Two Kings County landowners have entered into 20-year conservation agreements with the Government of Prince Edward Island to protect nesting habitat for bald eagles and other birds of prey.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly today, Minister of Environment and Energy Jamie Ballem paid tribute to the landowners: Janet Acorn, and the owners of Somerglen Farms - Charles Somers, William Somers and John R. Somers. The agreements with Ms. Acorn and Somerglen Farms protect about 30 hectares of land bordering Narrows Creek, a tributary of the Boughton River, in the community of St. Georges, located northeast of Cardigan.
Minister Ballem said the Province entered into the conservation agreement with Ms. Acorn last year to protect an existing bald eagle’s nest and surrounding woodland on the north side of Narrows Creek . The owners of Somerglen Farms then approached government to apply similar protection to the woodland portion of their property bordering the south bank of Narrows Creek.
“As a result of conservation efforts, the number of nesting bald eagles in Prince Edward Island has increased from just one or two pair in the early 1980s to more than 30 nesting pairs today,” said Minister Ballem. “That progress would not have been possible without the cooperation of Island landowners such as the Somers’ family and Ms. Acorn. I commend their commitment to making protection of wildlife habitat a priority on their land.”
Under the conservation agreement signed last year, Ms. Acorn has implemented a management plan to protect the eagle’s nest and surrounding habitat. The plan includes a 100-metre buffer zone around the eagle’s nest at all times, with no cutting of vegetation allowed except blueberry vines in a small portion of the buffer zone that is currently under blueberry cultivation. During the period of February 1 to August 1, which is the most critical period for successful production of eagle nestlings, no entry will be allowed in the buffer zone area unless authorized by the Minister.
The management plan also calls for a wooded buffer zone to be maintained along the waterway with cutting prohibited within 30 metres of the creek, 400 metres upstream and downstream of the eagle’s nest. In addition, all large pine and hemlock trees within 400 metres of the nest tree will be retained, and no construction is permitted within 400 metres of the nest between February 1 and July 15, unless authorized by the Minister.
Under the conservation agreement with Somerglen Farms, 3.5 hectares of woodland on the south side of Narrows Creek will be maintained, with no harvesting unless it is to improve forest quality or salvage trees which have fallen onto the agricultural portion of the property. Similar to the agreement with Ms. Acorn, all large pine and hemlock trees will be retained, no development will occur within the woodland, and no construction of any kind will occur within 100 metres of the woodland between February 1 and July 15, unless authorized by the Minister. As well, a minimum 30-metre wooded buffer will be maintained along the waterway and on all land with a slope greater than nine per cent, with no tree harvesting to occur in the buffer zones.
“This provides significant additional protection to preserve the natural beauty of the estuary and maintain the appeal of the area for eagles,” said Minister Ballem. “The efforts of Somerglen Farms and Ms. Acorn will help ensure that future generations enjoy the sight of these majestic birds flying over St. Georges.”
The Wildlife Conservation Act gives authority to the minister responsible to enter into agreements with private landowners to protect wildlife habitat. Minister Ballem said the Province invites other landowners in the St. Georges area or other areas of Prince Edward Island to consider applying protection to their properties. For further information on protecting natural areas, contact the Department of Environment and Energy at 368-4683.