The Souris & Area Branch Board of Directors were taken on a tour of their management area on Saturday Oct. .24. Watershed Coordinator, Fred Cheverie acted as the tour guide and most watersheds in Eastern Kings were visited. The purpose of this tour was to show the Directors some recent accomplishments, problem areas and to give them an opportunity for suggestions on future work. The directors were shown some problem bridges, beaver infested streams, etc. They were also exposed to streams that have received recent enhancement work and those streams now show great spawning habitat. They were very fortunate to witness an abundance of fish in MacDonald's Brook Trout Nursery. They also visited areas where “digger logs” were installed and they witnessed the fantastic results.

Joe MacDonald, Fred Ward, Louie Carter, Ben MacDonald. and Fred Cheverie, checking some structures on Souris River.

Joe MacDonald, Kevin Roberston, Wendall MacKinnon,
Fred Cheverie, Ben MacDonald and Paul Gallant
viewing large springs on the Naufrage River.

29th Annual Fundraising Wildlife Dinner

The Souris & Area Branch of the P.E.l. Wildlife Federation will be hosting its 29th Annual Wildlife Fundraising Dinner at St. Mary's Hall on Sunday, Dec.13th. Dinner will be served at 5 pm and doors open at 4:00pm. The main dishes featured will be Atlantic Salmon and Buffalo. The Souris Branch is delighted to have Chef Pedro Perrero once again as our lead chef with Rita Carter in charge of the kitchen. Traditional H'orderves of many species of smoked fish on crackers will also be available. Lots of steaming mussels and the delicious oysters will also be available. Once again an exciting mystery dish will be available for those who wish to explore. The cost is only $25 per ticket which includes your membership. There are numerous door prizes, raffle items and auction items available. Specific details of the dinner will be released through various media within the next few weeks.

Souris & Area Branch “Wildlife Photo Contest”

The 2009 Wildlife Photo Contest is once again a tremendous success. To date over 2000 entries in still and video formats have been submitted. The grand prize award (digital camera) is once again donated by MacPhee's Home Building Center. Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Foundation have graciously donated prizes in each of the four divisions.. Our 2010 contest will commence on January 1, 2010.

Nicole MacAulay, MacPhee's Home Building Center, holding the grand prize

Watershed Planning for Basin Head

The Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation has recently partnered with the Basin Head Marine Protected Area Advisory Committee and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to undertake watershed planning for the Basin Head Watershed. The watershed planning process is an opportunity for watershed residents to voice their concerns on planning issues (including the environment, building and development and sustainable growth of our resource sector) and determine the future of their watershed.

All residents and stakeholders are invited and encouraged to attend our first public meeting to be held, Nov, 24, 7:00 pm 2009 at Eastern Kings Recreation Center. This meeting will include presentations on the watershed planning process and how the process has met with success in other areas. For more information contact Souris & Area Branch at 687-3436 or Sheila Eastman at 357-2403

Hunter Safety Courses

A Canadian Firearm Safety Course will be offered in the Souris Area at Access PEI Board Room on Friday, Nov.20 (7:00pm) and Sat. Nov.21 (9:00am – 4:00pm).

One may register at Access PEI, at a cost of $60 with limited spaces available. The course will be offered to a limited number, so registration will be on a “first serve basis”.

A Hunter Education Course maybe done on line at any time at: http://www.hunterexam.com. For additional information, feel free to contact Chuck Gallison cegallison@gov.pe.ca (902) 368-5275 at Fish & Wildlife Division.

President's Comments

Once again the Souris & Area Branch has experienced a very successful year. Our organization's accomplishments with stream enhancement work in most watersheds are the envy of all environmental groups across PEI. We also re-introduced Atlantic Salmon to Souris River, cleaned Basin Head Beach, partnered with farmers in various environmental related projects, made educational presentations to students regarding the environment, participated in a coastal erosion project, host one of the most successful wildlife photo contests in North America, publish a newsletter approximately five times annually, hosted a nitrate clinic, established Bald Eagle perches, etc.

In order to make these achievements, it requires money and we have been very successful in our applications to various sources through the past years. Unfortunately it is never enough, thus we organize a Wildlife Dinner to supplement our much needed funds.

I would invite everyone to attend this 29th Annual Fundraising Dinner, on Sunday Dec. 13th at St. Mary's Hall. It is always a terrific time with a fantastic meal. Support the Souris & Area Branch in assisting the environment and get your tickets early.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very special Christmas season.

Steve Cheverie
(President of Souris & Area Wildlife Branch)

Chairperson's Comments

I would like to pass on my congratulations to the summer staff of Souris Wildlife Branch for doing such a great job over the past months. I realize that this job has it downside with flies, heat and grueling physical labour.

One must think of the upside with the tremendous improvements that you are accomplishing within our watersheds. These efforts that you are exerting today will show wonderful results in years to come.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2010.

Paul Deveau
Chairperson,
Souris River Watershed Management Committee

Coordinators Comments

The month of November is usually one of the busiest and most rewarding months of the year. During this month one usually tends to see more of our Bald Eagles as they sit on our perches and assess the migratory birds that nestle in the river.

The Brook Trout are now upstream and spawning, so it is quite common to watch the spawning process near our many springs in our watersheds.

In November we walk our four main Atlantic Salmon rivers, North Lake , Priest Pond, Cross River and Naufrage. We count the Atlantic Salmon redds which gives us indication of the number of salmon in our rivers and if those numbers increases, we take satisfaction that we must be increasing and improving habitat. This is extremely important data because the Atlantic Salmon numbers have never being so low in our Atlantic region.

We are always assessing our beaver population and attempt to locate where they have set up blockages and this year we will be GPSing these locations and passing this information on to the PEI Trappers Association.

I would encourage everyone “Up East” to attend the initial watershed planning meeting for Basin Head. This is your opportunity to put forward your opinions and concerns.

I would like to wish everyone all the best during this upcoming Christmas Season with happiness and health in 2010.

Fred Cheverie
Souris River Watershed Coordinator

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Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation

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