The Conservation & Stewardship Program
The Conservation & Stewardship Program, established in 2017, focuses on promoting biodiversity conservation, restoration, and environmental stewardship at protected areas across the Maritimes provinces of Canada. The program helps meet a critical regional need for on-the-ground stewardship capacity, while fostering the development of next-generation environmental professionals through immersive, hands-on fieldwork.
The program’s success is built on strong partnerships with local land conservation organizations. Since the program’s inception, QLF has collaborated closely with the Nature Trust of New Brunswick (NTNB). In 2022, the program expanded its reach by partnering with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (NSNT) and the Island Nature Trust (INT), broadening its impact across diverse ecosystems.
The program is carried out through a combination of community engagement and hands-on field activities, including longitudinal surveys to assess ecosystem health and the impacts of climate change on various species and habitats. These efforts raise awareness about environmental challenges, provide practical training to future conservation leaders, and contribute to evidence-based biodiversity conservation strategies.
To date, the program has conducted 213 site visits across 131 protected and natural areas over seven field seasons.
The fieldwork primarily focuses on the following areas:
- Biodiversity monitoring includes comprehensive bird surveys as well as macro-invertebrate surveys, which serve as key bioindicators of water quality.
- Habitat management and restoration includes environmental cleanup initiatives to remove harmful debris from natural areas, as well as invasive species surveys and removal efforts.
- Community engagement includes stewardship workshops and youth educational initiatives.