Newsletter 9

Souris Capsite hosted and was filled to capacity at the launch of the Souris & Area Wildlife Branch's website.

Souris & Area watershed co-ordinator Fred Cheverie gave a brief overview of the website illustrating its main purposes: (1) educational (2) documentation of the activities and accomplishments of the Souris & Area Branch.

It was reported that this site is ongoing and will be continually updated on a regular basis. This website is receiving triple the traffic that was expected in the first year with visits from all over the world.

The winners of the Souris & Area Branch 2007 Photo Contest were awarded their prizes. Webmaster Waldron Leard presided over this event, which drew 472 entries. Fortunately, we had a panel of international judges who had no idea of any of the entrants.
The winner of the grand prize was Shari D Robertson (Mount Stewart). Camilla MacPhee, who represented Main Street Home Hardware Building Center, presented her award.
The winners of the adult division were as follows: (1) Heather Ross (Souris), (2) Susan Leard (Kingsboro) and (3) Susan Conners (St. Charles). Souris Wildlife Branch Director Fred Ward presented these Prizes.
Winners of the university/ college division were as follows: (1) Cathleen Gallant (Monticello), (2) Jenna Francis (Fortune) and (3) Laura O'Connor (Lower Rollo Bay). Ducks Unlimited Canada representative, Jana Cheverie presented these prizes.

Paul Deveau, Jana Cheverie, Catheleen Gallant and Waldron Leard

The high school division winners were (1) Jane Hanlon ( New Zealand) and (2) Chantelle Gallant (Souris). Souris Mayor Joanne Reid presented these prizes. Jane Hanlon also won "The Most Promising Youth Award" which was presented by the Hon. Allan Campbell.

The elementary school division winners were: (1) Bryanna Longaphee (Souris Line Road), (2) Joel Dunphy (Souris) and (3) Eddy MacKinnon (Goose River). Paul Deveau, President of Souris River Management Committee presented these prizes.

Souris Wildlife Branch would like to pass on their congratulations to all entrants and winners. President Paul Campbell indicated that with the success of this contest that Souris Wildlife Branch would host a 2008 photo contest beginning Jan. 01, 2008. Pass on all your entries to Waldron Leard.

President Paul Campbell also indicated that they would be developing a "Wildlife Calendar" of our area for the year 2009. This Calendar would be using many of the photos submitted (with owners permission) as a future fundraising activity.

Early in 2008 almost every home in the Souris Regional High School District will receive a survey in the mail. This survey will require approximately 20 minutes to complete and was prepared by a research team that has been hired by the Souris & Area Wildlife Branch. This survey is part of the PEI Ecological Goods And Services Pilot Project, which the Souris Branch is sponsoring.

The purpose of this survey is to gather information on the views of the public about management of our environment, with special emphasis on the Souris River Watershed.

I realize that everyone is busy and filling out surveys is not everyone's favourite hobby. I would however, encourage everyone to give this particular survey a honest effort as it could have an effect on future policies across this our Island. Unfortunately, by not filling it out you also could have an effect on future policies across our Island.

In recent articles of this newsletter we attempted to highlight some of the sincere environmental efforts of farmers in the Souris Watershed.

These pictures depict the efforts of a farm planting a cover crop after harvesting their potatoes this fall. They are attempting to alleviate soil and wind erosion. It must be disheartening to then see sections of your crop tore up by someone on an ATV.

I have heard stories from farmers where drivers of ATV's have jumped from drill to drill in a perpendicular manner in potato fields. This happened when the tops were protruding through the ground after final cultivation.

I have heard stories from farmers where they have placed square bales of straw in the grassed headlands that have been bared by ATV traffic. Farmers have done this on their own time and expense to attempt to alleviate soil erosion problems. To their dismay ATV drivers came along and dismantled this soil erosion structure.

I have seen a number of ATV's in swamps, bogs and wetlands belonging to farmers causing complete havoc. These wetlands are Mother Nature's natural filters that remove many toxins from our soil and air. They are the very last place on earth that should be disrupted.

I assume most ATV drivers are wiser than to participate in the activities that I have listed. Unfortunately, there are those that chose to be reckless and cause long-term damage to crops, fields and wetlands.

To my knowledge private landowners own approximately 88% of PEI and many ATV owners and operators drive their machine on property that doesn't belong to them.

It seems reasonable to me that ATV operators should get permission to operate their machine on other people's property. They also should respect the landowner's decision.

The Souris & Area Branch will be hosting their 27th Annual Fundraising Wildlife Dinner on Sunday, Dec. 9th at St. Mary's Hall.

Doors open at 4:00pm with hors d' oeuvres and steaming mussels available. The main course of our dinner will take place at 5:00pm.

Our traditional auction of "wildlife prints" by various artists will take place after the dinner with our auctioneer Ed "Bucko Cheverie.

This year's dinner will be somewhat different, as our main dishes will consist of buffalo and fish. Rita Carter will once again be orchestrating our kitchen and supplying us with all the trimmings.

Tickets are $25 each with $10 of your purchase going towards our membership fees. High membership increases our chances of attaining funding from other sources. These tickets can be purchased at Burke's Custom Metal works in Rollo Bay.

This event is our main fundraising activity and we would appreciate your support.

The Souris & Area Wildlife Branch and The Souris River Watershed Management Committee would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2008.

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.