History of Success

Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association project successes:

Water Monitoring, Education and Outreach Program

BBEMA was the first organization on PEI to develop and implement a watershed-based groundwater nitrate monitoring and education program in cooperation with a Technical Committee consisting of watershed stakeholders, government and academia – the results of that study continue to serve as a general baseline of rural well nitrate levels in agricultural watersheds.  Today this initiative has expanded to include a suite of curriculum based environmental education and monitoring programs that are being conducted within English and French schoolboards, as well as a specially designed program for the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI.  These programs assist community members to better understand the aquatic ecosystem, particularly surface and ground water quality issues and to take positive action to sustain this resource for the future through environmental stewardship initiatives. To-date over 2350 have students has participated in water quality monitoring activities within the Bedeque Bay watershed; 15 stream water quality monitoring sites have been established with fish habitat assessments and stream side management plans developed for landowners.

Maple Plains Demonstration Site

Developed in 1998, this unique award-winning (Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence for Environmental Stewardship) farm/demonstration site bridges the gap between agricultural and environmental sectors, facilitating communication, understanding and cooperation, between farmers, the young and public at large.  Situated on 174 acres, this educational demonstration site partners innovative agricultural practices with environmental monitoring, research and biodiversity enhancement initiatives.  This outdoor lab  provides an excellent opportunity for BBEMA to study and promote sustainable agricultural practices – ongoing experiments include: enhanced riparian and buffer zone width; soil conservation structures; agro-forestry practices; enhanced wetlands; grassed waterways with filtering systems; biological enhancement and monitoring practices.  Maple Plains demonstrates that farming in an environmentally responsible manner can be integrated successfully into the natural ecosystem.

Climate Change Mediation Program – C02, Energy/Water conservation 

Through this initiative, BBEMA has developed specialized conservation programs with numerous businesses, government and industry sectors; partnered with private industry and homeowners to incorporate energy conservation programs that reduce energy/water consumption, and decrease green house gases emissions:

HDDV Fleet Program partnered with trucking companies, sector councils and transportation industry groups to facilitate the adoption of technologies and environmental management practices allowing PE Trucking Company fleets to reduce diesel fuel consumption by 193 424 liters and CO2 emissions by 941 tonnes per year.

Green Business Program assisted local businesses to conduct energy audits and retrofits resulting in a reduction of 23.36 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and an annual reduction of water usage of 425,000 gallons.

The Alternate Energy Challenge partnered with local municipalities, residents, specialized business sector and Habitat for Humanity to assist homeowners in the adoption of renewable energy solar heating technologies resulting in a decrease of 34.34 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Green Tourism Program is currently assisting rural B&B facilities to develop individual sustainable business guidelines to decrease operation cost associated with heating/lighting, and conserve resources through the incorporation of water and eco-friendly products and practices.