Expanding to New Regions Annual Report 2014/15 Photo: Karina Keirstead Photo: a Year in Review – 2014/15 Annual General Meeting – October 31, 2015, Saint John, NB
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Expanding to new regions Annual Report 2014/15 Photo: Karina Keirstead Photo: A year in review – 2014/15 Annual General Meeting – October 31, 2015, Saint John, NB The Nature Trust of New Brunswick’s 28th Annual General Meeting took place at the National Water Centre in Saint John FIGURE 1: 2014/15 Land Acquisitions on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. With a view of where the St. John and • Frye Island Nature Preserve in the Bay of Fundy Kennebecasis rivers converge and flow into the Bay of Fundy, (Ecological Gift from Connors Bros. Clover Leaf significant bodies of water on which many of the Nature Trust’s Seafoods Company and the third piece of land preserves are located, the National Water Centre served as the donated by them to the Nature Trust) perfect backdrop for the meeting. There were over 50 people in in Simonds (the attendance, including members, volunteers, board members, • Eagle’s Eye Nature Preserve and staff, who discussed the organization’s past year, as well as third Upper St. John River island nature preserve direction for the future. to protect the endangered cobblestone tiger beetle, which was named by a local school as In the 2014/15 year, the Nature Trust reached several significant part of an engagement initiative) milestones, surpassing 6000 acres conserved in more than 40 • Joseph Allain Nature Preserve in Neguac (the nature preserves and expanding to two new regions in the Nature Trust’s first preserve on the Acadian province. Please see figure 1 on the right for details on the land Peninsula) acquisitions that made these milestones possible and see below for committee reports. These three nature preserves were conserved in 2014/15, but have not been announced yet, so stay tuned for more details to be released: Communications Committee Communications remains a strong focal point for the Nature • Inglenook Wetlands Nature Preserve on the Trust to increase awareness of the organization’s important Tobique River (now the Nature Trust’s most mission. A refreshed mission, vision, and values statement was northern preserve) created, which had not been updated in over 10 years, and was • Slippery Mitten Nature Preserve in Central accepted unanimously at the AGM (please see figure 2 on the Hainesville (near Crabbe Mountain and a well- top of page 2). Brand guidelines were developed and the new known cross country ski trail) logo that was implemented in the 2013/14 year continues to • Currie Nature Preserve in Rusagonis (acquired be rolled out in newly designed materials. The Nature Trust through the Habitat Stewardship Program for introduced an accessible membership method by which all Species at Risk) donations allow friends to become members by simply opting in to the membership program. The Nature Trust has seen regular and positive coverage through radio and print media outlets. Conservation on Canvas with artist and art educator Michael McEwing continues to be an effective public awareness project and a proposal for a final exhibition is in the works. On the Rise 2015 took place at the Delta Fredericton on April 25, making it the third year for the Nature Trust’s big annual fundraiser. Nomination Committee The Nature Trust said farewell to three outgoing board members— Provincially Significant Wetland on the newly conserved Joseph Jane Barry, Monika Stelzl, and Roy Hickey. Both Monika and Roy Allain Nature Preserve. served on the stewardship committee and Jane served on the communications and finance committee. They are thanked for their significant contributions to the Nature Trust over the past few years. The nominations of three new board members was presented—Raja Wetuschat, Sara Taaffe, and Tim Nowlan—who were then elected by acclamation. Raja Wetuschat is a PhD candidate with the Canadian Rivers Institute, focusing on the management of ecosystem effects on coastal zones, and has an extensive background in ecology. Sara Taaffe is a recent graduate of Renaissance College and VP of Marketing with HotSpot Parking. Tim Nowlan works as a wealth management advisor with TD accounting. We cannot wait to see what these individuals with diverse professional backgrounds will bring to the Nature Trust. Volunteers cleaning up one of the Eastern beaches during the 1 Annual Report 2014/15 Frye Island grand opening celebration. FIGURE 2: Mission, Vision, Values Statement The following represents the official ‘Mission, Vision, and Values’ of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, which was approved at the AGM on October 31, 2015. Mission • To CONSERVE areas in perpetuity that have ecological, scenic, cultural, geological, or recreational value by establishing a network of nature preserves throughout New Brunswick. • To STEWARD the nature preserves through sustainable management with the support of land stewards and community groups. • To EDUCATE the public about the importance of land conservation and environmental stewardship, engaging and connecting all people with nature. Vision We envision a future in which New Brunswick’s remarkable natural heritage is honoured through an expanding network of nature preserves that are conserved in perpetuity, providing habitat for our province’s native species. Values • We take a science-based and strategic approach to identifying and acquiring private lands by using the best available conservation science and data, while remaining flexible to ensure responsiveness as conservation opportunities arise. • We are forward-thinking and know that the safeguarding of natural spaces benefits current and future generations by enhancing their quality of life with intact and healthy ecosystems where people can experience a connection with nature. • We strive to collaborate and build partnerships with all sectors, including landowners, government, the private sector, other non-governmental organizations, cultural organizations, academic institutions, communities, and individuals to strengthen our capacity, leverage our limited resources, and engage as many partners as possible in conservation and stewardship. • We appreciate and support diversity on a number of levels, including the diversity of all living things and the conservation of habitat for biodiversity to thrive, but also the inclusivity of all human beings. • We embrace creativity and new ideas that help us to further our mission to conserve, steward, and educate and strive to apply innovative approaches to all of our projects and programs. Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Brenda O’Donnell presented the financial statements for the fiscal year, ending April 30, 2015. A surplus of $53,180 in the general account was reported. As in previous years, this excess revenue is a result of project funding received prior to the end of the fiscal year, but which was specifically allocated to projects to be completed in 2015/16. Additional revenue in stewardship and endowment accounts was invested according to the Nature Trust’s financial policy. The financial table below presents a summary of financial statements for 2015 compared to 2014. This was a strong year in terms of increasing the organization’s financial standing. Revenue Expenditures Surplus/ Surplus/ (Deficit) 2015 (Deficit) 2014 General (includes land conservation, 2,823,858 2,770,678 53,180 33,480 stewardship, education, and other operational expenses) Stewardship investments 34,815 25 34, 790 64,488 Endowment investments 56,534 0 56,534 742,095 Total 2,915,207 2,770,703 144,504 840,063 Annual Report 2014/15 2 Executive Director’s Report (snowshoes provided by the Multicultural Association of Executive Director Renata Woodward thanked board members, Carleton County). Signs of wildlife were abundant, even partners, stewards, volunteers and hardworking staff for their with several feet of snow. tireless dedication and passion for the Nature Trust. She named all the funders who made financial contributions to A trail maintenance day was held for Beldings Reef Nature the organization’s three pillars —conservation, stewardship Preserve and directional signage was installed at the new and education (see complete list of donors on page 6 and parking area established with the Seaside Baptist Church. 7). Besides expanding the network of nature preserves, the Steward Audrey Norman reported that the preserve is in Nature Trust has been focusing on conservation planning good condition. and landowner outreach in the Lower St. John River and St. Croix River watersheds. The goals of these initiatives are All members and groups involved in the Friends of Blueberry to provide the Nature Trust with strategic direction for land Hill are thanked for their dedication to the stewardship of conservation, increase the level of habitat protection, and to Blueberry Hill Nature Preserve. The 1st Westfield Scouts assist landowners in being good stewards of their land. It is hosted a snowshoeing event at the preserve and have been encouraging to see the creation of new stewardship groups and responsible for planting over 500 trees. A trail maintenance installation of signage on many nature preserves (read more day was held to construct a boardwalk. in the stewardship report). The Nature Trust also started to work on placing nature preserves under the Protected Natural We are working with the Paroisse Saint-Francois-de-Sales Areas Act, which provides them with additional protection. and the École Samuel-de-Champlain on the stewardship Work continued on streamlining Nature Trust’s educational of Boars Head Nature Preserve. A trail day was held at the programs, with the goal to use the nature preserves as outdoor preserve to install new trail markers and interpretive signage, classrooms. Partnering with many organizations helped the as well as repair the water crossing. Nature Trust to bring hundreds of people outside for nature walks, trail work days, paddling trips, and art sessions. Steward Katy Haralampides monitored Burpee Bar Nature Preserve and reports very few changes to the preserve over Stewardship Committee Report the past years. The Nature Trust hired a full-time stewardship coordinator— Richelle Martin—who has been with the organization as a Steward David Christie reports that Cape Enrage Nature student for the past four years.