Newsletter 8

The general public is invited to attend a public launch of the Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation's website, Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation website It will take place on Saturday, Nov. 10th, 2 – 4pm at the Souris Cap site 2nd floor Matthew McLean Building, Main Street, Souris.
Many prominent government officials and representatives of various organizations are expected to be present and short presentation will be made to the public.
The Souris & Area Wildlife Branch is slowly developing a website under the direction of Webmaster Waldron Leard. This site includes educational materials that will be beneficial to all students and adults.
As part of our launch, the winners of the 2007 photo contest will be awarded. The Grand Prize is donated by MacPhee's Home Hardware, with Ducks Unlimited Canada and Souris Wildlife Branch being co-sponsors of each of the four categories.

Fred Cheverie local watershed co-ordinator indicated that, " this photo contest developed into something beyond all our expectations". Our Photo Contest terminated with four hundred and seventy two entries (472). Our judging panel consisted of: Mark Stewart (resident of USA), Heather Fortingall (resident of Canada) and Dr. Hajnii Bahsara al Lassad (resident of Denmark). These very experienced photographers as well as world travellers have visited Eastern Kings Area several times and all find it one of their favourite places in the world to photograph. These judges were impressed with the entries and felt that sixty (60) of these entries would be capable of winning any credible photo contest.

This event will be a fun-filled and informative with tea, coffee and a light lunch served with all photo entries available for viewing.

Good News Story
Taking Action Against Wind Erosion
Over the past few winters the public has identified soil erosion, in the form of wind, as a problem on PEI. Many claim that climate plays a role in this issue, as PEI has been lacking the snow that once provided cover to farmers' fields. Consequently, there are more houses turning brown during the winter due to wind blown soil, as well as, there is less tolerance towards this issue. Farmers in the Souris Watershed are recognizing that wind erosion is a problem and are making efforts to reduce it. Farmers do not have the power to control snowfall but they can cover their fields through other measures.
Some effective methods to combat soil erosion include: spring ploughing, planting/broadcasting a cover crop, and mulching. There are a number of farmers in the Souris watershed who are implementing at least one of these methods. One farm that is reducing the potential of soil erosion on all of their land within the Souris Watershed and some of their land outside of the watershed, is Rollo Bay Holdings Ltd. Alvin, Ray, and Ryan Keenan are using a residue management type approach. This involves using a "compaction device" on hay land, and then giving this land a very light scratch with a set of discs leaving a large amount of cover for the winter.

Other soil conservation methods have been tried in the past, and this family of farmers is hoping to see more positive results through residue management. Rollo Bay Holdings Ltd. also broadcasts a cereal crop on harvested potato land to provide winter cover.

Through the EG&S pilot project in the Souris Watershed, farmers are given a small payment for eliminating red land over winter. When it's all said and done, this only covers a portion of the cost to implement these environmentally friendly actions. Rollo Bay Holdings Ltd., and all the other farmers in the watershed who are making an effort to cover their land, should be applauded for the additional time and money spent on these beneficial practices.

In recent months the Premier's office has announced a Commission on nitrates in groundwater. This Commission has recommended that a series of nitrate clinics (5) be held across the Island as a pilot project.

Souris & Area Wildlife Branch and the Souris River Watershed Management Committee are pleased to announce that they will be hosting the first of these clinics at Souris Striders Ski Club on Saturday, Nov. 17th all day.

Residents throughout the Eastern Kings Area (SRHS district) are invited to take a sample of water from their homes to this clinic and have an analysis for nitrate levels free of charge.

It is my understanding that this is a very quick procedure and results are given immediately. Further details about this clinic will be made available in the media as soon as they are available.Coffee, tea and snacks will be made available by the host organizations.

The Souris & Area Branch will be hosting their Twenty-Seventh Annual Fundraising Wildlife Dinner on Sunday, Dec.9th at St. Mary's Hall.
This year's dinner is going to be very different as the main course is going to be buffalo and fish. This change has been made because our costs were soaring to meet health standards that were associated with the potential Asian Flu.
We will have three roasts of approximately 40lbs.each, which will be cooked to rare, medium rare and well-cooked temperatures. We also hope to have artic char, rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon to supplement our main menu of buffalo. Our traditional hors d'oeuvre section will be intact as well as our steaming mussels.
Tickets this year have been reduced to $25/ticket, which may be acquired at Burke's Custom Metal Works.

This is our major fundraiser of the year that enables us to do stream enhancement work, watershed planning, tree planting, nest boxes etc. A portion of the cost of each ticket also goes towards membership of the Souris Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation. If we have a high membership, it increases our chances of acquiring project grants from various sources.

Please support us in our efforts to improve the environment in the Eastern Kings Area

It is a very exciting and busy time in our watershed. We have many impressive projects happening because of the diligence of our co-ordinator, Fred Cheverie, our agrologist, Erica MacIsaac and our webmaster, Waldron Leard.

I highly encourage everyone to bring your water samples to the Free Nitrate Clinic at the Ski Club on Saturday, Nov.17th. Hope to see you there.

Things have gotten really busy this fall with many things happening in a short time span. I highly encourage everyone to attend the "Launch" of our website Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation. Our branch members are thrilled at the number of people who entered our photo contest and the unbelievable quality of the photos.

I encourage everyone to attend our 27th Annual Wildlife Fundraising Dinner. The proceeds from this dinner is our main source of funds which is used to assist the environment in our area (Naufrage to Annandale to East Point).

This issue is back to our old format because scheduling would not allow us to meet deadlines. In the future we hope to be part of the Eastern Kings Enhancement Newsletter as much as possible.

I really would encourage everyone to partake in the activities mentioned throughout this newsletter. Your support is needed to make Eastern Kings a better place environmentally.

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.