Nashwaak Watershed Restoration and Outreach

The Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc. (NWAI) was founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promote, conserve, and restore the Nashwaak ecosystem by using science-based methods, community collaboration, and advocacy for the watershed and its inhabitants. The organization’s vision is to see “people caring for a clean, healthy, and beautiful Nashwaak River watershed that supports and connects people and wildlife for years to come.”

The overarching objective of the project is to improve the natural infrastructure in the lower Nashwaak Watershed to enhance the capacity of the floodplain to contribute to improved freshwater quality (reduced sediment and contaminants, improved fish habitat, reduced bank widening due to erosion, etc.), and mitigate climate change impacts. Community education and outreach about the importance of watersheds will take place at public volunteer events, through school programming, and community workshops.

This project will build on our past restoration efforts, as we continue reforestation efforts on two municipal properties that are owned by the City of Fredericton and are largely composed of retired hayfields. Restoring these areas to natural floodplain forest will include the planting of 1500 live willow stakes and approximately 10,000 native tree seedlings, some as part of public planting events.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michelle Gray

Student:

Partner:

Nashwaak Watershed Association

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: