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Activities Alice & Cyril MacDonald's Brook Trout Nursery Alice and Cyril MacDonald reside at Harmony Junction on the Souris Line Road. They live on a farm that is in the family for eight generations. In the fall of 2005, Souris and Area Wildlife Branch identified two large springs located on their property as potential spawning zones for brook trout. Alice and Cyril were very cooperative and excited to be part of an environmental project that would assist in sustaining brook trout populations in the Souris River.  As a group, the Souris and Area Wildlife Branch decided that enhancing these springs was a priority of 2006. A plan was developed to enhance these springs, and outside funding sources were solicited. In June 2006, funding was received from the Shell Environmental Fund to facilitate the creation of optimum spawning conditions in these springs.  In July 2006, the two springs were excavated and lined with pea gravel to simulate natural spawning conditions. In addition, the periphery of the springs received extensive landscaping, which included levelling of topsoil, spreading of mulch, and the planting of shrubs and trees.
The outlet streams draining both springs were enhanced by the removal of grassy obstructions and silt. With the in-kind cooperation of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, a new culvert was inserted on the roadway of Raymond Dunphy to allow fish passage to one of the springs.
 Cover apparatuses were constructed on both springs to provide shade and safety for fish.
One of the springs receiving enhancement is located adjacent to the Confederation Trail. This proximity provided an unique opportunity to display educational signage for interested trail users. To provide safe access and accurate information to the visitors, steps, handrails, and signage were constructed.
 The water quality of these springs is depicted in the following picture.  At a launch to celebrate the opening of the brook trout nursery and Cyril's 90th birthday, four generations of the MacDonald clan gathered at the larger spring.  After completion of the work, it was obvious that this project was successful. Numerous spawning fish were observed in late fall using the newly created nursery. The success of this venture can be attributed to the cooperation exhibited between the Shell Environmental Fund, Souris and Area Wildlife Branch, and the family of Alice and Cyril MacDonald. This pilot project will act as a template for installing more brook trout nurseries in the Eastern Kings Area. View the photo set below of the construction!
 Copyright Souris Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation 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. |
