Branch History

The Young Environmentalists' Program is gearing up for another summer of environmental work projects to be performed by youth across the Island. Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam Minister of Fisheries and Environment, announced the start-up of the program and noted that "the program is designed to educate high school and university students about the Island's environment through hands-on work experiences such as performing stream enhancement, beach clean ups, reforestation, and trail creation."

New to the Program this year is the introduction of the "GO For Green" Project. Young Environmentalist teams will work with fair and festival organizers across PEl setting up these events with a source separated waste management system. This will have a positive impact on the Island-wide implementation of Waste Watch, part of the Provincial Waste Management Strategy.

Karen Chaisson, of Souris and her team of Young Environmentalists took on the huge task of cleaning up much of the wooded area around the St. Catherines Dump. This project was initiated by Councillor Dwayne Clements, Town of Souris, Andy Mooney, MLA and the Community of St. Catherines.

A few words if I may about partnerships relative to wildlife and habitat management programs. Recent comments by media, volunteers and government officials have left interested folks speculating and pointing fingers as to who is responsible for the fish kill at Stuart's Pond near Montague.

Without full disclosure and understanding of funding programs and sources, partnership arrangements and contributions, the public is left with what they see and hear. Much of it I believe to be misinformation or misleading, but not necessarily intentionally so.

Going back a few years it was common for "stream workers" (a loosely used term), to get together for a weekend training/orientation session. It appeared that as government resources shrank so did the training opportunities. Persumably these sessions were organized and hosted by the environment department but who knows? A volunteer group may have acted as the sponsor. This is a form of partnering.

The government is also there to provide, technical assistance to the volunteer group at various phases of the project. Of course this depends on the funding programs and is a good general example of partnership contribution.

The volunteer groups involved usually have strong community support and use people power to the best of their abilities, be that as bookkeepers, media liasons, committee members, etc. The volunteers have to go forth to find partners to make a project work.

As for staff,-the hiring practices of government and non-government organizations (NGO's) is a very complicated matter. I'll not speculate as to the workers, paid or volunteer, at Stuart's Pond other than to say they probably were there as a result of partnerships. Not all workers, paid or volunteer, are best suited for the jobs they are tasked with.

The fish kill at Stuart's Pond was unfortunate and disappointing without a doubt but it was an isolated incident. The partners may take the time to rethink their arrangement so as to avoid any problems in the future, and the public can just give it a rest. After all, when you point your finger at someone else, how many more are pointing right back at you.

The Young Environmentalists Program (YEP), a summer program with the Department of Fisheries and Environment, has almost completed another eventful summer. YEP is a Provincial Government initiative aimed at educating students about the Island environment through meaningful community work experiences. Ten teams were established in different regions across the Island, including a team based out of Souris.
Young Environmentalists have also been implementing the Waste Watch System through their "Go For Green" Project initiated this year. They have been promoting the Waste Watch System across PEl by organizers to set up waste watch sorting stations for people to sort their garbage. At each event Young Environmentalists are present to give direction on waste management and help answer any questions. Hon. Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Environment indicated that since the Waste Watch system will be implemented across PEl, the Go For Green project is important in helping Islanders and visitors become familiar with the system and in making implementation easier in the future.
YEP members also participate in weekly environmental educational activities, some of which included a tour of the East Prince Waste Management Facility and organic farming on Prince Edward Island.

- from The Beacon - August 12, 1997

Volunteers with the Souris & Area Branch of the Prince Edward Island Wildlife Federation are busily preparing for the group's 15th Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction, to be held December 14th at St. Mary's Hall in Souris. The event has become a tradition for many who travel from all points, in all kinds of weather for this very special event.

Menu items include the usual steamed mussels and fish appetizers, followed by a buffet of wild game, fish and fowl gathered from across Canada. The typical dinner plate is well rounded with sample sized servings of treats such as venison, caribou, arctic char, bear, pheasant, moose, roasted goose, buffalo, salmon and the like. Those with adventurous tastebuds can savor the mystery dishes which are a well-kept secret until after the blueberry dessert is served.

Quality raffle and door prizes are a bonus for lucky ticket holders while the auction and locked box items are sure to bring good-natured bidding as everyone knows the monies raised go to a very worthwhile cause.

The Souris and Area Branch is very active in wildlife and habitat conservation projects throughout Eastern and Central Kings County. Recent projects include: maintaining a satellite trout rearing tank, sponsoring the Father's Day Fishing Derby at Rollo Bay, planting trees and establishing hedgerows, improving stream and riparian habitats, supporting the "Becoming and Outdoors-Woman" program, contributing to a newsletter for members and interested public, and supporting the introduction of "project Wild" to Island schools.

Anyone wishing to donate wild game or help in the preparation of wild game, please contact any of the following federation members. nckets can be arranged or reserved in advance by contacting Joe MacDonald, Val Ward or Justin McKinnon.

All pictures appearing on this site or its associated flickr account are the property of the photographers and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
They may not be copied without permission of the photographer and the Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.