecker – Another year-round New Brunswick resident, the pileated woodpecker shines in winter with its deep black body, bright white face, and eye-catching red crest. A pair of pileated woodpeckers stay together in one territory all year, defending the area in the summer, but being more welcome to newcomer birds in the winter. Look for dead and dying trees where this bird might frequent for food or nesting.

While many of our wildlife friends leave us for the winter, hibernating or migrating to avoid the snowy weather, there are many birds that stick with us through the season! Take some time to get out into nature before spring returns and remember to look and listen for the birds of winter. Visit one of our year-round parks, including Mactaquac Provincial Park, Mount Carleton Provincial Park, or Sugarloaf Provincial Park, to enjoy more of winter in New Brunswick!

Give the gift of nature! Support the work of CPAWS-NB in protecting New Brunswick’s wilderness.

Header photo of pileated woodpecker by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

January 30 2020

Meet the CPAWS-NB Team: Brittany and Kelsey

Steve Reid Blog

CPAWS-NB has big plans for conservation in our province this year, and we couldn’t get to those goals without the passionate efforts of our dedicated staff! Now that we’ve just about made it through the first month of 2020, we wanted to get back to introducing you to our amazing team who work so hard to see the mission of CPAWS-NB come to life.

We are lucky at CPAWS-NB to have found an incredible team of women who share a vision of a protected New Brunswick where our wildlife and our communities thrive. Brittany and Kelsey, two of our Coordinators, work hard to inspire a love of nature and a desire to protect it in New Brunswickers of all ages, and now they’re sharing their experience and insight on all things CPAWS-NB with you!

Meet Brittany Dixon! An avid hiker and nature enthusiast, Brittany helps our programs come to life by engaging folks like you as our Conservation Engagement Coordinator.

What role do you play in the CPAWS NB team?

My role involves engaging with our members and volunteers, which can take many forms. I help to coordinate our events throughout the year, including the Tuesday Talks speaker series, nature walks, photography exhibits, and more! I also enjoy helping with our ‘Watch Your Paws’ education program by travelling the province and giving presentations to young people.

Since last summer, I have been assisting to coordinate the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program, an exciting, new program at CPAWS-NB! I work with a group of 10 volunteers from around the province to take part in a wilderness expedition, community project, and Ottawa Summit conference. I have enjoyed getting to know the volunteers as we work towards the creation of various community projects aimed at engaging with the public and sharing knowledge on NB conservation and parks.

What led you to your work with CPAWS NB?

At CPAWS NB, I have the opportunity to work with a fun, brilliant team of conservation and nature enthusiasts. I was drawn to the diversity of the work involved in the role and the opportunity to apply my experience in event planning and outreach. I love that my position allows me to combine my passion for conservation work with my love for the outdoors and each week, month, and season brings new challenges and experiences!

What motivates you to work in the environmental movement?

I believe that we have a responsibility to keep our planet healthy, not only for ourselves, but for every living creature. The impact of humans around the world should be a priority to everyone, and it is our responsibility to do something, to lend a voice, and to be a part of the change. I think we are on the cusp of a worldwide movement towards real change and I am so excited to be a part of the fight for our planet and natural spaces.

Tell us something uniquely you…

I absolutely love to travel and discover new places and new experiences. This past summer I hiked the Grand Manan trail for the first time and over the course of three days, I walked solo along the beautiful coastline overlooking the Bay of Fundy’s impressive expanse. I find that multi-day hiking allows me to clear my head, get away from the stresses of life, and challenge myself in new ways. My goal is to tackle a long section of the Appalachian trail one day!

Kelsey Wierdsma first joined our team in 2015 and has been a leader in our conservation programs and advocacy efforts! She currently works as our Conservation Coordinator.

What role do you play in the CPAWS NB team?

I coordinate our terrestrial conservation campaigns, and I help to coordinate our marine campaigns as well as our education and outreach programs. I also write communications materials for our social media, newsletter and website.

What led you to your work with CPAWS NB?

I’ve known since high school that I wanted to work in the environmental field in some capacity. So, I focused my schooling on environmental policy and management—I hold a Master of Environmental Management, where both my project and practicum focused on New Brunswick’s provincial park system. I also spent two summers working for New Brunswick Parks. Our Executive Director, Roberta Clowater, was one of my professors and a supervisor on my master’s project, which is how I learned about the crucial work of CPAWS NB. When Roberta approached me about a possible internship at CPAWS NB, I knew it was where I wanted to be, and I’ve been here ever since!

What motivates you to work in the environmental movement?

Being born and raised in New Brunswick contributed heavily to my passion for the environment as I was growing up. I think many New Brunswickers would agree that nature makes up some of our provincial identity. Being outside most of my childhood transferred into a passion to protect it. As I learned more throughout my university career about all the issues we are facing, my motivation to work in the environmental movement only became stronger. Some days it can be hard to think about environmental problems but knowing that we are actively working on them helps me to be even more determined and focused.

Tell us something uniquely you…

I also majored in Religious Studies in my undergrad and I worked at the Saint John Jewish Museum for two summers!

With our 16^th year in action and advocacy ahead, we asked Brittany and Kelsey what they’re looking forward to most!

What are you most looking forward to for CPAWS in 2020?

Brittany: I am looking forward to working with our Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program volunteers as they begin to organize and host a variety of community projects around New Brunswick. They have been working hard to create diverse events and projects that will showcase the beauty of New Brunswick and the importance of protecting our land and oceans. Our goal is to engage with the community through these events and create inclusive, educational experiences.

I am also excited for the future of protected lands in New Brunswick, especially with the Government of New Brunswick’s recent commitment to protecting 10% of the province in 2020. This is an exciting time to work in the environmental sector and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the coming months.

Kelsey: I am looking forward to working on our Pathway to 2020 target of conserving 17% of land in Canada. Here in New Brunswick, to contribute to this target, our government committed to protecting 10%. I look forward to working with everyone to achieve this protected area goal. In particular, I am excited to work on the development of the Restigouche Wilderness Waterway Park.

With January now under our belts, we are excited to see what the rest of 2020 will bring! With Brittany and Kelsey on board, and the rest of the CPAWS-NB team, we are ready to take on our conservation goals and work to protect more of New Brunswick’s wilderness by the year’s end.

Interested in supporting our work and our team as a volunteer? Find out more, here.

Join us for our next Tuesday Talk event in Fredericton on February 18! Check it out, here.

Give the gift of nature! Support the work of CPAWS-NB in protecting New Brunswick’s wilderness.

Header photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

January 16 2020

10 Tips to overcome Eco-Anxiety this year

Steve Reid Blog

We did it! We’ve made it through the first two weeks of a new decade and if you’re anything like me, you’re still riding that energetic wave that comes with a new year and a fresh blanket of snow. As we dig into 2020, it is more important now than ever before that we surge forward with hope and positivity as we rise to the challenges of climate breakdown and worldwide wildlife loss. During the countdown to 2020, we shared a list of our top tips for overcoming eco-anxiety this year that we hope you’ll remember as you connect with nature and take action with us in conservation.

Tourists explore the St. Martins sea caves in St. Martins, New Brunswick, by Nick Hawkins

1. Go for a nature walk – It’s true that one of the best things we can do when we’re feeling overwhelmed, whether that be from environmental crises or the stress of everyday life, is to get outside. Choose a local trail or plan a longer hike to reconnect with the nature you love and take a deep breath of fresh air.

2. Take action for your favourite ecosystems – Over the holidays, we encouraged our followers to have their say in establishing the Restigouche River Waterway. As the Government of New Brunswick looks to keep its promise to protect 10% of our natural areas this year, follow our social media pages closely for calls to action to protect your favourite ecosystems in 2020.

3. Voice your support – At CPAWS-NB, we want to encourage you to speak up for nature, and one of the best things you can do to overcome your eco-anxiety is to tell your local representatives and decision-makers that protecting nature is important to you! You can write your own letters or emails, or keep your eyes peeled this year for letter writing campaigns from CPAWS-NB. Adding your voice helps us to show leaders that New Brunswickers support conservation action in our province.

Add your voice in our campaign to protect the Bay of Fundy, here.

Harbour porpoise, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, by Nick Hawkins

4. Nominate an area for protection – Do you have a special place in nature in New Brunswick? One that you feel is worth protecting? This year, we will be looking for folks like you to nominate their favourite wilderness areas for protection. Be sure to reach out to CPAWS-NB to share your stories and help us to increase conservation coverage across the province. Take a look, here.

5. Talk it out – Being worried about the environment can take a big toll but talking about our worries is a great way to combat eco-anxiety. Share your concerns with your friends, family, and colleagues and work together to find ways to overcome eco-anxiety and support conservation action. Don’t forget to also share why you love nature and why you’re thankful to have it in your life!

6. Hold leaders accountable – Late last year, the provincial government promised to increase protected area coverage to 10% by the end of 2020. We were thrilled by this commitment, and it will be important for us all to hold leaders accountable in meeting this target over the next 12 months! You can overcome your eco-anxiety by helping us to see this through and sharing our message whenever and wherever possible. Send a letter today, here!

CPAWS-NB Get Outside program at Mactaquac Provincial Park, photo by Steve Reid.

7. Be a teacher – Have you been taking the time to learn about ecosystems and nature in New Brunswick? We want you to share your knowledge! Teach those around you, family and friends of all ages, about nature, about climate breakdown, and about what we can all do to ensure that New Brunswick’s forests, wetlands, and coasts remain healthy.

8. Give a gift – CPAWS-NB works together with provincial, federal, and territorial governments, local communities, and engaged folks like you to see that New Brunswick’s nature is protected and enjoyed by all. Supporting CPAWS-NB with a gift can help us to keep doing our work all year long, and we are so thankful for any support you can give. You can give a gift any time, here.

You might also want to give the gift of time and action this year! Join us as a volunteer, get started here.

9. Visit a park – Did you know that New Brunswick is home to nine beautiful and fun provincial parks? This year make a plan to visit a park or two (or three or four) to see the best of New Brunswick’s nature. Ready to get started? Visit one of our year-round parks, including Mactaquac Provincial Park, Mount Carleton Provincial Park, or Sugarloaf Provincial Park, to enjoy some winter activities in the crisp snowy air!

10. Join the conservation community – New Brunswick is home to a vibrant community of conservation enthusiasts! Join CPAWS-NB for one of our many events this year. Through the winter and spring, we host a Tuesday Talks speaker series where we hear from members of this community and engage in lively discussion. In the summer, we host lots of events across our provincial parks. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest events.

Eco-anxiety can be tough, but by trying some of these tips we can overcome our worry and work together to ensure that the special wilderness of New Brunswick thrives into the future. CPAWS-NB wishes you a happy and hopeful year ahead!

Header photo of Fundy National Park by Nick Hawkins.

December 19 2019

Meet the CPAWS-NB Team: Courtney and Claire

Steve Reid Blog

Did you hear? CPAWS-NB celebrated a big anniversary this year: 15 years serving our province in advocacy for nature and conservation! As the new year fast approaches, we wanted to take the time to introduce you to our wonderful team who have worked hard to make made years past, present, and future successful.

The staff at CPAWS-NB work as a great team—one united by a shared vision of a protected New Brunswick where biodiversity thrive and communities across our province appreciate and enjoy natural wonders from wetland, to forest, to river, to ocean. Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Roberta Clowater, the women of CPAWS-NB are leaders in their own right: giving voices to ecosystems and connecting with New Brunswickers to inspire a love of nature and a desire to protect it. Two of those leaders, Courtney and Claire, have shared their experience and insight on all things CPAWS-NB with you!

Meet Claire Vézina! A New Brunswicker who’s upbringing in nature has inspired her to join our team as the Conservation Engagement Assistant.

What role do you play in the CPAWS NB team?

I coordinate the Watch Your Paws Education Program where we visit classrooms between grades 4 and 6 to teach the students about New Brunswick animals, the importance of protected areas, and responsible action in nature. I also translate our social media posts and action pages to French, as well as oversee our Facebook page.

What led you to your work with CPAWS NB?

I applied for a summer internship with CPAWS NB in 2018 and experienced some of the programs the organization runs in the summer months. I was also very fortunate to get insight into the work CPAWS NB does in conservation in the province through Roberta, our Executive Director. When I came back to Fredericton at the end of this summer (2019), I very much wanted to return to environmental work, and was lucky enough to be offered a position with CPAWS NB for the year. So far, I am enjoying my experience with this organization!

What motivates you to work in the environmental movement?

I think having grown up in and to be living in a province with so much natural beauty is the basis of my motivation. My parents took me out into nature and shared their love of nature as soon as I was born. I grew up feeling grateful for this beautiful place we call home. As I interacted with the world around me, I realized that those who did not feel the same sense of urgency I felt for protecting our natural spaces had never really been exposed to them. I knew I had to find a way to get people outside so they could experience it too.

It is still that sense of gratitude for nature that motivates me to work in the environmental movement. Nature has given us so much, and it is only fair that we return the favor.

Tell us something uniquely you…

In 2017, I competed in Dublin, Ireland at the World Championships of Irish Dance!

Courtney Piercy joined our team in 2017 and has been a big help in our marine protected area projects! She currently works as our Marine Education Coordinator.

What role do you play in the CPAWS NB team?

I coordinate our marine and coastal conservation campaigns. A big part of this is highlighting the importance and diversity of these often-mysterious areas located in our own backyard!

What led you to your work with CPAWS NB?

I’ve always been passionate about the environment, conservation and sharing these passions with others. My position at CPAWS NB allows me to work on conservation initiatives within our province as well as connect people to nature through education and outreach opportunities.

What motivates you to work in the environmental movement?

I grew up in rural New Brunswick, with many opportunities to experience our province’s nature just minutes from my door. My connection to nature since childhood drives me to work in the environmental field – from work on conservation campaigns, to helping others appreciate and explore the natural areas New Brunswick has to offer!

Tell us something uniquely you…

I’m most at home when I’m on, or in the water. Through school, work and volunteer opportunities I’ve had up-close encounters with sharks, turtles, whales, dolphins and manatees. Whale sharks are next on my bucket list!

With our 16^th year in action and advocacy ahead, we asked Claire and Courtney what they’re looking forward to most! Not surprisingly, our team is really excited to see conservation coverage increase in the province.

What are you most looking forward to for CPAWS in 2020?

Claire: I am very excited to see our province make steps to protect 10% of our natural areas, and I’m particularly excited to see CPAWS NB’s ongoing project to establish the Restigouche Wilderness Waterway Park finally underway! I am also looking forward to seeing my first Watch Your Paws School Program through.

Courtney: Seeing the government of New Brunswick act on their promise of protecting 10% of the province for nature, a big step forward for New Brunswick conservation efforts!

The year ahead is sure to be an exciting one with these two a part of our team, and we can’t be more thankful to have them. Stay tuned in January to learn about the rest of our team—Kelsey, Brittany, Steve, and, of course, Roberta will share their stories in the new year!

The CPAWS-NB team wishes you and your communities a happy holiday season and a very bright new year! Thank you for sharing this conservation journey with us.

Give the gift of nature! Support the work of CPAWS-NB in protecting New Brunswick’s wilderness with a donation today.

Header photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

December 5 2019

Connecting with Nature on the Restigouche River

Steve Reid Blog

Have you been keeping up with the volunteers of our Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program? This August, 10 volunteers from across the province visited the beautiful Restigouche River and experienced the wonder of this currently unprotected watershed first-hand. Over two days, our volunteers connected with local experts and set out on a canoe expedition down the clear, calm waters of the Restigouche, all the while developing a deeper understanding of the conservation challenges facing this area.

Aidan Hicks, a volunteer with the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program at CPAWS-NB, Photo by Justin Dutcher

This month we are excited to showcase more of our volunteers and their experiences with the program. We are pleased to introduce you to Aidan Hicks, Benuelle Cabiara, and Dustin Gamblin!

During their time on the Restigouche, our volunteers were asked to reflect on how important protected areas are in New Brunswick. For Benuelle, the experience made her feel more connected to nature and fueled a passion for conservation. She shared, “New Brunswick is the epitome of natural beauty, a picture of mother nature. It is so unfortunate to know that we are lagging behind in protecting the wilderness and the wildlife that exist within our areas.” Aidan echoed this sentiment and noted that his time on the Restigouche river “definitely shaped my vision of how much natural space in New Brunswick needs to be protected.”

Their experience on the river came at an excellent time for conservation in the province. Recently, there has been movement by the provincial government towards designating this ecosystem as the Restigouche Wilderness Waterway Park. The new proposed park will encompass 20,000 hectares of land along the Restigouche, Kedgwick, Patapedia, Upsalquitch and Little Main Restigouche Rivers. Not only will this project create an important protected zone around the Restigouche River system, but tourism in the area will also see new growth and opportunities. “Despite the current lack of good environmental policy, there are still beautiful landscapes with clean water and abundant life here in New Brunswick” commented Dustin. “A healthy environment is crucial to a strong economy long term”, and we are so excited at CPAWS-NB to see this come to life on the Restigouche.

Dustin Gamblin, a volunteer with the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program at CPAWS-NB, Photo by Justin Dutcher

With new ecotourism opportunities on the horizon, we asked our volunteers to weigh-in on the topic. Aidan felt that “ecotourism can be a way for people to experience nature and learn about why some places are so important to protect. Thanks to Arpin Canoe Restigouche, I got to experience the Restigouche River and to see the seemingly pristine landscape first-hand.” For Benuelle, the value of a strong ecotourism industry became apparent during her time on the river, “people from different parts of the country visit the Restigouche to feel truly connected to nature. Ecotourism does not only provide jobs to many individuals in the province, it also promotes environmental conservation and supports local communities to be economically independent.”

This winter, the CPAWS-NB team will be working with our volunteer stewards to imagine and create community projects that highlight the importance of protected natural areas in our province and that use our parks and protected areas as the backdrop for fun educational activities. We are beyond excited to see what our volunteers come up with! As Aidan puts it, “having this experience and ideas for the project has me really excited to get started working in the community on things.” Benuelle is also looking forward to reaching out to others through her project, “this trip has inspired me to think of ways to share my passion through inspiring other individuals to be more connected to nature and to care more about conservation in New Brunswick. I believe that if more people are aware of the beauty and importance of our natural environment, more people would want to protect it for the future generation.”

Benuelle Cabiara, a volunteer with the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program at CPAWS-NB, Photo by Justin Dutcher

It’s clear as the river’s water that the Restigouche is a natural area worth protecting. “I feel like there are no words to properly describe and give justice to how beautiful the place is. You just have to see it for yourself” said Benuelle, “I was captivated by the view and the amount of wildlife that I witnessed during our canoe trip. I have never seen a body of water as pristine and beautiful as the Restigouche River” she continued. And while Dustin notes that there is still work to do, he also remains optimistic for the future of the Restigouche. “Fortunately, there is a growing population who recognize that problems exist, but there also exist solutions. And that is cause to remain hopeful.”

Be sure to follow our blog into the new year for more updates on the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program and the exciting work of our volunteer stewards in your communities across the province!

Header photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

Brittany Dixon is the Conservation Engagement Coordinator with CPAWS-NB. Through her work with CPAWS, Brittany enjoys the opportunity to combine her love of outdoor exploration with a passion for nature conservation. It is her hope to share this passion with others to demonstrate the value and importance of protecting New Brunswick’s natural areas.

Want to follow the amazing work of our Wilderness Ambassadors? Watch for #CPAWSinAction by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CPAWSNewBrunswick) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/cpawsnb).

Funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program. To learn more about the Canadian Service corps visit their website (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/youth/canada-service-corps.html).

November 21 2019

Biodiversity loss, the climate crisis, and why we need to act now

Steve Reid Blog

Written by Sandra Bender

If you care about the planet’s survival, you need to know about biodiversity and its important relationship to climate change.

Photo attributed to Isiwal/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Biodiversity encompasses all of the genes, species, and ecosystems that make up life on this planet, including humans. It includes all of the flora and fauna across terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic environments. Simply put, biodiversity is the basis of life on earth.

If our planet’s biodiversity is in poor health, we are in trouble. Biodiversity provides clean air, water, soil, food, resources and many other “ecosystem services” that we all need to survive. Wildlife and the ecosystems they live in help to capture carbon and help environments to adapt to extreme situations like flooding, fires, and drought. These services are crucial in this time of climate crisis.

This May, the United Nations IPBES—Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, released a report that paints a grim picture of the present state of global biodiversity, and the future looking worse if we do not act now. According to the report, scientific evidence shows that ecosystems, species, and wild populations are shrinking, weakening, or vanishing more rapidly and to a greater extent than ever before¹. What is the main cause of this fast and threatening biodiversity loss? It’s quite simple: human activities.

Photo attributed to Robert Jack Will/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

Human-caused climate change is one of the top three biggest drivers of global biodiversity loss, and its impact is only expected to increase¹. Many of the current targets proposed by countries to reduce the carbon-emitting activities causing climate change, including Canada, are not sufficient to reduce climate change impacts. Between 20% and 30% of plant and animal species are likely to be at an increased risk of extinction if the global average temperature change exceeds 1.5-2°C¹. In Canada, average temperatures are rising two times as fast as the rest of the world, with changes in Canada’s north seeing increases closer to three times the global average².

If we continue on our present path, the damage will continue and will likely be irreparable—but there is hope! Since human activity is a direct cause of both climate change and global biodiversity loss, if we act quickly, we can have a future full of healthy wildlife and sustainable ecosystems.

Protecting wilderness areas is a critical step in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity. Wilderness areas can include critical habitats of at-risk species and can provide connectivity within and across ecosystems important for species survival. They also include important ecosystems like forests and wetlands that capture and store carbon. Forests and wetlands also provide crucial buffers to extreme storms and flooding caused by climate change, and these ecosystems function best, and are more resilient to the effects of climate change, when biodiversity is intact.

Photo “Horse Shoe Bend version Quebec” by Geoff Llerena, Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Environment Canada has estimated the number of eco-regions at high risk for biodiversity loss in Canada. Of the 177 eco-regions identified, 14 – or 7% of Canada – are considered to be at high risk of losing the plants and animals that support healthy ecosystems³. Canada is in desperate need of more protected areas if we are to limit the impacts of climate change to wildlife, wilderness, and our local communities.

The advantages for species in protected wilderness areas are real. Research shows that plant and animal populations are larger inside protected areas, and more types of species are found inside their boundaries compared to surrounding areas. In Canada, some of our least protected areas are the most important for species at risk of extinction, for carbon storage, and for adaptation to climate change⁴. A recent announcement by the New Brunswick government to protect 10% of the province’s nature by 2020 is a welcome first step in bringing it in line with other provinces in Canada⁵.

Now, more than ever, we need to protect our wilderness. The planet’s survival may depend on it.

Help us keep the positive momentum going! Send a letter to your local representative to keep their promise of protecting 10% by 2020.

Read more about New Brunswick biodiversity initiatives here.

Check out our blog on Canada’s biodiversity goals here.

References:

¹ Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services/IPBES. (2019). UN Report: Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’; ‘Species Extinction Rates Accelarating’. Accessed November 12, 2019 from: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/

² Bush, E. and Lemmen, D.S., editors (2019): Canada’s Changing Climate Report; Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON. 444 p. Accessed November 12, 2019 from: https://changingclimate.ca/CCCR2019/

³ Bourdages, J.-L. & Labelle, C. (2003). Protecting wild species at risk in Canada. Science and Technology Division, PRB 00-19E. Accessed November 12, 2019 from: http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/prb0019-e.htm#introtxt

⁴ World Wildlife Fund Canada. (2019). Wildlife protection assessment: A national habitat crisis. Accessed November 12, 2019 from http://www.wwf.ca/wildlife_protection_assessment.cfm

⁵ CBC News. (2019). New Brunswick plans to double amount of protected natural areas before Accessed November 12, 2019 from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/double-conservation-natural-areas-new-brunswick-1.5338670

November 7 2019

Getting Protected Areas Right

Steve Reid Blog Parks and Protected Areas

We had big news last week at CPAWS-NB! Maybe you heard that the Province of New Brunswick just announced their commitment to protecting 10% of our province by 2020? In a province where there is currently less than 5% coverage of protected areas, more than doubling this amount is a significant and exciting move! Creating new protected areas can help to keep plants and animals thriving, ecosystems vibrant, and our communities more resilient to climate breakdown.

Despite their many benefits, not all protected areas are created equal – depending on how and where protected areas are designed, they might be very effective or not effective at all in protecting wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems. Science has given us all kinds of important information on how protected areas should be designed, with advice ranging from simplistic to much easier said than done. To get the ball rolling in New Brunswick, we’ve summarized some of the science into five qualities of good protected areas that do what they’re meant to do: protect nature!

1. Protect something worth protecting – It might sound straightforward, but this is a critical first step in creating a new protected area: deciding where it should go. It’s easy to protect areas that are far away from humans and don’t contain many of the resources we like to harvest, but often the areas that most need protecting are ones that include humans and our activities. To design a good protected area, we need to choose an area that is worthy of protection – one that has the diverse species and habitats that make ecosystems function so well; one that has endangered species needing conservation attention; or one that has species and ecosystems unique to our region. In New Brunswick, we need to increase our coverage to a meaningful 10% that protects our natural spaces and the way they work.

2. Create a buffer from threats – We’ve seen it before: a protected area is created that limits the types and amount of activities we can do in an area, but those activities are all allowed just outside the boundary. The problem is that wildlife don’t know about this boundary, and ecosystem processes happen across a much wider area. It’s important to create a protected area that gradually increases human activities beyond the boundary, sometimes called a “buffer zone”, giving wildlife an opportunity to adapt their behaviours and creating a core zone in the protected area where conservation benefits are plentiful.

3. Think about the bigger picture – It’s not enough to think about a single protected area in isolation. Science tells us that many protected areas have more benefits than few. We also know that a “network” of protected areas, where many protected areas are designed to work together to provide even greater benefits, are one of our best tools for conservation. When designing protected areas, we need to think about the bigger picture of conservation. How can our protected areas work together to ensure healthy ecosystems across the province? How can we limit our activities to give wildlife the best chance of survival across our municipalities and into our neighbouring provinces? These are questions we can ask as we build from 5% to 10% protected areas in New Brunswick.

4. Create an enabling conservation community – At the end of the day, it is up to people to make good choices for nature and to bring our protected areas to life. A good protected area is one built on good governance where laws and policies enable strong conservation action. Designing new protected areas in our province will need lots of collaboration from a community who can work together toward our conservation goals, creating protected areas that get the conservation job done.

5. Protected areas today for tomorrow – There’s no doubt about it: as climate continues to breakdown, things in our province are going to change – and this matters for the protected areas we create now. While we might be creating protected areas for 2020, we need to be thinking about what these will look like, and how they might be adapted, in 2021, 2030, and beyond. As environments change and wildlife shift in response to climate change, our protected areas may become more or less effective. New protected areas should be planned with the future in mind, ensuring that our conservation efforts remain effective and continue to protect wildlife and ecosystems in years to come.

With 2020 just around the corner, it is time to get to work! Our team at CPAWS-NB is eager to work together with governments, Indigenous Peoples, our fellow environmental non-profit organizations, and New Brunswickers to get this protected area story right. New Brunswick has an opportunity to do the conservation work that’s needed and do it well, leading by example in protecting the places that make Canada’s ecosystems so special.

Want to help? Tell your local representative that we need to keep the momentum going toward strong and effective protected areas. Sign your letter here!

Listen to what our Executive Director, Roberta Clowater, has to say about the province’s announcement last week here.

Header photo by Nick Hawkins

October 15 2019

Inspiration ignites on the Restigouche River

Steve Reid Blog wilderness stewardship program

A smooth stroke through calm water. The shimmering silver of a fish below the surface. The deep and quiet green of the forested shoreline. The sense that this place holds so much to explore. The Restigouche River is one of eastern Canada’s most spectacular, most inspiring wild watersheds, one for all New Brunswickers to enjoy.

This summer, CPAWS-NB greeted volunteers for our Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program with a two-day excursion into the Restigouche, and it was an experience we won’t soon forget! By why have us tell you about it when we can hear from the wonderful folks who joined us on the river? We asked Ross Kinney and Gracyn McLaughlin, two of our volunteers and stewards, to share their stories and insights.

For Ross, his time on the Restigouche River was most memorable. “It is one thing to hear about a place or see pictures, but to actually be in the midst of the rolling hills and winding riverbed and variety of trees is an impressive scene.” The Restigouche is a Canadian Heritage River, flowing across northwestern New Brunswick and Quebec’s Gaspé, through 1 million hectares of valleys, hills, and streams. For Gracyn, “experiencing the Restigouche made me feel inspired to promote and pursue conservation in New Brunswick” – a sentiment we share at CPAWS-NB!

For many, the Restigouche is only the beginning. New Brunswick has so much to offer in wilderness, so much to explore and protect. After his experience, Ross would like to see more of the Restigouche and to explore more of the province’s natural wonders. As Ross puts it, “we are fortunate to have such splendours in our backyard, and we have a responsibility to be mindful stewards and caretakers of what we’ve been given. NB alone has so many valuable and meaningful areas worthy of conservation.”

The Restigouche still needs protection that will preserve wilderness while supporting local ecotourism. Gracyn’s experience on the Restigouche opened her eyes to the importance of ecotourism in New Brunswick: “not only does it let people explore and visit areas they might not know about, but it also supports many locals who have a passion for the outdoors and want to get more people outside.” Ross shared a similar sentiment, saying that “being exposed to the natural world forces us to question our exploitation and abuse of it. Ecotourism can build momentum and awareness for the conservation movement, in addition to exposing generations to the wonders of the outdoors.”

Through the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program, both Gracyn and Ross will be working with CPAWS NB to build conservation projects in their own communities. We are excited to see how they will use their passion for conservation and their experience on the Restigouche to engage with others. Ross is looking forward to getting folks outside; “by engaging, exploring, and experiencing the wilderness, I hope people will be affected and choose to think more critically about our role in and responsibility for the natural world.”

The power of nature on the soul is something special—something Grace experienced as this experience awakened a passion for the outdoors. “So many people are not aware of the beauty they can see when they leave the house for just a few hours. I believe this experience will really make me want to promote the importance of protecting wildlife in New Brunswick and get people excited about being outside in such a technology driven society.”

Our hope at CPAWS-NB is that all New Brunswickers can enjoy a nature experience, whether on the Restigouche or closer to home. We can’t wait to watch these two volunteers connect with their communities and spread the conservation movement across the province. To learn more about the volunteers of the Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program, look for future editions of our blog at www.cpawsnb.org.

Photos by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

Author Bio: Brittany Dixon is the Conservation Engagement Coordinator with CPAWS-NB. Through her work with CPAWS, Brittany enjoys the opportunity to combine her love of outdoor exploration with a passion for nature conservation. It is her hope to share this passion with others to demonstrate the value and importance of protecting New Brunswick’s natural areas.