Atlantic Coastal Action Program

Portnova Islands IBA, Nova Scotia

The rocky and treeless islands, islets and reefs of Portnova Islands IBA off the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island are home to 2.5% of North America's population of Great Cormorants. ACAP Cape Breton is conducting a census on Portnova Island to establish whether the population of Great Cormorants has stabilized, rebounded, or continued to decline. The data will be used to determine the conservation status of this bird in greater Cape Breton. This information will be supplied to the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Department of Natural Resources so that well informed management decisions can be made regarding this species in Nova Scotia and Canada.

2004 Pomquet Piping Plover Stewardship Action Project

Nova Scotia Coastal Guardian Program

Pomquet Beach Region IBA, Nova Scotia

The Pomquet Beach Region IBA is a nationally significant site for the endangered Piping Plover. The Piping Plovers which nest on the ground on coastal beaches face the increasing problem of disturbance from human activity particularly from All-Terrain-Vehicles and other vehicle use. On busy weekends, over 1,000 people flock to the swimming area adjacent to the IBA and plover breeding site.

The Nova Scotia Coastal Guardian Program will continue its Pomquet Piping Plover Stewardship Action Project which relies on community support to help protect the Plovers. Local volunteers and participating landowners are trained to protect the Piping Plover through on-going community-based public education activities that promote decreased human and predator disturbance. Through one-on-one contact at beaches where the birds nest, displays, door-to-door contact and educational brochures changes in attitudes and behaviour are fostered. Support from CNF's Communities in Action program will help off-set the costs of hiring a summer student to oversee these public education activities.

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Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) Communities in Action Projects

In addition, from January to March of 2004, the Canadian Nature Federation supported Communities in Action projects at IBAs with funding from the Government of Canada Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. These projects focussed on habitat stewardship at IBAs for bird species at risk:

Planning for Piping Plover and Biodiversity Education and Outreach

Cape Sable Local Action Committee

Eastern Cape Sable Island IBA, Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia's Cape Sable Island is a globally significant migration stopover for several species of birds, and it boasts a nationally significant breeding population of endangered Piping Plovers. The Cape Sable IBA Local Action Committee has been very active in recent years in promoting this fantastic bird diversity, and in conserving the shorelines and wetlands that make this IBA so important. This year, the IBA committee's stewardship project involved improving signs and trails around the IBA that allow visitors to understand the importance of the area's habitat for species at risk and other migratory birds, and planning for a summer season of education and outreach at the IBA (including a nature camp and continued operation of a visitor welcome centre).

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