Agricultural Dykelands

 

The Tantramar Wetlands Centre is part of the area of land originally settled by the Acadians in the late 1600’s. Located on the edge of the world-famous Tantramar Marshes, the area was almost entirely salt marsh in pre-settlement time. The Acadians drained and dyked these marshes creating agricultural dykelands, used principally as pasture and for producing hay. In 1755, the local French Fort Beauséjour fell to the British and the Acadians were expelled from the area. English settlers occupied the vacant Acadian lands and further drained the marshes. Today, over 80% of the original pre-settlement wetlands have disappeared.

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A Wetland Restored

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In 1997, students from Tantramar Regional High School assisted Ducks Unlimited Canada in the construction of a freshwater wetland on the school’s property. This wetland restoration is the centerpiece of 50 acres of wildlife habitat being restored and managed as an outdoor classroom by TWC. Wide trails and pathways provide immediate safe access to the site and connect this natural laboratory to an indoor wetlab and work area equipped to handle large groups of visitors. An extensive inventory of field and laboratory equipment is available at the Centre for use by program participants. Whether the activity calls for hip waders or binoculars, TWC will provide the necessary tools to reveal the mystery and excitement wetlands offer.

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Site

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The centre-piece TWC is its 15 ha fresh-water wetland, designed specifically for teaching and learning about wetlands. The impoundment was constructed adjacent to the campus of Tantramar Regional High School, situated on the edge of the world famous Tantramar Marshes. Just steps away from the cattails is the centre’s 6,000 ft2 indoor facility that provides laboratory space and a fully wired teaching theatre to support the outdoor programs.

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Mission

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The Tantramar Wetlands Centre’s mission is to promote wetland conservation through effective public education aimed primarily at students and their teachers. Past human practices that have led to a loss of over half of our freshwater and 65% of our coastal wetlands and these vital habitats continue to disappear.

Education can be a powerful and effective tool to address these issues. As more individuals come to understand the ecological, social and economic contributions wetlands make (and what really cool places they are!!) not only do the consequences of wetland destruction become clear, but the opportunity and public interest in protecting these areas grows. The challenge is to provide the right kind of education programs – ones that will capture the minds and the hearts of the learners and form lasting, positive impressions concerning these important habitats. The Tantramar Wetlands Centre project is providing this type of experience through its ‘rubber boots’ approach to teaching and learning about wetlands and with the continued support of our partners it looks forward to doing so in the years ahead.

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Long term, our goal is to become self-sustaining provider of outstanding environmental education programs for students, teachers, and the general public. Through ongoing habitat and site restoration and by building on its reputation for excellence, TWC strives to become a model of community-based, environmental education. To achieve these goals, TWC will continue to work with groups and individuals interested in promoting environmental stewardship through innovative and exciting educational experiences.

 

 

Board of Directors:

 

President/Chairperson-Melanie Ball

 

Vice President-n/a

 

Secretary-Melanie Ball

 

Treasurer-Nathaniel Miller

 

Executive Director-Melanie Ball

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Barbara Brush

Alison Butcher

Susan Lafford

Nic MacMillan

Al Smith

Sean Ward

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