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| Signing "Habitat Conservation Plan," June 28, 2008. |
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On the weekend of June 27th and June 28th, Joint Management Committee [JMC] of the towns of Bay Roberts and Spaniard's Bay hosted the 2008 Stewardship Association of Municipalities (SAM) Spring Conference. The JMC is part of the the North American waterfowl management plan (NAWMP), a unique collaborative strategy for the conservation and enhancement of waterfowl habitats. The Eastern habitat joint venture [EHJV] is aimed at protecting and enhancing those wetlands in eastern Canada that contribute significantly to the waterfowl and other migratory birds.
On the afternoon of June 28th, 2008, the towns of Bay Roberts and Spaniard's Bay signed a "Habitat Conservation Plan" with The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. |
Photo of the official signing above. [l-r] Mayor John Drover, Town of Spaniard's Bay; Hon. Charlene Johnson; Deputy Mayor Melvin Walsh, Town of Bay Roberts.. |
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Cake cutting at the afternoon reception in the Recreation Centre in Spaniard's Bay.
[l-r] Deputy Mayor, Melvin Walsh, Bay Roberts, Mayor John Drover, Spaniard's Bay, Hon. Charlene Johnson cutting the cake, MHA Roland Butler, Cathy Kleinwort, Chairperson JMC
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| During the afternoon of June 28th, the Bay Roberts and Spaniard's Bay Joint Management Committee unveiled their new logo, and a number of new signs for the estuary. |
A New Temporary Plaque
from the NL Department of Transportation & Works
was unveiled by Mr. Steve Abbott, Hon. Minister Charlene Johnson, MHA Roland Butler. (It will be replaced with a bronze plaque when the new bridge is installed.)
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New Estuary Logo
The bridge across the estuary was washed out during subtropical storm Chantal in 2007. A temporary bridge is now in place.
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Map of Shearstown Estuary |
Two of six new estuary signs located in the Arnie's Pond area, which describe 12 of the birds that inhabit the Shearstown Estuary |
American Black Duck, the Common Loon, the Osprey and the Bald Eagle |
Greater Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, Junco,Blue Jay |
Northern Pintail, Green-Winged Teal, Common Goldeneyes, Black-Headed Gull |
Sign with American Back Duck, the most common waterfowl in the Estuary. |
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| The evening of June 28, a BBQ dinner was held in the Avalon North Wolverines Search & Rescue Building in Bay Roberts. Dennis Minty, an internationally recognized professional photographer, eco-tour guide and published author who lives in the neighbouring community of Clarke's Beach gave an after dinner presentation on the importance of maintaining Wetlands Habitats. His presentation finished with a spontaneous standing ovation. |
Dennis Minty with wife, Antje Springmann |
[l-r] Gunter Kleinwort; Jonathan Sharpe,EHJV; Gerry Yetman, EHJV |
Young Bald Eagle
More Photos
In 1997 the towns of Spaniard's Bay and Bay Roberts signed a Municipal Stewardship Agreement, making the Shearstown estuary an important link in wetland conservation in North America. Through this agreement the towns agreed to manage wetlands within their jurisdiction with technical advice from the partners of the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture.
The Shearstown Estuary is a shallow body of water where freshwater from Shearstown River meets and mixes with saltwater from Spaniard's Bay. The resulting mixture of water is termed "brackish," or partially salty. Shearstown River, Shearstown Pond, Muddy Hole Pond, Arnie's Pond and the shallow inner reaches of Spaniard's Bay comprise the Shearstown Estuary. The salinity, or saltiness of the water, varies considerably throughout the estuary with time and location and is dependent on tides, winds and precipitation.
Estuaries are found throughout the world and are nutrient rich ecosystems. Estuaries are considered to be among the most biologically productive ecosystems on earth. Many estuaries, like the Mackenzie River Estuary in the Arctic and the Bay of Fundy Saltmarshes, are very large and support large numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and other estuary associated wildlife. Estuaries like the Shearstown Estuary are much smaller but are still critical to many species of plants and animals in our region or traveling through our region.
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In the spring of 2006, three juvenile (fledgling) Bald Eagles left their nest in Spaniard's Bay and began visiting the small park at the edge of the estuary in Spaniard's Bay. (Two fledglings - assumed siblings - is good news, but three, according to a wildlife biologist from the Salmonier Nature Park, is a miracle!) The eaglets stopped traffic many times as people marveled at their antics.(See photos).
The Shearstown Estuary
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For further information contact:
Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Department of Environment and Conservation
Wildlife Division
Town of Spaniard's Bay
Email: spaniardsbay@persona.ca
Town of Bay Roberts
Email: info@bayroberts.com
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