Main Content

2015-16 Stewardship project summaries

A total of six projects were awarded $5,000 of Species at Risk Stewardship Program funding in 2015-16:

Richardson Mountain Hike

Project lead: Moose Kerr School, Aklavik

Species at risk focus: Woodland caribou (mountain and boreal populations), collared pika, grizzly bear, wolverine, Bank swallow, Barn swallow, Peregrine falcon, Rusty blackbird

Funding will be put towards taking the grade 4/5 class to Willow Creek near the foothills of the Richardson Mountains. They will partake in a day boat trip and hike to observe, record and photograph habitat and ecosystem components that relate to species at risk. The purpose is to gain an understanding and appreciation for the preservation/protection of the local ecosystem(s) and species that occupy it.

Traditional Use Study – Woodland Caribou Habitat and Habitat Use

Project lead: Deninu Kue First Nation, Fort Resolution

Species at risk focus: Woodland caribou (boreal population)

This project builds on the project completed in 2014-15 to incorporate traditional and scientific information in the identification of critical habitat for woodland caribou in the South Slave region of the NWT to assist with caribou recovery. In this second stage of the project, information from hunter interviews will be used to identify important areas for woodland caribou, and to make field visits to these sites to further explore the current quality of caribou habitat.

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee Awareness Campaign

Project lead: Ecology North, Yellowknife

Species at risk focus: Gypsy cuckoo bumble bee

Ecology North will create a teacher’s guide, classroom learning materials and temporary tattoos featuring a Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee to raise awareness to the beneficial role that bees play in our environment, and how humans can best support their health. Ecology North will also develop a short video with an entomologist, which will be hosted on the Ecology North website.

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee Awareness Campaign, Hay River

Project lead: Ecology North, Hay River

Species at risk focus: Gypsy cuckoo bumble bee

Ecology North will work with the Hay River Beautification Committee and other local groups to encourage planting flowers that will support bees while not using any harmful pesticides. Ecology North will host planting events throughout the summer to share information and give out seeds at the Hay River Beautification Committee’s Gardening Morning event. The Hay River office will also distribute the materials created by Ecology North – Yellowknife to help bring awareness to the beneficial role that bees play in our environment.

Délı̨nę Barren-ground Caribou Conservation Initiative

Project lead: Sahtú Renewable Resources Board, Délı̨ne

Species at risk focus: Barren-ground caribou (Bluenose-East herd)

The collaborative project between the SRRB and the Délı̨ne RRC will strive to develop and promote a barren-ground caribou conservation strategy founded in traditional Dene principles and values that is consistent with the Bluenose Caribou Management Plan. A three-day focus group with RRC members, harvesters, Elders and leaders will focus on brainstorming traditional measures to conserve caribou, and preparing an action-oriented community conservation plan to build community consensus on barren-ground caribou conservation in the region. The project will feed into the ACCWM action planning process.

Bank Swallow Survey – Mackenzie and Arctic Red Rivers

Project lead: Gwichya Gwich’in Renewable Resource Council, Tsiigehtchic

Species at risk focus: Bank swallow

This repeat project helps to fill a gap in survey data for Bank swallow habitat, locations and population estimates in northern Canada. An area around Tsiigehtchic will be sampled for numbers of bird colonies and individuals, and any notable behaviours observed (e.g., nesting) at each colony. GPS coordinates and photographs will help produce a final map with locations, which will be shared with e-Bird.