Author: Ben Russell

Island Nature Trust announces first major campaign fundraising success as conservation partners quadruple donations from Islanders

Ben Russell

The Trust’s Saving Our IsLAND matching campaign reaches $600K, thanks to public support and new collaborations with MapleCross and the Province of PEI

February 28th 2022: Island Nature Trust and the Province of PEI’s mission to protect 7% of PEI by 2030 and become the first province in Canada to reach Net Zero, took a significant step forward today.

The Saving Our Island campaign launched in September 2021, with a deadline for 1st March 2022 to raise $150,000 for the long-term protection of PEI’s remaining native forests, has now been reached.

On the back of new conservation alliances with the Province of PEI, MapleCross Fund based in Ontario and an anonymous benefactor – pledges from the matching partners will allow the total to grow from $150,000 to $600,000.

Over the last year, campaign funds have enabled INT to double the yearly acreage of acquisitions for ecologically sensitive land in PEI. In this period, INT secured 2175 acres of natural area, which is the largest amount of land secured over twelve-months in he Trust’s 40-year history.

Thanks to the success of the campaign, a recent addition to Crown Point – Wji’kijek Natural Area in Alexandra, which expands a coastal migratory flyway for shore birds, a rare 37-acre home to spawning Atlantic Salmon in Bangor, 200 acres of riparian forest along the culturally significant Midgell River (Elm Road), and a 65-acre parcel of rare cedar and white ash forested wetland in Miscouche will all be protected in perpetuity under the Natural Areas Protection Act. The two Natural Areas in Alexandra and Bangor are due be formally named by MapleCross later in the year.

“It is truly remarkable to see the Trust’s first ever major fundraising campaign succeed on so many levels. We have new partners who are committed for the long term and the response from Islanders who have stood up in support is heart warming. However, with natural areas estimated to cost on average of $1000 per acre or more, and eight years left to save up to an additional 35,000+ acres to meet initial targets, all of Prince Edward Islands conservation partners really need to ramp up annual acreage amounts put under protection.” – Bianca McGregor, Executive Director at Island Nature Trust

Inspired by campaign messaging and encounters with passionate and knowledgeable INT supporters, Isobel Ralston & Jan Oudenes of MapleCross committed matching funds in the Fall of 2021 on the understanding that Islanders would come together in support of the campaign and raise the $150,000 seeding amount by 1st March 2022.

MapleCross Fund was launched in 2017 to provide funds to Canadian land trusts on a mission to preserve and steward land in perpetuity. With their investment, MapleCross posed the question; “will Islanders respond and help protect what lies in their own backyards?”

“The locals really must get involved. It shows that a campaign is worthwhile, and our future investment will be also dependent on whether the community is engaged and contributing. So, we may get on board with a project but if there’s a lack of support from locals, we then ask ourselves, is it really worth investing in this Trust again?” – Isobel Ralston & Jan Oudenes, MapleCross

Islanders profoundly answered that question today with $150,000 donated by 303 individuals.

Following a public appeal to raise the remaining $20,000 for the Match A Patch Campaign in early February of this year, Judy Profitt, a 7th generation Islander from Brackley donated $5000 to the Saving Our Island: Match A Patch campaign:

“The matching campaign was very attractive to me. Since the impact is amplified by major benefactors, I feel my donation isn’t stuck in a bubble. For someone who cares deeply about their Island, how often do opportunities – to make a real difference – like this present themselves?’

“My father, Wendell Profitt was a passionate about protecting PEI’s native forests. Up until his death in 2017, he worked tirelessly for the protection of natural sites through his employment for many years with the PEl Government as well as through his volunteer activity with the Island Nature Trust. He would have been incredibly heartened to see the Province of PEI standing together with INT to protect these forests” says Judy.”

“We are pleased to work alongside the Island Nature Trust as they further their mission to protect land on PEI,” said Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Steven Myers. “Our approach to reaching net zero has to consider all factors, and land use and protection is a major priority.”

Having just surpassed the 7000-acre mark for INT protected Natural Areas – the trust intends to ramp up its mission to help secure thousands of acres more by the end of the decade.

“This campaign isn’t the end. it’s the beginning of a process. If we can raise $600,000 in five months, imagine what we can raise in eight years!’ exclaims INT Executive Director, Bianca McGregor.

The takeaway according to Bianca: “This is a success hinged on the support from today’s Islanders that will resonate with future generations. Donations from Islanders are now being leveraged by growing alliances with investors and partners. This marriage will ensure the long-term survival of our Island and I speak on behalf of our all of our matching partners in humbly thanking everyone that participated.”

Images & Video

Photographs available on request

About

Island Nature Trust is a membership-based, non-government, Canadian charity dedicated to land conservation in Prince Edward Island since 1979. We envision a future where P.E.I. has a network of protected, robust natural areas championed by knowledgeable, engaged Islanders.

We envision a network of protected natural areas across PEI sustained by the love and generosity of Islanders today for the enjoyment of Islanders and wildlife tomorrow.

Learn More

Website article: https://islandnaturetrust.ca/campaign_success/

INT Spring Newsletter: https://islandnaturetrust.ca/wp-content/uploads/March-2022-INT-Quarterly-Newsletter-compressed.pdf

Saving Our Island campaign: https://islandnaturetrust.ca/patchwork/

MapleCross: https://maplecross.ca/

Contact:  

Ben Russell – Communications Manager
Island Nature Trust
902-566-9150
ben@islandnaturetrust.ca

Island Nature Trust protects land and wildlife with donation from PEI liquor stores

Ben Russell

A five-year agreement with PEI Liquor Control Commission and partnering suppliers, has helped the Trust acquire natural areas in Alexandra and significantly accelerated its protection program.

 L-R: Island Nauture Trust staff – Charlotte Thompson, Fund Development Coordinator and Bianca McGregor, Executive Director, pictured with Darlene Compton, Minister of Finance for Prince Edward Island at Government House in Charlottetown.
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First of its kind donation sees American family return forest and wetland back to Islanders

Ben Russell

A game-changing cross-border partnership between Island Nature Trust and American Friends of Canadian Conservation – launched to help American landowners donate their land for conservation purposes – is celebrating its first win.

American ownership is approximately 3.5% of the total land on PEI, yet for many years, American landowners interested in donating land for conservation purposes have experienced disproportionate legal and financial barriers. However, thanks to INT and American Friends initiative forged in 2018, significant tax relief is now secured for American donors.

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Restricted dune area and nesting space for the endangered Piping Plover violated by individuals setting up beach campground in Anglo Rustico

Ben Russell

Prominent signage for the species-at-risk was removed and abused for beach games at Barachois Beach – home to one of only five successful hatching sites on the Island

On Saturday July 17, provincial conservation officers and federal wildlife officers received calls from several concerned citizens reporting possible species-at-risk violations witnessed on Barachois Beach. Upon arrival, officers observed a group of people camping inside an area closed to protect the endangered Piping Plover and nesting Common Terns. A tent was erected upon a dune with a bonfire going. In addition, signs demarking the nesting area were removed and setup as goalposts for a ball game.

Barachois Beach is a pivotal site for Piping Plover on PEI. Over the last 15 years, it has supported 15% of all nest attempts on provincial beaches. While the beach is over 148 acres in size, the areas closed for nesting birds this year is less than 10 acres. With just a fraction of the beach restricted, INT relies on members of the community to pay attention to signage, take heed of restrictions and avoid actions that could compromise the survival of this endangered species.

“To say that we were disappointed and saddened by the choices that these individuals made is a vast understatement. We work to conserve species at risk on PEI and to ensure that we have a diversity of wildlife and wild spaces to enjoy. We are aided in this work by hundreds of volunteers and supporters. We know through over 40 years of experience, that protecting the animals and plants that we share this province with is vitally important to islanders and visitors alike.” 

– Shannon Mader, Species at Risk Manager, Island Nature Trust

Over the years, appeals to the public in helping the recovery of the Piping Plover population have been met with a positive collective effort from individuals, communities, conservation groups, industry and governments. Every year, signs are erected around Piping Plover nests. Trust volunteers and ‘Guardians’ join staff to update signage across PEI beaches that are known to host nesting Piping Plover.

Normally, INT staff and volunteers engage in outreach and education and are met with receptive citizens, eager to learn more about the wildlife of PEI. It is not common to receive reports of individuals flagrantly disregarding signage and setting up activity areas within restricted nesting areas. This type of violation has the potential to undo decades of conservation work towards the recovery of the species and the encompassing beach dune ecosystem – a natural protective barrier to the ongoing effects of erosion and climate change.

“I find this difficult to accept. It is an ongoing problem that those carrying out infringements always claim to have not seen the signs at the beach entrance even though they are prominent and impossible to miss. Most people on the beach are great but the minority are disheartening. Last year we had no successful hatching so this year’s chicks should be a cause for celebration but instead we have this.”

– Mike Salter, volunteer for Island Nature Trust

At the time of this incident, this beach was home to two Piping Plover families – one with five-day old chicks and another with one day old chicks. The Piping Plover was listed under the federal Species at Risk Act in 2003. Designated as endangered, the species is at great risk of disappearing from our Island beaches. Now more than ever, the Piping Plover requires ongoing collaboration from our Island community to ensure their survival.

The incident on Saturday is under investigation by Provincial Conservation Officers.

“Provincial Conservation Officers at Department of Justice and Public Safety are concerned for the ongoing noncompliance at Barachois Beach. Penalties under the Species at Risk Act are severe and can carry fines up to $50,000 for a person and $1,000,000 for a corporation.”

– Wade MacKinnon, Manager of Investigation and Enforcement, Justice and Public Safety

To report illegal activity on Island beaches please call 902-368-4884.              
Violations can be reported via the INT website https://islandnaturetrust.ca/violations/

Video

Piping Plover at Barachois Beach https://youtu.be/XWCmYg-wVOA

About

Island Nature Trust is a membership-based, non-government, Canadian charity dedicated to land conservation in Prince Edward Island since 1979. We envision a future where P.E.I. has a network of protected, robust natural areas championed by knowledgeable, engaged Islanders.

We envision a network of protected natural areas across PEI sustained by the love and generosity of Islanders today for the enjoyment of Islanders and wildlife tomorrow.

Learn More

Visit our website: www.islandnaturetrust.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/islandnaturetrust
Instagram: www.instagram.com/islandnaturetrust/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/island-nature-trust

Contacts

Ben Russell
Communications Manager
902-892-7513 or 902-566-9150
ben@islandnaturetrust.ca

An Introduction to Ecosystem Services

Ben Russell

By Janell Smith

What are ecosystem services and why are they important?

Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides to humans and are often categorized into provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural. You may be most familiar with provisioning ecosystem services – including food from forests, fields, and oceans; lumber for timber and firewood; drinking water; and even natural gas and oil. Other provisioning services include plants for clothing and materials, as well as natural medicines.

Regulating services provided by natural ecosystems include climate regulation, pollination, purification of water, erosion control, flood control, and carbon storage. Supporting services include the processes that often go unseen but are fundamental to human health, such as soil formation, nutrient cycling, and water cycling. Cultural services are the non-material benefits provided by nature through spiritual enrichment, inspiration, recreation, and aesthetic value (as you can see, ecosystem services are vital to our everyday lives!). As with all life, the categories of ecosystem services are interconnected. For example, fruit trees (provisioning service) rely on the soil (supporting service) and pollination (regulating service) to thrive.

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