ACAP Cape Breton’s environmental education programming comes to Inverness County
December 12, 2023
Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Cape Breton is an environmental non-profit organization that offers the knowledge that Cape Bretoners need to make greener choices, and works directly on practical solutions that help protect and restore our natural environment. ACAP Cape Breton was established in 1992 to assist with tar pond remediation. Since that time, the organization has evolved into a dynamic group that integrates environmental, social, and economic factors into projects focusing on action, education, and ecosystem planning.
Over the last 30 years, most of ACAP’s work has focused within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, but this fall ACAP Cape Breton and the Municipality of Inverness County launched an eco-partnership – the first of its kind in Western Cape Breton.
ACAP hit the ground running, visiting elementary and secondary schools up and down the county, talking to students about watersheds, source water and water quality, wetlands, climate change, and citizen science. ACAP also presented to L’Arche Cape Breton on microplastics and led the participants in a local litter clean-up.
One favourite activity amongst the public is ACAPs watershed walks, which are free to attend, open to all and a great way to socialize and learn with a group of nature enthusiasts. The walks are designed to be informative but informal. Participants are welcome to ask questions and also share their knowledge. The goal of these walks is to increase awareness of the work being done and to get residents outside in their own backyards.ACAP hit the ground running, visiting elementary and secondary schools up and down the county, talking to students about watersheds, source water and water quality, wetlands, climate change, and citizen science. ACAP also presented to L’Arche Cape Breton on microplastics and led the participants in a local litter clean-up.
The first watershed walk was hosted in Margaree-Lake Ainslie Watershed Walk along the South West Margaree River. It was a beautiful, cloudy day, and the rain held off as participants walked and talked for just over 4 kilometers.
Jen Cooper and Kathleen Aikens from ACAP spoke about species identification, invasive species, and native plants. During the walk, participants both saw and heard a lot of interesting species including:
Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Yellow and white birch trees (Betula alleghaniensis and Betula papyrifera)
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Different species of lichen such as freckled pelt (Peltigera aphthosa)
Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana)
Purple Jellydiscs (Ascocoryne sarcoides) and a fungus called Helicogloea compressa.
Invasive Woodland angelica (Angelica sylvestris)
ACAP Cape Breton’s Monica Ragan, Program Manager for Western Cape Breton, is excited about this type of programming coming to Inverness County. “Not only does Inverness County have so much natural beauty, but there are many people who care about the wellbeing of our environment. Having the opportunity to learn from other organizations and individuals about what this watershed means to the human and biological communities is invaluable,” she says.
To help participants learn more about this fascinating watershed, ACAP and the municipality joined forces with the Margaree Salmon Association. The Salmon Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization, serving as a voice for salmon conservation in the area. They’re dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing Atlantic salmon and their habitat.
Aaron Allen, coordinator with the Salmon Association and Bill Haley, its treasurer, spoke about their work in the watershed and past and future research for the watershed. It was wonderful to hear about all this work the Margaree Salmon Association is doing to protect Atlantic salmon within this river system. From research projects to habitat restoration, their volunteers are busy improving this watershed!
Aaron stressed how important this sort of event is, in terms of gathering and educating folks. “We at Margaree Salmon Association always enjoys showing off our watershed with folks interested in nature and the outdoors in general. Even if you’re not a fisher or river user, it’s impossible to deny Margaree her beauty,” he said.
“The watershed walk was a great way for folks from all walks of life to chat about the watershed and learn from each other. We had people keen on tree identification, fungi nerds, and avid birders all sharing what we saw along the way. The more folks we have learning and enjoying our beautiful places the more it benefits the long-term protection and restoration efforts in Margaree. We’re looking forward to lots more events like this in the future,” said Aaron.
This walk is expected to be the first of many in Inverness County! ACAP Cape Breton is hoping to host at least one walk per season. The next is slated for January 27, 2024 in Chéticamp, in association with the municipality and with Chéticamp Salmon Association. Check out the facebook post for more information.
Stay in touch with ACAP Cape Breton by following them on Facebook (@ACAP Cape Breton), Instagram (@acapcb), or check out their website acapcb.ns.ca.