Biodiversity Plans

Native Tree and Shrub Planting

BBEMA is currently involved in a variety of biodiversity initiatives within the Bedeque Bay watershed. We are in the process of implementing biodiversity enhancement plans on 17 properties within the watershed, collaborating with a variety of landowners to increase tree and shrub diversity in hedgerows and riparian zones. This will in turn help to increase animal diversity by providing habitat and a variety of food sources for wildlife in this geographic area.

These biodiversity enhancement plans were initiated by assessing the interest of local landowners during the nitrate clinic co-hosted by BBEMA and the province in the Community of Kinkora in January 2008. Aerial photos and GIS were used to map these properties and establish site specific planting plans that will not only enhance habitat but also decrease water and wind erosion of soil, and protect waterways in an agricultural landscape. In cooperation with landowners we have selected different assemblages of trees and shrubs, suited to the conditions on each property, acquired from the J.F. Gaudet tree nursery and the Provincial government’s Greening Spaces Program.

CAMP

BBEMA is involved in the Community Aquatics Monitoring Program (CAMP), which is being carried out in a number of watersheds within Prince Edward Island and across the Maritimes. The aim of CAMP is to engage communities in monitoring the health of their own estuaries. By assessing the biodiversity of fish and crustacean species that can be found along the coast of the Bedeque Bay, as well as keeping an eye out for the possible presence of aquatic invasive species, researchers and community members alike can learn just how healthy their coastal waters are.

    Using a beach seine, sampling of fish and crustaceans are conducted at six different stations in the Summerside site. The number of animals and the different species caught in the net are recorded, providing information on the abundance and diversity of aquatic species in the area. These animals are then released back to the water. Various other parameters, such as weather conditions, dissolved oxygen in the water, and types and abundance of algae present are collected, and a physical description of the shoreline at each station is recorded. This information is then analyzed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and will give indications of the overall health of the estuary and the watershed.

 Download the 2008 CAMP fleld sampling results poster

Pollinator Habitat

BBEMA continues to promote the importance of protecting and enhancing habitat for pollinator species, especially bees. Approximately a third of the food we eat comes from plants pollinated by bee species, unfortunately pollinator habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate.  BBEMA is working with local landowners to enhance pollinator habitat  through the development of pollinator gardens.  Additionally BBEMA is working with Dept of Agriculture to study pollinator ecosystem heath, and enhancement through the development of study plots - the planting of Echinacea (coneflower) and Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan) flowers on the berm at the Maple Plains Agri-Environmental Demonstration site. Continued long term monitoring of the berm for insect polpulation and species counts will determine the success of such enhancement initiatives in agricultural areas.  BBEMA is also constructing solitary bee nesting boxes to provide habitat for specific pollinators, and is hosting a pollinator information workshop during Environment Week to educate the public about how everyone can enhance backyard habitats for these helpful insects.