PEI Watershed Alliance

PEI Watershed Alliance The Prince Edward Island Watershed Alliance (PEIWA) is non-profit cooperative association of watershed management groups on Prince Edward Island, Canada

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Access to clean, safe water is a fundamental human right and essential for the physical, social and economic well-being of all Prince Edward Island residents

• Environmental stewardship is at the forefront of the work of the Alliance; water conservation and water quality issues must be considered in the global context and related to other environmental issues such as climate

change

• Each member watershed group is autonomous; its capacity to develop and achieve its own goals must be respected

• Successful action depends on willingness to engage communities and to work collaboratively with other community-based organizations and sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, fishing and shell-fishing, forestry, community or municipal councils, and tourism

• Active participation of member watershed groups is essential for the success of the Alliance

• Member groups are equal in status, regardless of size or number of years in existence

OBJECTIVES

• Serve as a strong, representative voice for community-based watershed organizations

• Support new and existing watershed groups in their development

• Support all watershed groups to carry out the work they have defined as necessary to improve and protect the environmental quality of their watersheds

• promote and improve communication and cooperation between watershed groups in P.E.I.

• Facilitate opportunities for watershed groups to collaborate on the provision of training and services

• Ensure that watershed planning and conservation efforts are taking place in all P.E.I. watersheds

• Ensure that issues affecting the environmental quality of our watersheds are addressed

• Provide input into public policy and programs that support conservation, protection and enhancement of Prince Edward Island’s watersheds

• Create public awareness of watershed issues and of the role of individuals and community in addressing those issues

The second annual Up West Forest Fest is scheduled for September 19th, 10am to 3pm at Bloomfield Provincial Park!Join us...
08/24/2026

The second annual Up West Forest Fest is scheduled for September 19th, 10am to 3pm at Bloomfield Provincial Park!

Join us to celebrate the unique watersheds and forests in western PEI with displays, children’s activities, BBQ, music and several interpretive nature walks taking place both at Bloomfield Park and other locations throughout Prince County to showcase western PEI's various ecosystems.

The details on the walks will be announced in the coming week on the Up West Forest Fest website: http://www.upwestforestfest.ca

Learn to identify Shorebirds! 🪶🌊Join Nature Newfoundland and Labrador for an Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey Webinar on...
08/21/2026

Learn to identify Shorebirds! 🪶🌊

Join Nature Newfoundland and Labrador for an Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey Webinar on September 16th, 6:30pm AST.

To register for the webiner, please visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82807887031

The talk will cover Atlantic Canada Shorebird Survey information and Shorebird identification within the Atlantic Region. This is an attempt to get folks more involved in Shorebird Surveys and teach folks how to identify shorebirds! Please share widely with anyone you think might be interested.

Applications for the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund Fall 2026 open next week! 🌳🍃🦋🦆🐍🦇🐟💧🌸
08/20/2026

Applications for the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund Fall 2026 open next week!
🌳🍃🦋🦆🐍🦇🐟💧🌸

P.E.I. WATERSHED GROUP URGES ANGLERS TO STAY OFF SOME RIVERS DURING THE HEAT:High water temperatures can make it harder ...
08/05/2026

P.E.I. WATERSHED GROUP URGES ANGLERS TO STAY OFF SOME RIVERS DURING THE HEAT:
High water temperatures can make it harder for native fish to recover after being caught.

The Morell River Management Cooperative says some summer days are simply too hot to fish in Prince Edward Island’s rivers and streams.
The watershed group is urging anglers to think twice before casting a line when water temperatures climb.
“Warmer water holds significantly less dissolved oxygen than cold water,” said Hannah Murnaghan, the group’s watershed co-ordinator.
“That makes it hard for our native fish like brook trout and salmon, and that can trigger a stress response in the fish.”
A heat warning is in effect across P.E.I., with hot and humid conditions expected from Wednesday afternoon through Friday. Temperatures could feel as high as 36 C with the humidex.
Murnaghan said a large portion of the Morell River is restricted to fly-fishing with only catch and release, which is a conservation measure aimed at protecting Atlantic salmon and brook trout.
“If people are catching and releasing these fish in water that's above 20 degrees, it can be fatal because their bodies are already stressed, and they can't always recover from the exhaustion of a fight,” she said.
During hot weather, fish that depend on cold, well-oxygenated water often seek refuge in cooler patches of the river.
Murnaghan said anglers should consider changing their fishing habits during hot spells.
“We just recommend ... to try fishing saltwater species like mackerel or striped bass instead to give those cold water fish a little break and let them just rest in those cold water areas.”
The cooperative posts weekly temperature updates on its page. Signs at popular fishing spots along the river direct people to those updates.
“Since installing those signs and posting our updates, we have noticed that anglers are choosing to fish either early morning or not at all when the temperatures are really high.”

COOLER WEATHER THIS SUMMER BRINGS SOME RELIEF:
So far this summer, Murnaghan said the Morell River has fared relatively well compared to recent years.
“We have seen temperatures reach the low 20s on our warmest afternoons, but some cooler nights and a decent amount of rain so far this summer has provided relief,” she said.
In 2024, the cooperative partnered with the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance and the province’s Forest, Fish and Wildlife division to map out cold spots along the Morell River.
“A helicopter flew over the entire Morell and identified where all the cold water patches existed,” Murnaghan said.
“These could be spring upwellings or cold water tributaries that flow into the main branch.”
Based on that map, crews spent the past couple of summers removing barriers such as beaver dams and blockages so fish could reach those cooler areas.
“We are happy to report that we've made access to 94 of those identified cold water patches,” she said.
The group has also been planting trees along the river.
“The goal is that planting some long-lived species like yellow birch and sugar maple will provide shade to the river in future years, especially since we lost so much of that shade during Fiona,” Murnaghan said.

🔊 Listen to the full article on CBC's website!

PEI Watershed Alliance had the pleasure of attending Southeast Environmental Association's Open House on Saturday! SEA's...
08/04/2026

PEI Watershed Alliance had the pleasure of attending Southeast Environmental Association's Open House on Saturday!

SEA's new Conservation & Nature Education Centre is located on 112 Fraser Street in Montague. Follow Southeast Environmental Association for more information on upcoming workshops, community events, and other opportunities to connect with nature in Three Rivers and surrounding areas.

Prince Edward Island Government, Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada, Island Nature Trust, PEI Invasive Species Council, PEI Woodlot Owners Association, PEI AgriWatershed Partnership, Sustainable Forest Alliance

Last week PEI Watershed Alliance assisted Trout River Environmental Committee and Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed A...
07/27/2026

Last week PEI Watershed Alliance assisted Trout River Environmental Committee and Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association in completing bat emergence counts at known roosting sites. Emergence counts are a non-intrusive survey method to gauge bat population trends on PEI. This project was undertaken with the financial support of: Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Have you seen any bats hanging around? If so - we’d like to hear from you! Please reach out to your local watershed group, or call Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative's BAT HOTLINE: 1-833-434-BATS (2287), to report bat sightings or roosting locations on PEI.

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La semaine dernière, la PEI Watershed Alliance a aidé le Trout River Environmental Committee et la Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association à effectuer des dénombrements de chauves-souris à leur sortie du gîte, sur des sites connus. Ces dénombrements constituent une méthode d'inventaire non intrusive permettant d'évaluer les tendances des populations de chauves-souris à l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Ce projet a été réalisé avec l'appui financier de : Environnement et Changement climatique Canada.

Avez-vous aperçu des chauves-souris dans les environs ? Si oui, nous aimerions avoir de vos nouvelles ! Veuillez contacter votre association locale de bassin versant ou appeler la ligne d'information sur les chauves-souris (BAT HOTLINE) du Réseau canadien pour la santé de la faune au 1-833-434-BATS (2287) pour signaler toute observation ou tout gîte de chauves-souris à l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Nursery Project Manager to support the continued development and operation o...
07/24/2026

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Nursery Project Manager to support the continued development and operation of our tree nursery initiative. This position will play a key role in the ongoing care, management, and advancement of the nursery throughout the growing season, while contributing to broader tree conservation efforts across Prince Edward Island.

The Nursery Project Manager will receive guidance from the PEI Watershed Alliance (PEIWA) 2 Billion Trees Coordinator but will be primarily responsible for implementing nursery operations and ensuring the success of the program during the contract period, and report to the Executive Director of PEIWA.
Duties:
Lead nursery care activities, including effective weeding and watering schedules to support optimal seedling growth.
Monitor nursery health by identifying and addressing issues from pests, wildlife damage, disease, and weather.
Document seasonal activities, best practices, and operational considerations.
Lead all native tree seed collection including planning, collection, processing, and storage of local seed.
Support 2 Billion Trees planting initiatives as needed, including field coordination and implementation.
Tree planting under the 2 Billion Trees program.
Assist with the development of planting plans, including species selection, site considerations, and planting logistics.
Provide support to other PEIWA programs and initiatives as required.
Required Skills and Abilities
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
a strong interest in native tree conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable forestry practices
Ability to work collaboratively within a team, with some independent work, and some work as leader of a team.
Asset Qualifications
Experience in any of the following: supervising staff, tree planting, seed collecting, ArcGIS and/or FieldMaps
Education or training in any of the following: first aid, biology/botany/forestry,
Work location:
The nursery is located at Glenaladale Estate - 257 Blooming Pt. Road in Tracadie Cross. This is the main base for work during the growing season, and employees must have reliable transportation to reach this site each day.

The PEI Watershed Alliance is collaborating with the provincial government to deliver the “Watershed Area and Smaller Si...
07/24/2026

The PEI Watershed Alliance is collaborating with the provincial government to deliver the “Watershed Area and Smaller Sites” stream of the PEI 2 Billion Trees program. Our team will work together to plant trees across the island to increase the forested area of PEI’s landscape.

We’re in search of motivated individuals who enjoy working outdoors and can achieve a good quantity of work while maintaining quality, planting trees with care. We are looking to build a team that is adaptable and ready to make this project a success!

Duties:

Load/unload trees into the truck.
Plant trees according to site plans (ex. spacing interval, species composition) across various types of terrain and in all weather conditions which are considered safe.
Maintain the health of seedlings in your care by monitoring for signs of stress and taking actions to prevent tree mortality (ex. apply water, move to shade).
Requirements:

Must possess the physical ability to
Stand and/or walk for extended periods
Bend frequently
Carry a planting harness loaded with trees (weighing approximately 15-25kg)
Lift, carry, and place items weighing up to 25 kg)
Use hand tools required for planting
Must have reliable transportation to meet at the Glenaladale Estate: Blooming Point Rd, Mount Stewart, PE C0A 1T0 workday morning and arrange their own transportation home. Teams will carpool to planting sites with the company vehicle.
Necessary Soft-skills:

Punctual, Adaptable, Collaborative, Inclusive
Asset Skills:

Experience planting trees or working outdoors, first aid training, knowledge of local trees. Remuneration: $20.00/hour (+4% vacation pay) for 40 hours per week.
Other information:

Hours of work will generally be from 8am to 4pm
Term of employment is weather dependant-as long as the weather is conducive for planting trees, employment will continue through September

07/24/2026

Today PEI Watershed Alliance attended the Pride Flag raising ceremony at Charlottetown City Hall with Pride PEI, Peers Alliance, Mayor Phillip Brown, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown Sean Casey, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Brad Trivers.

This ceremony marks the beginning of Pride Fest 2026. For a full list of events happening this week please check Pride PEI's website: https://www.pridepei.ca/pride-fest-26-schedule

Happy Pride! 🌈

The Government of Canada is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to how major projects are reviewed and approved ...
07/17/2026

The Government of Canada is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to how major projects are reviewed and approved across the country. These proposals could influence environmental oversight, public participation, and project approval timelines.

Whether your priority is stronger environmental protections, more efficient project approvals, or finding a balance between the two, this is an opportunity to have your perspective heard.

📄 Read the discussion paper linked below:

https://shorturl.at/d68MZ

📧 Submit your comments to: [email protected]

🗓️ Deadline: July 22, 2026

Thoughtful, evidence-based feedback from individuals, communities, and organizations can help shape the future of Canada’s project review process.

Address

420 University Avenue, Suite 218
Charlottetown, PE
C1A7Z5

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