Author: admin

New Lookout Point at the Trout River Park

We are so excited to announce that the new lookout point at The Trout River Community Park, 1895 Trout River Rd – Rte 239 Millvale, was completed in December and looking beautiful! We were sad to see Fiona take the previous lookout point but we hope the new one will last a very long time. This lookout point was specially designed, with anchoring in the back portion rather than on the bank so in the case of another storm surge the lookout point should stay right where it is!

We would like to give a big thank you to the PEI Active Transportation Fund for supporting this project!

PEI 2 Billion Trees Program

Are you interested in having trees planted on your property at no cost? Check out the PEI 2 Billion Trees program – it just might be the right fit for you! 

Simply apply, then provincial forestry staff and/or PEI Watershed Alliance staff will carefully evaluate your site and goals to determine your eligibility as well as the suitability of six different species available: white spruce, white pine, eastern hemlock, white birch, yellow birch, and red maple.

Visit this provincial webpage to learn more and apply through their portal if you are interested.

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/pei-2-billion-trees-landowner-application

#PEI2BillionTrees

Chickadee Nesting Video

In early spring TREC installed 20 new Tree Swallow nesting boxes on poles around the watershed. Nesting boxes were installed on poles rather than trees as a way to avoid unwanted guests such as Red Squirrels or Eastern Chipmunks.
 
As part of this project funded by the Wildlife Conservation Fund, we wanted to capture footage of the Tree Swallow nesting process, but a Chickadee decided to move into our nesting box instead! We were able to capture the nesting process from egg to nestling to full feathered Chickadee and condense the video so you can all watch too. Visit the resources page of our website, or use this link to few the video: Chickadee Video

Chickadees nest once a year between April and July laying anywhere between 1 and 13 eggs in the clutch but on average will lay around 6-7. The nest can take around 4 days to 2 weeks to construct depending on the location and materials available. The Chickadee will then lay one egg a day, typically in the morning. The eggs are white with brown dots and the incubation period takes about 12-13 days and then an additional 12-16 days between hatching for the chicks to leave the nest.
 
We loved having this adorable little family right outside our office!

Saltmarsh Restoration Volunteer Day

As part of our Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund project, Trout River Environmental Committee is working to improve the health and carbon capture capacity of saltmarshes within the watershed.

TREC is looking for volunteers to help install coir logs and dig runnels this Saturday October 28th from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

The work involves digging runnels (30cm deep by 30cm wide channels) with shovels to improve water flow and vegetation within the marsh. As well as placing and staking coir logs to encourage sediment holding and establishment of vegetation as well as reduce erosion within the marsh.

Please email projects@troutriverec.ca to RSVP and ask for further details.

We will be meeting in the parking lot at Carr’s Oyster Bar located at 32 Campbellton Rd, Stanley Bridge, PE C0B 1M0 at 10:30am.

What to bring:

Rubber Boots
-Gloves
-Water
-Clothes that you are comfortable getting muddy/wet

We hope to see you there!

PEI AgriWatershed Project

This September TREC partnered with the PEI AgriWatershed Partnership to install a grassed waterway in order to reduce in-stream sedimentation from soil erosion. Berms were also built to divert flow towards the grassed waterway and energy dissipators were put in place to slow flowing waters before entering the stream. This project will work to reduce agricultural runoff and keep topsoil on the field, improving surface water and soil health.

It is important to use a jute erosion mat to protect your structures and keep them functioning properly, this jute will eventually degrade leaving a functional grassed waterway.

Thank you to the AgriWatershed Partnership and the landowners for working to create an overall healthier watershed!

Farewell to our wonderful field crew

We bid farewell to our dedicated summer field crew, including Marilyn Sheen, Paige Campbell, Chris Levesque, and Vee Chatterjee, who are heading back to school.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Field Supervisor, David MacLeod, who has been with us for the last three summers. Your contributions have been invaluable and best of luck to all in your future endeavors!

(Pictured from left to right: Chris Levesque, Vee Chatterjee, Marilyn Sheen, David MacLeod, Paige Campbell)

Nature Walk at the Devil’s Punchbowl

Join us on a walk around the Devil’s Punchbowl Trail to enjoy the outdoors and learn about local flora and fauna with TREC and Nicole Murtagh! Nicole has a diverse background in the field of conservation and will talk about birds, plants and anything interesting we encounter along the trail.

Meet at the Devil’s Punchbowl Trail parking lot, Saturday, August 5th at 9am.

*Please RSVP by emailing projects@troutriverec.ca spots are limited*

TREC 4th Annual Tree Drive

TREC is holding our 4th Annual Tree Drive, Friday, July 21st from 4pm-7pm! The Tree Drive will be located at our office, 575 Taylor Road North Granville.

This will be an opportunity for current members to renew their membership, or for new members to sign up. Come and meet the TREC crew and take home native trees and shrubs to improve your property by providing habitat for wildlife, shade and wind cover.

If you are unable to attend but would like to donate to TREC, renew or purchase a new membership, please visit https://troutriverec.ca/membership/ for online options.

We look forward to seeing you all there, July 21st from 4-7pm!