We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on conservation strategies to protect species at risk on farmlands.
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Nature NB values the important role many agricultural producers play in providing local food, supporting local economies, and serving as stewards for wildlife. Farms of all shapes and sizes provide habitat for species of conservation concern, such as the iconic Bobolink, the elusive Wood Turtle, and the acrobatic Barn Swallow.
With support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the NB Environmental Trust Fund, Nature NB has led the creation of a collaborative conservation plan for agricultural areas in the Wolastoq – Saint John River watershed. This region is both a hotspot for agriculture and species of conservation concern. Our agroecosystems team works to conserve or protect key ecosystems that provide habitat for over 10 species at-risk, including farm infrastructure, grasslands, riparian areas, wetlands, woodlands, and other farmland, like orchards and row crops.
Wolastoq Watershed
The Wolastoq (Saint John) River watershed begins in separate streams in Maine, USA and Québec coming together to form a 673 km river, flowing through a large part of New Brunswick before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. Large portions of the watershed are classified as active agricultural land in both the upper and lower sections of the river.
Which species at risk rely on agricultural landscapes?
Agriculture landscapes offer important habitat to many species of conservation concern and of cultural importance, including:
- Barn Swallow
- Common Nighthawk
- Bobolink
- Little Brown Myotis
- Monarch
- Wood Turtle
- Butternut
- Bald Eagle
What can you do?
Give nesting swallows or roosting bats in your barns/sheds space, or invite them to your farm with nesting boxes or bat houses
Shine outdoor lights toward the ground and pick warm colour light to help insects and pollinators
Maintain and expand natural buffer zones along streams and wetlands
Delay your first cut of hay until mid-July to help nesting grassland birds
Partners
- Global Conservation Solutions
- NB Natural Resource and Energy Development (NRED)
- NB Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
- World Wildlife Fund- Canada (WWF)
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Agriculture Alliance of New Brunswick
- University of New Brunswick (UNB)
- Environment And Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service
- Nature Trust of New Brunswick (NTNB)
- Birds Canada
- Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
- Maliseet Nation Conservation Council
- Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick
- NB Environment and Local Government
Learn more about the overall project here
Resources
More info about the project’s conservation strategies:
For more information about the project, please contact Nature NB at info@naturenb.ca or 506-459-4209