Blog

March 28 2019

Have you gotten your dose of vitamin N?

Getting outside and immersing ourselves in the local flora and fauna can help to relieve us of our ailments, both physical and mental, as we take in vitamin N – N for Nature. Scientists have invested lots of research hours in understanding the links between nature and our health. Experiencing a green space, either in a wilderness area or the urban nature of our cities, can reduce the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stress while boosting the immune system and improving our overall happiness and well-being [1]. As our understanding of these benefits grows, doctors are now even prescribing exposure to nature as a way to ward off some symptoms of illness!

Ecotherapy, also called nature therapy or green therapy, might be just what the doctor orders to reset, refocus, and recharge. When you try ecotherapy, you might be meditating in a wilderness setting, getting some exercise in the great outdoors, working a garden, or working on a conservation project, like restoring marshes or installing bird boxes. Ecotherapy can have lots of benefits for physical and mental health, in addition to improving the sense of routine, gaining and sharing knowledge and skills, and providing opportunities to socialize in safe communities [2]. An unintended outcome of ecotherapy is that it might help to create more environmental stewards by increasing public exposure to nature. As nature heals us, we might become more invested in protecting our wilderness as we have a deeper appreciation for the wild world around us [3]. Experiences in nature are important as we navigate an increasingly busy world, and they might be most important for youth.

In his famous novel Last Child in the Woods, author Richard Louv describes “nature deficit disorder” and explains how today’s youth are not getting enough vitamin N. Playing outside can help kids to be physically fit as they engage in active play – throwing, running, skipping, jumping, while improving their sensory skills as they analyze their surroundings, their learning abilities and creativity, their social awareness, and their attention span [4]. As the snow melts and the weather warms, make a commitment to playing outside, getting messy in nature, and breathing the fresh spring air.

There are so many benefits of nature for folks of all ages, and all you have to do to experience these benefits is get outside! If you can, visit a wild forest, riverbed, or coast outside of the city. A walk in the wilderness can reduce anxiety and negative feelings, like guilt, anger, fear, or a struggling self-image, even more than a similar walk would in the city and, better yet, the effects last longer [5]. Now that we are starting to thaw from a long winter, a long hike might be just what you need to shake the last of the winter blues. If you think you might be Vitamin N deficient, make a plan to visit a park near you this weekend!

References:

[1] Twohig-Bennett, C. & Jones, A. (2018). The health benefits of the great outdoors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and outcomes. Environmental Research, 166, 628-637.

[2] Wilson, N., Fleming, S., Jones, R., Lafferty, K., Cathrine, K., Seaman, P., & Knifton, L. (2010). Green shoots of recovery: the impact of a mental health ecotherapy programme. Mental Health Review Journal, 6, 4-14.

[3] Burls, A. (2007). People and green spaces: promoting public health and mental well-being through ecotherapy. Journal of Public Mental Health, 6, 24-39.

[4] Lund, D. (2018). Top 5 benefits of children playing outside. Sanford Health News. Accessed March 25, 2019 from https://news.sanfordhealth.org/childrens/play-outside/

[5] Bratman, G.N., Daily, G.C., Levy, B.J., & Gross, J.J. (2015). The benefits of nature experience: improved affect and cognition. Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 41-50.

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 Masters 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.

March 14 2019

Canada: A Conservation Super-nation!

Steve Reid Blog

Canada is the second largest country in the world, but only the 38^th most populated. Most Canadians live within 200km of the United States border, leaving the majority of the country as sparsely populated, or home lands for Indigenous peoples. The eight largest countries in the world, including Canada, together make up half of all land on Earth, but only 3% of all countries! The world’s largest nations have an important role in conservation, simply because of their size. As countries all around the world start to value and protect nature, what will Canada’s role be?

A new study describes the impact of the eight largest countries in conservation, based on having some of the world’s most important ecosystem characteristics, including wilderness area, accessible freshwater, productive oceans, habitat for migratory birds, storing carbon in soils, and support for species shifts in response to climate breakdown [1]. The researchers argue that these countries have the biggest opportunity and responsibility to act as leaders in conservation – because what they do matters most to conserving these ecosystem characteristics! Throughout their analysis, Canada is consistently among the most important countries when it comes to conservation.

Figure from Coristine et al. (2019) on global contributions to important ecosystem characteristics, showing that few countries have a significant role in conserving these characteristics.

In this study, Canada is reported to have the most wilderness area of any country! It’s important to know that much of this land is the homeland and territory for Indigenous peoples, and they have aboriginal and treaty rights that need to be honoured and respected. We also have an enormous responsibility to protect this wilderness, which will support wildlife and the delivery of globally important ecosystem services. Canada also houses a significant portion of the world’s freshwater supply and has a responsibility to carefully manage our water resources. This includes ocean resources, since Canada has the second largest continental shelf where ocean animals and human activities are abundant. In Canada’s north, soils of the boreal forest and tundra store mass amounts of global carbon. Protecting these soils will be critical in the fight against climate change. Finally, the size of Canada from north to south means that the country has the ability to support and protect species as they shift in response to changing environments. It is clear from this research that Canada should be living up to our potential position as a Conservation Super-Nation!

The policies we support and the actions we take in Canada to protect these ecosystem characteristics will be critically important to Canada and beyond. We have an opportunity as Canadians, in the spirit and intent of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, to demonstrate leadership in conservation. This will help us act on our important role in protecting the world’s wildlife and creating sustainable lifestyles. As New Brunswickers, we must do our part to protect wilderness and water.

New Brunswick ranks 11^th in its total area as the third smallest province in Canada. Small but mighty, our province is home to diverse ecosystems from land to sea: hilly landscapes, dense mixed forests, extensive rivers, numerous lakes, wetlands, and, of course, our coasts and oceans. It is no surprise with these rich habitats that New Brunswick is also rich in plants and animals, being home to more than 6000 species. By protecting our remaining wilderness and working to restore ecosystems from land to sea, New Brunswick can help wildlife at the local scale to support national and global conservation efforts.

While Canada may be a Conservation Super-Nation, it is up to all of us to ensure that we take that responsibility seriously. CPAWS-NB is dedicated to working with provincial, federal, territorial, and Indigenous governments to ensure that protected areas are a priority in New Brunswick and Canada. We are working hard to conserve our wilderness for today and tomorrow.

You can support CPAWS-NB in our conservation mission with a donation!

Add your voice to a CPAWS conservation campaign today!

Read the research paper here (access may be restricted).

References:

[1] Coristine, L.E., Colla, S., Bennett, N., Carrlsson, A., Davy, C., Davies, K.T.A., Favaro, B.,

Flockhart, D.T. T., Fraser, K., Orihel, D., Otto, S., Palen, W., Polfus, J.L., Venter, O., & Ford, A.T. (2019). National contributions to global ecosystem values. Conservation Biology, doi: 10.1111/cobi.13284.

Header photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elm Studios

February 28 2019

Wildlife Adaptation in Shifting Environments

Steve Reid Blog

Evidence of climate change is all around us: global average temperature is rising, wildfires are becoming more frequent and more common across Canada, snow and ice are melting faster, and flooding is becoming more severe. As we humans adapt to climate change, we are discovering new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint, protect our natural environment, and respond when disaster strikes. But what do all these changes mean for our furry and not so furry friends?

North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) , Photo by Nick Hawkins

As environments continue to shift, animals, too, are finding ways to adapt to these many changes. New Brunswick is a part-time home to many migrating species, from songbirds like orioles, thrushes, and warblers to large and endangered mammals like the North Atlantic right whale. As seasons continue to shift, animals are being forced to change their migration patterns to survive. If a species waits too long to migrate, it might be trapped in one environment and unable to make the journey. Species are finding new ways to adapt to these shifts in seasonality, overcoming climate change obstacles to complete their migrations.

Pink salmon of the Pacific Ocean are one of several species migrating earlier in response to climate change. Researchers at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks confirmed that the migration period of pink salmon is a genetic response rather than an environmental one¹. This means that the salmon are triggered to migrate by their genes rather than environmental conditions, representing a true adaptation! Since pink salmon are a short-lived species, typically surviving two years, they are more likely to adapt to climate change quickly compared to longer living salmon species. With time, other migrating fishes, like Atlantic salmon, may come to possess genes that trigger an earlier migration.

Snowy Owl in Flight, Photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

For many species, their survival depends on the changing of their coat or plumage. As winter comes later and spring comes sooner in a changing climate, are species able to keep up? Animals are triggered to change their coat by the amount of daily sunlight, not the amount of snow². So while our snow may melt earlier in the spring, the days do not grow longer at the same rate, leaving snowy owls snow white in a brown and grey forest. Research suggests that some species may be able to evolve to keep up with climate change. In a study of almost 200 wild hares, researchers at North Carolina State University found evidence of variation in when the hare’s coat changes color³. This could mean that the species is on the verge of adaptation to climate change! With time and a protected habitat, species may be able to adapt to seasonal changes and evolve to shed their fur and feathers earlier in the year.

For some species, a declining population occurs for many reasons: prey are not available, the species is over hunted or fished, habitat is lost to development, and new challenges emerge from climate change. For some species, the best available response to these pressures is to interbreed with other species, called species hybridization. There is evidence of species hybridization in many places around the world, including Canada! Researchers have found genetic evidence of interbreeding between southern and northern flying squirrels in Ontario following a series of warm winters that caused the southern flying squirrel to move northward⁴. Interbreeding between species typically produces offspring that are not as strong as the parent species, should the offspring survive at all. Often, if a hybrid offspring survives, they are not able to reproduce. While hybridization might be one adaptation pathway, there are a lot of hurdles for new hybrids species to overcome to survive and thrive in the face of climate change.

There is no question that many species are finding ways to adapt in ever-shifting environments; however, while many species are managing to survive, few are able to thrive. Should their environments shift at faster rates as climate change progresses, animals may not be able to adapt and evolve quickly enough. This is another reason why CPAWS-NB is advocating for a network of protected areas on land and at sea: to give our wildlife the best chance to adapt to climate change in protected habitats and healthy ecosystems. Protected areas will support native New Brunswick species as they slowly change their behaviours and their genes adapt to survive and thrive in shifting environments.

Header photo: Caribou by Bob Clarke; Creative Commons License 2.0

References

1 Kovach, R.P., Gharrett, A.J., & Tallmon, D.A. (2012). Genetic change for earlier migration timing in a pink salmon population. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 279, 3870-3878.

2 Langley, L. (2018). How color-changing animals are rebelling against climate change. National Geographic News. Retrieved February 14, 2019: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/animals-climate-change-winter-evolution/.

3 Marris, E. (2014). Can snowshoe hares evolve to cope with climate change? National Geographic News. Retrieved February 14, 2019: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140717-snowshoe-hares-climate-change-environment-animals-science/

4 Garroway, C.J., Bowman, J., Cascaden, T.J., Holloway, G.J., Mahan, C.G., Malcolm, J.R., . . . & Wilson, P.J. (2010). Climate change induced hybridization in flying squirrels. Global Change Biology, 16, 113-121.

Jess Baxter is the Program Support person at the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick and a volunteer of CPAWS-NB. As an avid nature lover, Jess enjoys getting outdoors and spends her free time hiking, camping and exploring New Brunswick. Jess is passionate about environmental and animal welfare and is excited to be contributing to the CPAWS-NB blog!

February 14 2019

Embrace Nature this Valentine’s Day

Steve Reid Blog

It can be a tough time of year to get outside, unless it is to shovel again, between snow storms, blizzards, and coats of freezing rain, but with only four more weeks of winter (according to Shubenacadie Sam), February might be the last month to really enjoy the crisp quiet of a winter morning or the fresh air of new snowfall. Winter is a really dreamy season, which is perfect for the festivities of February 14! Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, enjoying Galentine’s Day with a best girlfriend, or practicing self-love today, embrace nature this Valentine’s Day on one of these perfect outdoor dates.

1.Try star gazing

Starry Night, Photo by 白士李, Creative Commons Licence 2.0

On a cool and clear night, star gazing is a date activity not to be missed. If you can, head out of the city to escape the bright lights. As a Dark Sky Preserve, Mount Carleton Provincial Park may be the perfect place for this date night during a winter camping adventure! Bring a blanket and a thermos full of your favourite hot drink to really cozy up while you take in the sights and sounds of a winter’s night. Before you head out, read up on what stars and planets you can see this month to impress your date (or yourself).

2. Go for a bike ride

Yes, you read that correctly. With ample snow, New Brunswick is the perfect province to have a go at winter fat biking. You can rent a fat bike at three provincial parks and two national parks in New Brunswick, making it an easy and adventurous date activity. Don’t forget to look for signs of wildlife while you ride, and take breaks to really appreciate the nature around you!

Parlee Brook Amphitheatre, Photo by Mairi Simmonds

3. Enjoy a winter hike

Saving your Valentine’s Day celebrations for this weekend? If the weather cooperates, take your loved one(s) out for a winter adventure! Strap on your snowshoes, rent a pair, or opt for your boots to hike one of these top New Brunswick trails. Don’t forget to bring water and some snacks. Maybe even pack a zero-waste winter picnic; keeping food chilled won’t be a problem this time of year!

4. Go sledding

Sledding blends the nostalgia of childhood with simplicity— maybe you want to save learning to ski or snowboard for a second date. After this week’s fresh snowfall, bundle up, grab an old toboggan, and head out to your favourite sledding hill. Combine this date with #2 at Mactaquac Provincial Park, which is open until 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday and features a lit sledding hill!

5. Hit the beach

This idea might sound crazy, but beaches in the winter can be so special. You’ll want to dress warm and for all weather before you head out for a peaceful stroll. Enjoy the whisper of the breaking waves and breathe in the crisp salty air. New Brunswick’s coasts are beautiful all year round! Remember that seas are rougher in the winter, and you’ll want to carefully respect the tide and keep your distance.

As the days slowly grow longer and the frigid wind starts to ease, embrace the natural winter wonders of New Brunswick; before we know it, summer will be here again! Remember that winter comes with its own set of hazards, so take the appropriate precautions to stay warm and safe outside in this slippery season. This Valentine’s Day give Mother Nature a big hug and get outside with your partner, Galentine, friends, or family to show all the love you have for New Brunswick’s wilderness!

For more ideas of things to do outside this winter, catch up on this CPAWS-NB blog post.

CPAWS-NB wishes you a loving, happy, and nature-filled Valentine’s Day!

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.

January 31 2019

10 Underrated species of the Bay of Fundy

Steve Reid Blog, Ocean Campaigns Bay of Fundy

When I think of the Bay of Fundy, a few things come to mind: a salty breeze, tangled hair, and the blow of a whale. For most of us, when we think of Fundy wildlife, we are quick to list the whales, the seals, the sharks, and maybe a few of the more delicious fish and shellfish, but the Bay is bursting with a huge diversity of species that rarely see the spotlight. While there are many more than just ten species that deserve their 15 seconds of fame, join me as I highlight a few of Fundy’s unsung heroes.

1. Sea potato – It seems only fitting that in a potato-growing province like New Brunswick, we would have both land and sea potatoes. Of course, the sea potato is a very different creature! The sea potato is a type of urchin that, when dried, looks like a peeled potato. Sea potatoes live at the bottom of the Bay in vibrant ecosystems with other urchins, sea stars, crabs, and corals. They like to bury themselves in the sand and will filter tiny food from the flowing water. Sometimes this species is called the heart urchin, but I prefer sea potato given our province’s history with agriculture.

Winter flounder, photo by Nick Hawkins

2. Winter flounder – Okay, as a commercial fish species you might not think the flounder is underrated, but let’s just talk about how neat this fish is. Flounder are born like most other fish, with eyes on either side of their head, but as they age their left eye will migrate the join the right! This is how flounder are successful predators from the sea floor, they lie at the bottom with both eyes facing up until prey approaches, which might be a small or young fish, shrimp, ocean worms, or even clams. The winter flounder can also tolerate a wide range of salty environments, making it well suited to the sometimes less salty areas of the Bay where rivers meet the ocean.

3. Winged kelp – Kelp is amazing. Sea kelps can be among the fastest growing organisms on the planet! Kelp are primary producers, turning the sun’s energy into the base of the food web and producing the oxygen we breathe. Winged kelp, like other kelp species, have many benefits for us humans! Extracts from winged kelp can protect our youthful skin and has been used in beauty care products. More recently, extracts from winged kelp have been studied by scientists as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease¹.

4. Horse mussels – The less popular mussel of the Bay of Fundy since it is not often served with garlic butter, the horse mussel is an important species for creating habitat in the Bay. As sand and mud move across the seafloor with the tides, this sediment gets caught in the threads that attach mussels to hard surfaces. Once old mussels die and muddy sediment builds up around mussels, a reef grows! These horse mussel reefs provide habitat for other bottom-dwelling species, creating refuge from predators and protecting species from the strong Fundy tides. In fact, the Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s largest known horse mussel reef!

A black guillemot with prey, photo by Nick Hawkins

5. Black guillemot – A deep black bird with bright white wing patches, and vivid red feet, the black guillemot is a relative of the puffin and is abundant around the Bay. We are fortunate to witness many migrating birds in the region, but this more common and sometimes less exciting bird is a beauty! The black guillemot is a diving bird, eating small fish, shrimps, and other invertebrates. A funny little bird, some black guillemots show a preference for which direction the head of a fish points when held in its bill!

6. Atlantic herring – While it is admittedly not the most exciting fish in the Bay of Fundy, the Atlantic herring is an extremely important species to the vibrant ecosystem we know and love. As the water warms and the krill bloom, herring too become abundant in the Bay and attract the famous whales, seabirds, and sharks to Fundy for their annual fish feed. Atlantic herring aren’t only an ecologically important species in the Bay, but they have formed our maritime culture in many ways from weir to cannery.

7. Spiny dogfish shark – Great whites, porbeagles, basking, and other big sharks frequent the Fundy waters, but have you heard of this little shark? The spiny dogfish shark grows to be about one meter long and has a reputation for relentlessly stalking its prey. This is a schooling shark, forming groups of hundreds or even thousands of individuals! It is also a commercially important species and has historically been fished for the oil in its liver that was used in lamps and for machine lubricants.

8. Acadian hermit crab – A classic touch-tank species, the hermit crab is arguably the Bay of Fundy’s cutest crustacean. As the crab grows, it must exchange its shell for one of greater size, meaning that unlike other crustaceans it doesn’t grow its own shell! Instead, its abdomen is soft and looks a bit like a cooked lobster tail. Despite their names, hermit crabs do best when surrounded by other crabs. This crab likes to live in large colonies, sometimes of more than 100 individuals!

Skate photo by Steve Reid

9. Winter skate – No, I don’t mean ice skates. A skate is a relative of sharks and rays, having a diamond-shaped body like stingrays, but a thicker tail and no sting, though this skate does have small thorns on its body. The winter skate tends to live on or near the seafloor, growing to be 1.5 meters in length and living for about 20 years! The winter skate is listed as “threatened” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), which resulted in the closure of a small directed fishery for this species.

10. Northern Shortfin Squid – The Northern shortfin squid is among the many seasonal visitors to the Bay of Fundy, being a highly migratory species in the Atlantic Ocean. Like other squid and squid-relatives, this species avoids predation using camouflage, ink release, jet propelled water to escape, and by living in large schools of squid. These squid lay long, jelly-like balloons of 10 to 100 thousand eggs, but individuals live for less than a year! If you’re lucky, you might see these egg balloons along the Bay of Fundy coast.

While I’ve highlighted only a few underrated species in this list, remember that the Bay of Fundy is home to more than 2000 species of plants and animals! While these species have different conservation status’, meaning that some are common and others are at risk, each has an important role in the ecosystem and is threatened by an unprotected Bay of Fundy.

A network of marine protected areas in the Bay of Fundy would increase the likelihood that each of these species is captured at some life stage in a protected area where human impacts are reduced. Marine protected areas need to strategically target both species that are in the greatest need of protection and the abundant species that support a healthy ecosystem. That’s why CPAWS-NB is working hard to see the establishment of a network of protected areas in the Bay of Fundy, and we need your help! Add your voice to our campaign for this network by visiting http://www.protectbayoffundy.ca.

Header photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

References:

Giffin, J.C., Richards, R.C., Craft, C., Jahan, N., Leggiadro, C., . . . & Ewart, K.V. (2017). An extra of the marine alga Alaria esculenta modulates a-synuclein folding and amyloid formation. Neuroscience Letters, 644, 87-93.

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.

January 17 2019

A big year for Canada’s big biodiversity goals

Steve Reid Blog, Uncategorized

Here we are, about two weeks into the new year and settling in to our new resolutions and routines. You might have set some ambitious goals to for this year, and so has Canada. Through partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, our country has set four major goals for biodiversity to reach by 2020.

These four goals include 19 different targets. Some of these goals and targets might be quite familiar to you. Target 1, for example, which aims to protect 17% of land and inland water and 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020, comes up more frequently in the media than other targets. Other goals and targets might be less familiar as they relate to particular industries or actions. So, what exactly is Canada planning for our wildlife and ecosystems? Let’s break these biodiversity goals down.

Photo by Peter Reimer

Goal A: By 2020, Canada’s lands and waters are planned and managed using an ecosystem approach to support biodiversity conservation outcomes at local, regional, and national scales.

Through Goal A, Canada aims to safeguard our lands, waters, and the biodiversity within them against human impacts, ensuring that Canadian ecosystems can continue to deliver the many services that we depend on. Goal A includes Targets 1 to 5, which call for increased protected area coverage (Target 1); protection and recovery of species, including endangered species (Target 2); protection of wetlands and their many important functions, like water filtration (Target 3), better inclusion of biodiversity in municipal planning (Target 4), and an understanding of how Canadian ecosystems will adapt to climate change (Target 5). Goal A calls for the ecosystem approach, which means considering the complex relationships of an ecosystem, including relationships between biodiversity, with humans, and the non-living environment, when planning for conservation.

Photo by Julie Reimer

Goal B: By 2020, direct and indirect pressures as well as cumulative effects on biodiversity are reduced, and production as well as consumption of Canada’s biological resources are more sustainable.

Goal B includes eight of the 19 targets directed at natural resource use in Canada and the impacts of these uses on biodiversity and ecosystems. Some targets under Goal B focus on particular industries, including forestry (Target 6), agriculture (Target 7), aquaculture (Target 8), and fisheries (Target 9). Other targets aim to reduce pollution in Canadian waters (Target 10); to prevent the spread of invasive species (Target 11); to maintain the sustainable use of natural resources by Indigenous Peoples (Target 12); and to apply new ways for conserving biodiversity. To reduce cumulative effects, planners must consider how different actions and uses of biodiversity and ecosystems interact to create bigger problems. Goal B deals with changing the ways that Canadians interact with biodiversity to improve conservation and ensure future use.

Goal C: By 2020, Canadians have adequate and relevant information about biodiversity and ecosystem services to support conservation planning and decision-making.

Goal C aims to better prepare our planners and decision-makers by arming them with the best available knowledge to make informed decisions when it comes to conservation. Through its four targets, Goal C calls for new and more accessible biodiversity science (Target 14); stronger respect for and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge (Target 15); a complete list of Canada’s protected areas (Target 16); and an improved economic understanding of biodiversity and the benefits provided by ecosystems (Target 17). This goal is all about improving science and knowledge of Canada’s biodiversity.

Photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elm Studios

Goal D: By 2020, Canadians are informed about the value of nature and more actively engaged in its stewardship.

Goal D is about encouraging Canadians to become better acquainted with our biodiversity. The final two targets call for the inclusion of biodiversity in elementary and high school lessons (Target 18) and growth in the number of Canadians getting outside and into nature (Target 19). Goal D is one that each and every one of us can get involved in today, tomorrow, or this weekend!

These are some ambitious goals! With 30% of the boreal forest, 20% of the world’s freshwater, the world’s longest coastline, and many vibrant ecosystems, there is a lot of biodiversity in Canada worth conserving. We know what needs to be done to protect nature and to ensure that all Canadians continue to benefit from healthy ecosystems, now we need to get to work. In this last year of action, CPAWS-NB encourages New Brunswickers to engage with their local officials and communities to spread the conservation message. Not only do we need more protected areas and new strategies for conserving natural resources, but we also need more passionate New Brunswickers to speak up for nature in 2019!

To read Canada’s four goals and 19 targets, check out this flyer.

Read more on the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada here.

Catch up on CPAWS report on Parks and Protected Areas to 2020 and Beyond released this summer.

Read more on the Pathway to Canada Target 1 here.

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.

January 3 2019

Setting your conservation resolution

Steve Reid Blog

As 2018 draws to a close, most of us are looking forward to the exciting adventures, opportunities, and promises of a new year. Maybe you’re starting to dream up your new healthy living resolution, your re-energized dedication to volunteering, your commitment to actually drinking enough water every day. As we set our New Year’s Resolutions for a brighter 2019, maybe you want to do things a little differently this year. For each personal resolution you set, try setting one of these conservation resolutions for nature!

1. Get a little muddy outside each week

One of the best things you can do for nature is experience it! Grab an old pair of muckers and explore a local wetland with your family, lace up your hiking boots for a longer-than-usual trek on a New Brunswick trail, or join CPAWS-NB or another environmental group for an outdoor event. Get started by trying these 10 outdoor activities this winter and remember to be kind to nature, leaving plants and animals in their habitats and no trace that you were there.

2. Protect your backyard ecosystem

Whether it’s your actual backyard, a local park, or a nearby trail, be an environmental champion this year and protect the natural areas around you. Make your backyard wildlife-friendly by avoiding herbicides and pesticides, leaving bird fledglings or other babies where you find them, and leaving natural food and water sources in place. Consider planting a pollinator garden this year, full of native New Brunswick flowers or even leave some of those weedy plants this spring as wildlife awakens from the chill of winter.

Photo by Monica Shaw

3. Learn about local conservation science

New Brunswick is fortunate to be home to some amazing wildlife and ecosystem scientists, and a lot of excellent research that guides conservation in forests, rivers, and oceans. This year, make an effort to visit one of the province’s universities for a public talk, stop by a scientific conference poster session, or get involved with citizen science opportunities in your neighbourhood. Don’t forget about CPAWS-NB’s new “Tuesday Talks” speaker series showcasing conservation science and action in our province!

4. Visit New Brunswick’s coast

Sometimes those of us living in inland New Brunswick forget that our province has coasts on three sides! With groups like CPAWS-NB working hard to see the creation of new protected areas in our coastal and marine environments, we need the voices of New Brunswickers like you to tell political leaders that these ecosystems are important to you. And what better way to share that message than with personal stories about our amazing coastal areas? This year, challenge yourself to visit coastal communities in northern, eastern, and southern New Brunswick to stroll along a beach, hike a coastal trail, get out on the water, and enjoy the fruits of local fisheries. Then share your story with us, so we can inspire more nature protection!

5. Write a monthly letter to decision-makers

One of the most important actions we can take as concerned and engaged citizens is to tell our local decision-makers and political leaders that nature is important to us. This year resolve to write one letter each month to a decision-maker advocating for conservation in the province. Choose different leaders, issues, or regions each month, or continually advocate for change in the area most important to you. Take this resolution a step forward by encouraging 5 friends or family members to write letters with you each month! CPAWS NB would be happy to help you organize a letter-writing party.

Photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

6. Support a conservation organization

The conservation organizations in New Brunswick are almost all non-profits and rely each year on the charitable donations of citizens to continue working toward our shared conservation goals. This year consider making a one-time or regular donation to a conservation organization. A strategy for taking on this resolution is to give up one personal expense per month and instead choose to donate that value to an organization of your choice! Donations to CPAWS-NB can be made online, here.

7. Visit a provincial park each month

New Brunswick is home to nine provincial parks scattered from north to south and east to west, in addition to two national parks and one international park! Make it your goal this year to visit a park each month, perhaps the same favourite or go a step further and aim to visit each of the 12 parks in 2019. Bring your friends and family with you to share in the experience and enjoy the beautiful nature of New Brunswick! Learn more about the provincial parks here.

As 2019 fast approaches and we all start to envision the year ahead, make it your goal to reconnect with the amazing nature of New Brunswick over the next 12 months. Set your conservation resolution today and encourage your friends and families to do the same! Follow CPAWS-NB on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with conservation news and events this year.

From the CPAWS-NB staff, board, and volunteers, we wish you all a happy, healthy, and nature-filled new year!

Header Photo by Justin Dutcher, Dutch Elms Studios

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.

December 20 2018

Noise in nature: turning down the volume in protected areas

Steve Reid Blog, Uncategorized

By: Sandra Bender

Shh—do you hear that owl hooting? Frog croaking? Moose calling?

The sounds we encounter as we move through nature make up a soundscape that is as much a part of our wilderness experiences as what we see. Unfortunately, nature’s hubbub isn’t the only thing reaching our ears as we enjoy the outdoors. Increasingly, so is the noise of human activities, like the boom of pile drivers, the roar of boat and ATV engines, and the hum of traffic. The chatter of animal life we hear as we move through nature is an integral part of healthy ecosystems. Bernie Krause, a renowned naturalist and musician who has spent over 40 years recording and studying the sounds of nature, calls this soundscape the biophony of an ecosystem.

Bull elk bugling in Mammoth Hot Springs photo by Jim Peaco; Creative Commons License 1.0

This is how a biophony works: each species occupies a particular space within the soundscape of their ecosystem, like a forest or an ocean (Krause, 2012). There they can make the sounds that help them communicate within their environment. They can chirp, growl, yap, click, or tweet without interfering with other species in the habitat. Each ecosystem has its own natural conversation that follows rules and norms, similar to a human conversation where each person has their say and can be heard when talking in a group. For species in an ecosystem, who can be heard, when and how can mean the difference between life and death.

When animals become stressed by an unexpected or traumatic event, such as human-generated noise, the biophony is disrupted. Species go silent, sounds become chaotic, and animals flee. Eventually animals will re-find their voices and return to their natural place within the soundscape, but until this happens animals are stressed and more vulnerable to predators. Getting back to a healthy soundscape can take days, months, or even years.

Humans disrupt the soundscape more and more. However,it isn’t the only aspect of natural areas that are affected by our noise, and the consequences are numerous. Studies show that human noise can affect species physiology and behaviour, which can affect their health and survival. For example, ship engines and ocean resource exploration increase the stress hormones in whales living in the Arctic, and, in some cases, cause them to leave the feeding grounds that they have relied on for years. Our noisy activities impact wildlife communication, reproduction, ability to avoid predation, and physiological health. Noise affects habitat selection and the ability to find food. It even impacts the survival of plants by altering the behaviour of pollinators, like birds and butterflies. The impacts tend to ripple through an ecosystem, affecting wildlife from small plants to large predators.

Deepwater horizon response photo by Patrick Kelley; Creative Commons License 2.0

Human noise is increasing and impacting more places on the planet, including wilderness and protected areas. The most significant noise comes from road and airplane traffic, resource extraction, construction, city expansion, and energy production, like dams. Oceans in particular are experiencing an alarming rise in human noise. According to research conducted by the Scripps Whale Acoustic Lab, ocean noise levels have been doubling every decade for the past 50 years. Scientists say that shipping and resource drilling and exploration have created a underwater droning that is now constant and heard almost everywhere. They warn if we continue to increase our noise, wildlife like whales may have nowhere to go to escape it.

Clearly, human noise is a serious problem, but with protected areas we may be able to preserve nature’s soundscape from the impacts of noise. Protected areas are often quieter than surrounding lands, especially when protecting wilderness away from roads or other developments. This suggests that protecting wilderness areas has an important role in preserving natural soundscapes and reducing the negative impacts of noise. When creating protected areas, we should consider all components of a healthy ecosystem, and that includes the soundscape.

Other regions have been successful at protecting the soundscape from human noise. In Colorado, an air traffic corridor directs planes away from Rocky Mountain National Park and concentrates the noise of air and road traffic in one area. In the ocean, restricting the number and speed of ships in areas that are important for whale mating, feeding and migrating can reduce harmful noise impacts to whales that rely heavily on the soundscape. Some protected areas also aim to reduce noise coming from everyday users, like those of us enjoying a hike in a park. In California’s Muir Woods National Monument, quiet areas and quiet activities are encouraged and have successfully reduced noise when quiet signs are posted. Protected areas in New Brunswick might also benefit from efforts to reduce noise impacts from our highways, cities, and daily activities.

Traffic in Mount Carleton Provincial Park photo by Mark D’Arcy

When we think of nature, we often think about the “peace and quiet” of wilderness. For the health of all species, including humans, we need to preserve the quiet of these special places. Protected areas might be our best opportunity to preserve the pristine and healthy ecosystems of New Brunswick on land and at sea. With new protected areas, New Brunswick ecosystems may be filled with the songs of birds, the calls of coyotes, and the conversations of whales long into the future.

Experience the soundscape from home by visiting The Great Animal Orchestra.

Header photo of the Miscou Island peat bog courtesy of New Brunswick Tourism.

References:

Buxton, R. (2017). Human noise pollution is disrupting parks and wild places. The conversation. Retrieved December 3, 2018 from https://theconversation.com/human-noise-pollution-is-disrupting-parks-and-wild-places-78074

Dupuis-Desormeaux, N. (2017). Tutti! – Music Composition as Dialogue. York University.

Grossman, E. (2010). Noise Reduces Ocean Habitat for Whales.Scientific American. October 22, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2018 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/noise-reduces-ocean-habitat-for-whales/

Krause, B. (2012). The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group.

My Colorado Parks. (2013). New quiet rules for jets flying over Rocky Mountain National Park. MyColaradoParks.com. Retrieved December 4, 2018 from https://www.mycoloradoparks.com/news/new-quiet-rules-for-jets-flying-over-rocky-mountain-national-park

National Research Council (US) Committee on Potential Impacts of Ambient Noise in the Ocean on Marine Mammals. (2003). Ocean Noise and Marine Mammals. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Stack, D.W. & Newman P. (2011). Reducing visitor noise levels at Muir Woods National Monument using experimental management. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America,129, 1375.

Stafford, K. (2016).How human noise affects ocean habitats. Ted Talk. Retrieved December 3, 2018 from https://www.ted.com/talks/kate_stafford_how_human_noise_affects_ocean_habitats?language=en#t-560025 Oceanographer

December 6 2018

10 Ways to Enjoy Nature This Winter

Steve Reid Blog

By: Heidi Harding

Welcome to a winter wonderland! New Brunswick offers so many opportunities for enjoying nature in every season, but winter offers something special for everyone. Try one of these ten winter activities over the holidays or check them all off your list throughout the winter season.

Photo by Heidi Harding

1. Learn to identify animal tracks

Winter means snow, and snow is perfect for spotting and identifying animal tracks. The morning after a snowfall is the perfect time for a walk along the edge of a forest, across a field, or even through your own backyard, keeping an eye out for the trails of animals who’ve been traveling through the evening or early morning. There are many resources for identifying individual tracks, or to learn more about identifying animal trails.

2.Make your own tracks

Snowy trails are perfect for cross country skiing and snow-shoeing. Try the cross-country ski trails at Sugarloaf Provincial Park, Mactaquac Provincial Park, or Mount Carleton, or try Sugarloaf’s dedicated snow shoeing trails. No equipment of your own? You don’t need to miss out! Snowshoes and cross-country skis are available to borrow or rent in many places across New Brunswick. Check out the New Brunswick Tourism Rental Roundup for a full listing!

3. Hike to the top of a hill, then sled down

Did you know that Mactaquac Provincial Park has two groomed sledding hills that have been ranked among the top ten in Canada? Sledding is fun for all ages, and a favourite of children everywhere (plus, climbing up hills is great exercise). Mactaquac’s sledding hills are even lighted, so you can enjoy a family sledding excursion at night! Check out CBC’s Slide Guide for the top 6 sledding destinations in New Brunswick!

Photo by Peter Reimer

4. Enjoy a winter night

Winter nights are deeply dark and lingering. The sun sets early, and on a cold, clear night the skies light up. Winter stargazing can be breathtaking, though you will want to dress warmly! Winter nights are also a good time to take up night photography. Check out the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – New Brunswick for weekly astronomical highlights.

5. Get adventurous with winter camping

Want to enjoy those winter nights right through until dawn? Try winter camping! Gathering around a cozy campfire is even better when it’s truly cold out. Fundy National Park offers a variety of winter camping options, while backcountry winter camping is available at Kouchibouguac National Park. Before you go, make sure you’re prepared for winter conditions, and bring an experienced winter camper.

6. Try your hand at ice fishing

Big Nictau Lake, in Mount Carleton Provincial Park, is a popular ice-fishing destination for perch, trout, and salmon. The park re-opens for winter use during daylight hours beginning on December 27th, and ice fishing season starts on January 1st. Bring your angling license and equipment!

7. Enjoy a skate on the natural ice of a pond or lake

There are few things more Canadian than the image of children skating or playing hockey on a frozen pond or lake. Prefer to go for an evening skate? Enjoy the lighted skating pond at Mactaquac Provincial Park!

8. Go for a walk in the snow

A walk through a snowy forest has a certain magic to it. Snow seems to make things quieter than usual. The bare trees make it easy to spot the movements of birds and squirrels. The wind blows through the trees, snow might fall, sunlight may glitter across the snow, or stormy dark clouds might lurk behind the snowy forest. Whether in the heart of a provincial park, on a city trail, or in your own backyard, stopping to appreciate the magic of a winter day is always worthwhile.

Photo by Heidi Harding

9. Capture the wonder of winter with photography

Winter landscapes can be stark or magical. Close-up shots of snowflakes, ice crystals, or frost-covered plants can be mesmerizingly beautiful. Capturing these on camera can be rewarding and can result in stunning works of art. Whether you prefer to get out there and start snapping or to prepare with some helpful tips, be sure to give winter photography a try!

10. Come to a Tuesday Talk!

Come out to a Tuesday Talk with CPAWS NB at the Abbey Café & Gallery in Fredericton. Learn more about research and conservation issues affecting the natural areas and wildlife of New Brunswick while staying warm inside. The next Tuesday Talk is scheduled for January 22. Join us for a discussion of protected areas for the North Atlantic right whale in the Bay of Fundy.

CPAWS-NB hopes you’ll take advantage of the provincial parks and New Brunswick’s outdoors to get closer with nature with each visit. Remember that the parks are meant for all New Brunswickers and visitors to enjoy, and that we are responsible for taking care of our environment. When you visit, be sure to take all garbage and refuse with you when you leave, keep dogs on a leash and clean up after them, and respect nature by leaving it in the park.

Visit here for more information on New Brunswick Provincial Parks.

Header photo by Peter Reimer

November 22 2018

Wildlife from urban to rural and conservation in between

Steve Reid Blog

When you think of nature and wildlife in the city, what do you see? Raccoons, squirrels, pigeons. Most of us think of animals that interact with us in our day-to-day lives, picking through our compost, scampering across power lines, and pecking about busy sidewalks. Our cities are bursting with biodiversity, from plants and fungi to predators and their prey. As habitats become increasingly impacted by urban sprawl, construction, and development, wildlife are increasingly forced into urban areas, and we have more and more interactions with them.

Barred Owl in Fredericton, photo by Steve Reid

Historically, humans and wildlife sharing urban spaces has been cast in an unfavourable light, where wildlife are labelled as pests, nuisances, and threats that need to be managed. As more species learn to live in urban environments, we need to balance these sometimes-negative impacts with the many positive impacts of wildlife in our cities. Urban wildlife, and nature in general, provide all kinds of benefits to our communities: they pollinate our gardens; they control other pest species through predation; and they clean our air and water. Beyond these benefits, urban wildlife provide important links between cities and wilderness. While many species survive and thrive in urban environments, like migrating osprey, others pass through urban settings on their way to wilderness areas, like moose.

The local parks and natural spaces in New Brunswick’s cities provide lots of different habitats, including forests, wetlands, streams, and rivers. Ensuring that these habitats remain healthy not only protects the wildlife living there, but also allows these animals to disperse to rural areas and into the wilderness. By acting as habitat stepping stones, urban habitats help wildlife to successfully navigate through our cities on the way to important mating, nesting, and feeding grounds. Urban areas should not be discounted in conservation, as they provide patches of healthy habitat that supports wildlife populations in habitats that are increasingly divided by urban sprawl and development. It’s important that we preserve these urban habitats to ensure that they can support local and visiting wildlife into the future.

Deer photo by Julie Reimer

While our efforts at CPAWS-NB focus strongly on protecting wilderness, we also know that preserving urban habitats is important to both New Brunswick wildlife and New Brunswickers. Natural spaces in the city help us to get outside and get moving, provide hands-on opportunities to learn about nature, and create a sense of peace and well-being in our communities. For those of us living in the city, most of our animal encounters are with urban wildlife in urban habitats. We can preserve those habitats by respecting nature during our trail hikes and by leaving no trace when we visit natural spaces in or near the city. To live harmoniously with urban wildlife, and to experience all of the benefits that wildlife bring to our cities, we need to understand and respect wildlife behaviours.

Napping Raccoon, photo by Steve Reid

As winter starts to settle in, keep your eyes and ears alert for wildlife in the city. Remember, animals have evolved over time to be adapted to our cold and stormy winters. It can be tempting to feed passing deer and scavenging squirrels, but they are more than capable of keeping themselves healthy through the season. Let wildlife be wild and enjoy their presence from a respectable distance.

Want to learn about protected areas in New Brunswick? Click here.

Discover protected areas in the province with the ExploreEcoNB app.

Header photo “Bald eagle in Fredericton’s Carleton Park” by Julie Reimer

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.