Federal investment for eight new multi-year projects, as part of the Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives and the Gulf of Maine Initiative funding programs

Backgrounder

Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives

The Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives Funding Program aims to improve the health, productivity and long-term sustainability of the ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. The program supports projects that use an ecosystem-based approach that includes broad partnerships and collaborative action leading to positive environmental results. Funding will be provided for projects in Atlantic Canada that

  • enhance integrated ecosystem planning and decision-making
  • increase ecosystem knowledge and science
  • undertake actions in priority ecosystems to conserve, restore and enhance the health of ecosystems

New funded projects

  1. Collaborating to Improve Riparian Health on the Lower Saint John River
    Organization
    : Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee
    Description
    : This project will result in new and improved shore areas that will reduce sediment and nutrient inputs, and buffer stream temperature to improve water quality of important tributaries to the Saint John River. In addition, short videos will be developed for social media to demonstrate restoration best practices and the value of healthy shore areas.
    Location
    : Saint John River watershed
    Amount of contribution
    : $97,012
    Date
    : from 7/31/2018 to 10/31/2020
  2. Integrate Substantial Data Relevant to the AEI Program for the Saint John Harbour
    Organization
    : AZCISC Association
    Description: The purpose of this project is to develop an interactive atlas of the Saint John Harbour making data accessible to the public and other researchers to support effective planning and management decisions for the coastal ecosystem. The final product will be a publicly accessible interactive map displaying integrated data sets, which will be used as a tool to enhance integrated ecosystem planning and decision-making and increase knowledge of the Saint John River watershed.
    Location: Saint John River watershed
    Amount of contribution
    : $97,000
    Date: from 7/31/2018 to 3/31/2020
  3. Development of Modeling and Monitoring Tools to Understand and Improve Microbial Water Quality in Coastal Ecosystems in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Watershed
    Organization
    : Dalhousie University
    Description: This project will provide an enhanced data and process based scientific understanding of the sources and pathways of microbial contamination in coastal ecosystems.  The primary end product will be a validated integrated hydrodynamic modelling framework capable of predicting surface and subsurface contaminants transport through aquifers, river networks, and dynamic estuarine environments. This modelling framework will be capable of examining the impacts of changing climate conditions in terrestrial and marine environments and will be applied to develop improved best management practices for coastal watersheds.
    Location: Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence watershed
    Amount of contribution: $189,692
    Date: from 7/31/2018 to 3/31/2021
  4. Toward Integrated Watershed on the Saint John River: Developing Water Quality Triggers Linked to the Mapping of Ecosystem Services to Support the Sustainable Management of Hydrological Alterations Framework
    Organization
    : The St. John River Society
    Description:  This project will result in broader awareness and understanding of the river’s services, which will inform management planning activities, infrastructure decisions and provide detailed analysis of water quality triggers. Final outcomes from this project will also inform site-specific future actions and decisions around maintaining and, where necessary restoring water quality, as well as functional ecosystem services.
    Location: Saint John River watershed
    Amount of contribution
    : $192,500
    Date: from 7/31/2018 to 3/31/2021
  5. Emerging Concerns of Microplastic Pollution in the Saint John River Watershed
    Organization: Mount Allison University  
    Description: The project will result in spatial and geographic information system data mapping to demonstrate where microplastic levels are higher or lower in the watershed. Final outcomes from this project will inform future strategies to reduce microplastics in the environment including technological advances, government regulations and public education campaigns. 
    Location: Saint John River watershed
    Amount of contribution: $184,115
    Date: from 7/31/2018 to 3/31/2021
  6. Assessment of Ecosystem Services Associated with Water Quality in a Designated Watershed (Iroquois/Blanchette)
    Original title: Évaluation des services écosystémiques associés à la qualité de l’eau d’un bassin hydrographique désigné (Iroquois/Blanchette)
    Organization: Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick
    Description: This project will result in an integrated watershed management plan that takes into consideration the ecosystem services associated with water quality. The project will also make recommendations for investing in ecosystem services associated with water quality including ecosystem management and restoration practices.
    Location: Saint John River watershed
    Amount of contribution
    : $190,000
    Date: from 7/31/2018 to 3/31/2021
  7. Assessment and Management of the Water Quality in the Wolastoq, NB
    Organization
    : Maliseet Nation Conservation Council
    Description: This project will result in a better understanding of the current water quality and critical areas of the river. A "State of the Water Quality" document will be developed with a list short, medium, and long-term projects and priority actions. The public, rights holders, stakeholders, provincial and federal governments will be engaged throughout the project to share information about water quality, sources of pollution, critical zones and foreseeable future stressors.  This information will inform the ongoing development of a management strategy and an action plan for the Wolastoq.
    Location: Saint John River Watershed
    Amount of contribution
    : $134,970
    Date: from 7/31/2018 to 3/31/2021

Gulf of Maine Initiative

The Gulf of Maine Initiative aims to maintain a healthy ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and economic growth by supporting projects that

  • enhance habitat conservation
  • inform decisions and actions on responsible development
  • increase understanding and monitoring of ecosystem health
  • identify and reduce key stressors to ecosystem health

New funded project

  1. Addressing Nutrient Runoff in Bay of Fundy Watersheds
    Organization
    : Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.
    Description
    : The purpose of this project is to increase the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem to sources of nutrient pollution from land-based activities. The project will build off data collected through multiple previous Gulf of Maine Initiative projects. New and existing data will be analyzed to identify sources of nutrient pollution and then site-specific remediation techniques will be recommended for the areas of concern. In addition, a demonstration site, in the Annapolis watershed, will be installed to showcase tangible actions to mitigate agricultural run-off into waterways.
    Location
    : Gulf of Maine
    Amount of contribution
    : $105,488
    Date
    : from 7/31/2018 to 3/29/2019

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