Government of Canada and Birds Canada are stewarding bird conservation in Atlantic Canada

Gatineau: The Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canada’s nature, biodiversity, and species at risk. As Canadians celebrate Environment Week, we look to the skies and our bird populations as excellent indicators of the health of our air, water, and land. When bird habitats are healthy, our communities also benefit by reducing flooding and erosion, filtering groundwater, and maintaining resilient ecosystems.

That is why the Government of Canada is partnering with Birds Canada to steward local conservation projects to protect at-risk migratory birds and their habitats in Atlantic Canada. Despite their great adaptability, science shows significant decreases in many bird populations. With the assistance of $384,594 from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Birds Canada has advanced three significant habitat projects in Atlantic Canada.

Since 2020, Birds Canada has reduced the threats to piping plovers and their critical habitat by monitoring breeding pairs and reducing disturbance on 30 coastal Nova Scotia beaches to increase suitable nesting habitat.

Birds Canada also worked directly with landowners in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to help protect barn swallows and chimney swifts by providing appropriate foraging and nesting habitats.

In collaboration with local communities, the forest industry, and different levels of government, Birds Canada conserved the Bicknell’s thrush habitat, with over 1,600 hectares of breeding grounds under temporary or multi-year protection in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Through outreach, stewardship, and conservation activities, Birds Canada helps Canadians understand how humans and birds can co-adapt and share landscapes sustainably.

By continuing to support partners across the country, the Government of Canada is making meaningful progress on recovering species at risk and protecting their habitats.