Municipal leadership in conservation of Atlantic salmon riparian habitat

In 2020, supported by an ASCF grant, SAM undertook a province-wide GIS analysis to detect and prioritize Atlantic salmon habitat found within NL municipal planning boundaries. We were also successful in facilitating the signing of two Habitat Stewardship Agreements between the province and NL municipalities which now protect from future development over 2,800 acres of Atlantic salmon riparian and aquatic habitat. Over the course of this proposed 3 year project, using our proven methodology, we intend to target additional municipalities, seeking to sign agreements which will conserve an additional 3000 acres of salmon aquatic and riparian habitat during the course of the project. Each agreement will be supported by a Habitat Conservation Plan whose central tenants is then incorporated within municipal planning documents and associated development regulations, centrally resulting in appropriately zoning the protected habitat to prevent future development from degrading or destroying these areas. Finally, we will engage agreement signatories through educational outreach to bring to their attention their role in protecting Atlantic salmon and promoting the awareness, and implementation, of their Habitat Conservation Plan.

Contact:

Jonathan Sharpe

samconservation@gmail.com

709 640 5008