Intervale Associates

03/13/2026

Thank you to Western Environment Centre Newfoundland for hosting and inviting us as a speaker. It was great to connect with the community on a very important topic!

03/11/2026

The CNPP Long Range Biodiversity collaborative held a workshop at the Marble Inn in Steady Brook on March 4, which celebrated the achievements of this large, seven-year project and explored strategies for going forward. Organized by Intervale staff, the event featured many heart-felt remarks from partners. Samara Eaton and Laura King of ECCC and Canadian Wildlife Service facilitated the “Tree of Wins” and “Collaboration Continuum”—activities that inspired reflection while moving about the room. There was positive energy all around as people expressed the desire to maintain the collaborative relationships and move forward together.

02/19/2026

Intervale Associates will be in Anchor Point on Wednesday, February 25th.

Stop by the Lion's Club between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to learn and chat with us about aquatic invasive species and species at risk, our ongoing projects, and how you can get involved. 🦀🌊

This is an open community event, everyone is welcome. You can drop by anytime during the event. Refreshments and snacks will be provided! Prizes will also be available for attendees.

Feel free to share this post to anyone who may be interested.

TTown of Anchor Point

02/16/2026

The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team at Intervale Associates aims to increase public awareness and understanding of AIS- how to identify them, their impacts, and actions community members can take to prevent their spread.

Community collaboration and stewardship are crucial in addressing AIS. We enjoy any opportunity to attend events, host events, and give demonstrations or presentations to communities and schools.

If you would like to see us come to your community for a chance to voice concerns, ask questions, share information, and learn more about AIS and what the AIS team at Intervale Associates does, contact us:

Email [email protected] or call (709) 215-0097

This project is made possible with funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

02/06/2026

Intervale Associates will be in Cox's Cove on Wednesday, February 11th.

Stop by the Town Hall between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm to learn and chat with us about aquatic invasive species and species at risk, our ongoing projects, and how you can get involved. 🦀🌊

This is an open community event, everyone is welcome. You can drop by anytime during the event. Refreshments and snacks will be provided!

Feel free to share this post to anyone who may be interested.

01/23/2026

Last week, Intervale’s President, Dr. Kathleen Blanchard had the privilege of attending an ENGO roundtable discussion on nature in Newfoundland and Labrador. ENGO leaders had the opportunity to engage with the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature. This meeting was a great opportunity for Intervale and other ENGOs to discuss the unique successes and challenges of nature and conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador. This opportunity brought great ideas forward and we are grateful to all of the roundtable members and Nature Conservancy of Canada for facilitating the productive meeting.

Environment and Climate Change
Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada

01/21/2026

Intervale Associates will be in Port aux Basques on Thursday, January 29th.

Stop by the Bruce II Sports Centre (in the Joe Lane Room) between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm to learn and chat with us about aquatic invasive species and species at risk, our ongoing projects, and how you can get involved. 🦀🌊

This is an open community event, everyone is welcome. You can drop by anytime during the event. Refreshments and snacks will be provided!

Feel free to share this post to anyone who may be interested!

PAB Council News

01/19/2026

Intervale is pleased to share the Limestone Landscapes website created in collaboration with partners of the Limestone Landscapes of the Great Northern Peninsula Priority Place Project. Made possible by funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Check out the website to learn more about the incredible landscapes, rare species and amazing work taking place on the Great Northern Peninsula.

Environment and Climate Change
Stewardship Association of Municipalities Inc
Forestry, Agriculture and Lands NL
Gros Morne National Park
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Wilder Institute
Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada
Birds Canada

Limestone Landscape of the Great Northern Peninsula Priority Place for Species at Risk

01/09/2026

Along with our work trapping European green crab, another key component of our 2025 field season focused on surveying invasive tunicate species along western Newfoundland and the Great Northern Peninsula. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team at Intervale Associates has been busy conducting presence and absence surveys, which involves deploying “tunicate towers” off of wharves in local harbours. These towers consist of a brick for weight, a temperature data logger (to measure ocean surface temperature over time), and PVC plates (see photo below). If tunicates have invaded that location, they will typically grow on the PVC plates (and many times the brick and rope as well!) on the tower. Thank you to our project funder, Fisheries and Oceans Canada for allowing us to do this work.

Check out the photos below, showing golden star tunicate (𝘉𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪). This is one of the many invasive biofouling organisms found in Newfoundland’s coastal waters. Golden star tunicate will form dense colonies and dominate both natural and artificial/man-made structures, like rocks, wharves, boats, and aquaculture gear. This species can also displace, suffocate, and outcompete other organisms, such as mussels, scallops, and eelgrass.

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How can you stop invasive biofouling species like golden star tunicate from spreading? Learn about how you can Clean, Drain, Dry, and Decontaminate your boat and equipment to stop these species from hitching a ride: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/ais-eae/prevention/clean-drain-dry-decontaminate-lavez-videz-sechez-decontaminez-eng.html

Have you seen golden star tunicate or any other aquatic invasive species? Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada to report it: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/contact/invasive-species-especes-envahissantes-eng.html

12/16/2025

In October, more than 40 participants gathered in Black Duck Siding for the Forward Together for Biodiversity & Community Conference hosted by Intervale. Many of whom are partners in the Long Range Biodiversity Community-Nominated Priority Place (CNPP), a seven-year collaborative initiative funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Canada Nature Fund. The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the success achieved to date and to explore how collaboration, conservation and stewardship efforts can be carried forward beyond the project’s completion in March 2026.

Environment and Climate Change
Forestry, Agriculture and Lands NL
Qalipu Environment and Natural Resources
Stewardship Association of Municipalities Inc
Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada
Birds Canada
No'kmaq Village
Stephenville Crossing Recreation
Kruger inc.

11/21/2025

Happy World Fisheries Day! 🌊

Today is a reminder that fisheries aren’t just resources- they’re part of our identity, livelihoods, and coastal heritage.

One way we can help protect our fisheries is by tackling aquatic invasive species (AIS), like European green crab and invasive tunicates. Through monitoring, removals, and community outreach, we’re working hard to stop the spread and protect the native species that support our fisheries. Every trap set and every conversation had helps keep our waters healthy for future generations.

Another important part of supporting our coastal ecosystems is reducing marine debris. Through our bait box liner program, Harbour Authorities and local harvesters have been recycling their bait box liners, making a real difference in preventing plastic pollution, protecting marine species, and keeping our working waters cleaner. A huge thank you to the Harbour Authorities and fishermen who have taken this on. Your commitment helps protect the ocean we all depend on and it doesn’t go unnoticed. 🐟

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

11/17/2025

Our 2025 field season is coming to an end, and it was a successful season for trapping invasive European green crab! 🦀

Intervale staff set traps at numerous sites along the west coast, from Port aux Basques to Bear Cove. We removed a total of 4,471 green crab from Newfoundland's coastal waters, through surveys of new and emerging populations, as well as mitigation trapping of known populations.

These efforts will help reduce green crab population numbers and contribute to understanding the spread and extent of this species in western Newfoundland and the Great Northern Peninsula, in turn helping to protect valuable native species. 🦞🐟

Thank you to Fisheries and Oceans Canada for funding this project.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada