The Buzz at KEPO 2.3

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

The Buzz at KEPO The Official Newsletter of the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office

Hairy Woodpecker

What's the Buzz at KEPO? Welcome!

This is the official newsletter of the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO). The Buzz at KEPO is a quarterly newsletter that will provide updates on current KEPO

Highlights & Project Updates Environmental Remediation Invasive Species Meet the Team EMSA Bird Census MOTUS Tower Wildlife Profile Christmas Bird Count

initiatives and events, as well as environmental information relevant to Kahnawa'kehró:non. Keep on reading to see what we’ve been doing to protect and better our environment.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

KEPO Project Environmental Remediation

by Stephanie Butera, Environmental Projects Coordinator Contaminated Sites

Innovations and technology have improved our quality of life and shaped society as we know it, but they also come

with

a

price.

One

significant

impact

of

industrialization is environmental pollution. Many of the things that make our lives easier also leave their mark

on

the

planet

in

the

form

of

chemical

contamination. Many harmful chemicals persist in air, soil,

and

water

for

many

years

before

they

are

eventually diluted enough to no longer be toxic, but some never go away.

Environmental remediation is the process of restoring the

natural

environment

of

an

area

and

decontaminating it to a level that is acceptable for future land use. Remediation is often a combination of different on-site and off-site techniques that aim to clean up the site, followed by a monitoring plan. The first step is always to investigate the history of the area to identify potential concerns. This would then be followed by environmental sampling to determine whether the area is contaminated and to characterize the severity. Once all the necessary information is collected a remediation plan can be made.

Environmental pollution control method.

The second step is usually to remove the source of contamination. Once this is done, often the affected media (soil, water, etc.) are also removed to reduce the concentration of contaminants in the area. The media would then be taken to facilities that are equipped to decontaminate, or at least store the materials. Over time, nature can work its magic and clean up the remaining chemical contaminants, which is referred to

it

as Natural Attenuation. This process, however, can be

is

extremely slow and unsuitable for lands that are to be

considered toxic when there is contact with an amount

used soon. One interesting on-site technique that can

of this chemical that causes adverse effects to the body.

be used to speed up the process is Phytoremediation.

Governments have set threshold limits and guidelines,

This technique uses plant biology to remove, neutralize,

based on research on the effects of each chemical

or stabilize chemicals in soils and water. Certain plant

toxicity, and we compare the amounts measured during

species are known to take in chemicals and store them

our investigations to the government guidelines to

in their shoots and leaves, others break them down and

determine whether there is risk to human health or

turn them into neutral, naturally occurring elements,

wildlife and whether remediation is necessary.

and others hold them in their root systems, preventing

A

substance

contains

a

is

considered

detectable

contaminated

amount

of

when

chemical.

It

them from spreading to other areas. There are also techniques that use bacteria to break down and neutralize

chemicals

in

different

media.

As

our

knowledge of environmental pollution increases, we have

turned

our

innovative

attention

to

finding

solutions to this problem. Of course, we can all help by being mindful of the things that we buy and use and their impacts on our environment.

Painted Turtles.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

KEPO Training

Meet the Team

Invasive Species Conference

Marina Gosselin

by Cole Delisle, Environmental Projects Coordinator Terrestrial Habitats

Environmental Projects Coordinator - Climate Change

Two invasive species currently found in the United States have

been

put

on

high

threat

watchlists

from

environmental organizations across Canada. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and oak wilt (Bretziella fagacaerum) could pose serious threats to our forests if they are able to spread into the region. Spotted lanternfly is an insect which lays eggs and feeds on a variety of host trees. It prefers the invasive Chinese sumac or tree-ofheaven (Ailanthus altissima), of which there are small populations in Canada, but can also feed on a number of different fruit trees, oaks, walnuts, poplars, maples, and pines. The insects feed on the host tree causing wounds which can promote fungal growth and eventual death of

Marina joined the KEPO team in June of 2021 as

the plant. Besides the impacts to forests, the wine and

the

maple industries could see serious damage.

Climate

Oak wilt is a fungus which is suspected to have been introduced to the United States in the 1990’s. The fungus spreads when beetles feed on spore mats found on dead or dying oaks. The beetles then move to a healthy tree infecting it. It can also travel through the root system of trees so even after the tree dies above ground it can keep infecting others. Red oaks infected will often die in the first year, white oaks can localize the infection and hang on for several years, declining slowly.

Movement of wood or nursery stock is one way that these invasives could be introduced to our area. Making sure nursery stock is locally grown, buying native species, and not moving firewood are a couple of ways to prevent the spread. Learn to identify the Spotted Lanternfly or sign of Oak Wilt. Alert KEPO if you find these species in the area.

Environmental Change.

Projects Marina’s

Coordinator work

focuses

for on

implementing adaptation and mitigation actions in

Kahnawà:ke.

climate

change

This

means

identifying

how

will

impact

people

the

and

environment, and finding ways to adapt and prepare the community. Marina has coordinated tree planting activities, such as the food forest as well as workshops on ecological gardening, solar panel installations, a building energy efficiency audit, and raising awareness and communications campaigns on climate change.

Before working at KEPO, Marina lived in Australia for six years where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Science with a major in Geography and Environmental Studies. She then moved to Chile for seven years, where she completed her Master’s degree

in

Human

Settlements

and

the

Environment. While in Chile she also worked for the Sustainable Development Division at the United Nations Economic Commission in Latin America.

Marina

is

passionate

about

the

environment and loves traveling, taking walks in nature, reading, camping, and learning about gardening, plants and birds. Since returning home to Canada, Marina has enjoyed exploring new places and reconnecting and learning on the land Spotted lanternfly.

Canadian Council on Invasive Species.

Oak wilt.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

and applying this to her work at KEPO.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

Project Update Ehanced Maritime Situational Awareness

by James Serendip - Environmental GIS Specialist

The Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA) project is part of Transport Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan aimed at making coasts and waterways cleaner and safer. EMSA provides maritime information including vessel traffic, wildlife habitats, and live weather data.

The EMSA initiative centers around a web-based platform

that

allows

users

to

track

vessels,

weather conditions, events, and emergencies, mostly around waterways and coastal areas. It includes a highly customizable online resource and mobile apps. Though funded entirely by Transport Canada, the platform and project was developed in close partnership with indigenous

Cargo ship in the St. Lawrence Seaway. 2022.

community partners.

From October 24-26, 2023, EMSA held its annual meeting in Charlottetown P.E.I. Representatives from Transport Canada were in attendance, as well as EMSA Indigenous Partner Community users and representatives from around Canada.

Kahnawà:ke is one of the founding Partner Communities on the EMSA initiative, and so KEPO staff attended this meeting to represent Kahnawà:ke’s interests in the development of this project.

EMSA provides maritime information including vessel traffic.

At this meeting, the communities involved in the project all got to speak and present about how they are utilizing EMSA, and for many communities it is a vital tool! Arctic communities are using EMSA along with GPS transponders to improve safety for community members who venture out in hazardous conditions hunting and fishing, and in doing so have reduced their search and rescue calls from an annual average of around 25 to zero! For them, this system is saving lives. On the West Coast the Council of the Haida Nation is using the system to keep watch over the voluntary exclusion zone that is designed to keep vessels at a safe distance from extremely sensitive ecosystems. In the St. Lawrence estuary, communities are using EMSA to stay informed about the movement of Right Whales, commercial vessels, and community fishing vessels.

Here in Kahnawà:ke, KEPO has been using EMSA to plan and coordinate environmental restoration efforts on Tekakwitha Island and Recreation Bay as well as to monitor commercial vessel traffic in the Seaway Canal. On-going scientific research on our community’s ecosystems utilizes EMSA’s mobile app to record data in the field and visualize results on digital maps. At the meeting, KEPO presented on the pros and cons of different ways to use EMSA to create mobile apps for field data collection, and on ship speed tracking in the seaway.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

Results from October 27 Census

Project Update Bird Census

TEKAKWITHA ISLAND

BIG FENCE

Breanna Pevec, Junior Environmental Technician

Species

#

Species

#

American Crow

1

American Crow

7

American Goldfinch

1

American Goldfinch

2

American Robin

6

American Robin

3

Black-capped Chickadee

7

American Wigeon

38

Blue Jay

2

Black-capped Chickadee

12

Brown Creeper

2

Blue Jay

1

Downy Woodpecker

1

Golden-crowned Kinglet

2

population status and trends, can help determine migration routes, and can even help determine the health of the ecosystem.

Hairy Woodpecker

1

Red-bellied Woodpecker

1

Despite winter approaching and fall migration slowing down, we have observed 44 different

White-breasted Nuthatch

4

Total Individuals

28

Since mid-October, we have been conducting weekly bird counts at Tekakwitha Island and in the Big Fence area. Following a pre-determined route, we walk at a slow pace and record all bird species encountered (by sight or sound), whether they be perched on nearby trees, flying above, swimming in the bay, or out of sight but singing. We will stop to scan certain priority habitat areas, such as Rec Bay at Tekakwitha Island or the bank swallow habitat. Doing this on a weekly basis has given us a lot of insight on the birds in Kahnawà:ke! Data from surveys such as this one provides useful information on

species of birds between October 13th and December 15, 2023! Some species have been common, but we have also seen some unusual ones such as a Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Snow Bunting. Our busiest day was October 27th, where 33 species were recorded, for a total of 233 individual birds.

Seen any cool birds lately?

Feel free to email us at environmentprotection@mck.ca with any observations or pictures of birds that you might have!

Canada Goose

26

Cedar Waxwing

2

Common Loon

1

Dark-eyed Junco

8

Double-crested Cormorant

2

European Starling

13

Gadwall

4

Golden-crowned Kinglet

6

Great Egret

2

Greater Yellowlegs

1

Hermit Thrush

1

Hooded Merganser

2

House Sparrow

2

Mallard

30

Mourning Dove

3

Northern Cardinal

2

Northern Flicker

1

Red-winged Blackbird

12

Ring-billed Gull

11

Rock Pigeon

3

Song Sparrow

5

White-breasted Nuthatch

1

White-throated Sparrow

4

Total Individuals Clockwise from top left: Canadian Goose, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

205

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

Project Update MOTUS Tracking Tower

by Breanna Pevec, Junior Environmental Technician

Mist net to capture bank swallows for tagging.

Experts use what is called a “bander’s grip” to handle birds.

MOTUS nanotag radio transmitter.

In April 2023, the team at KEPO refurbished the bank

Since being tagged, we have been able to track the

swallow habitat on Tekakwitha Island. Within the first

migration of many of these individuals. The map (next

few weeks after refurbishing the site, 97 pairs of bank

page) demonstrates the flight patterns of some of

swallows were observed at the habitat! We had also

these

installed a MOTUS tower nearby. A MOTUS tower uses

Missouri, South Carolina, and Georgia. Our MOTUS

coordinated

track

tower also detected a Golden-winged warbler that

numerous species of birds, bats, or insects tagged

had been detected in Kejimkujik National Park in

with MOTUS nanotag radio transmitters. Essentially,

Nova Scotia in April before traveling 429 km to arrive

MOTUS towers have antennas that pick up the signal

in Kahnawà:ke in July. This warbler has since travelled

from a tagged individual when they fly within a few

another 2156 km (!!) and was last detected in Bristol,

kilometers of the tower. An array of MOTUS towers

Connecticut at the end of July. We are looking forward

across North and South America allows scientists to

to see if the tagged birds continue to migrate in the

detect migration pathways of tagged individuals, see

next few months and to observe where their wintering

when they arrive and depart their breeding and/or

grounds might be. We hope that they return to

wintering grounds, and determine the length of their

Kahnawà:ke in the spring!

automated

radio

telemetry

to

stays. In June, we had the opportunity to radio-tag and band 60 of the bank swallows nesting in the habitat. The birds were gently caught as they flew into a mist net at the entrance of their nest, ID tags were placed on one of their legs and a MOTUS radio telemetry tag was attached to their back like a small backpack.

swallows,

including

positive

IDs

as

far

as

KEPO has established a second MOTUS tower on the grounds of the old Kahnawà:ke Survival School. Our goal is that the data obtained from these two towers will help us monitor bird populations in their natural habitats, make informed conservation decisions, and protect endangered species.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

Flight pattern of bank swallows that were banded in Kahnawà:ke in June 2023.

wildlife profile Tekahneká:naks Bank Swallow Riparia riparia

Second MOTUS tracking tower installed at Kahnawà:ke Survival School.

Males use their small, conical bills as well as their feet and wings to dig burrows that eventually become nest chambers.

The oldest known Bank Swallow was 8 years old when it was recaptured and rereleased at a banding station in Wisconsin.

They are known as Sand Martins in the Old World.

The Bank Swallow is the smallest of North America’s swallow species. Swallows are a family of songbirds that are highly adapted to aerial insect hunting and feeding. The Bank Swallow has a chunky body, a large head, relatively short pointed wings and a forked tail.

It can be distinguished from other swallows by its small size, as well as by its warm brown back, white underparts, and the thick brown band across its chest.

Its head is brown and it has a defining white throat.

Their burrows extend about 25 inches into the side of a bank.

Bank Swallows are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica.

These elegant and speedy birds zip through the air with twisting motions. They breed in lowland areas near bodies of water, such as on Tekakwitha Island. Their territories typically include vertical cliffs or the banks of streams. They nest in colonies of 10 to 2000 nests; there are 97 nests in the Bank Swallow habitat on Tekakwitha Island! Bank Swallows are often seen in large mixed swallow flocks as they catch insects over the water.

Although they are considered a common bird, their population numbers across Canada have plummeted by 98% in the last 40 years. While still widespread, extremely steep decline has resulted in them being designated as a “threatened” species. Shoreline hardening, flood control, and road building threaten Bank Swallows as they remove banks or make them less steep, which is unsuitable for their habitats. They are also aerial insectivores and have been heavily impacted by the decline in insects from climate change and pesticide use.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT & BETTER OUR ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 2024 | VOL 2 | ISSUE 03

Community Science 88th Annual Christmas Bird Count

by Julie Teio’keráthe Delisle - Environmental Project Coordinator - Education & Outreach

The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office is happy to share that we once again participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. KEPO has participated in the bird count for many years and supports this initiative which gathers valuable bird population data. This is 88th year that Bird Protection Quebec has conducted the Montreal area Christmas Bird Count. The area covered by this survey is a 24-km wide circle centered in Montreal West.

Two teams began at sunrise continuing until late afternoon and covered specific areas within the community. The Inland Team

covered

areas

of

Big

Fence,

Tekakwitha Island, green spaces along the seaway, old railroad tracks, Tower Road, the golf clubs along the 207, and common lands near Highway 30.

The Seaway Team covered the area of the North Wall from the Ste. Catherine locks to the end of the Kahnawà:ke land base.

Full results are available on our website at kahnawakeenvironment.com/cbc-2023.

Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office 450-635-0600 environmentprotection@mck.ca @KahnawakeEnvironment

P.O. Box 720 Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory J0L 1B0

Find past issues of the Buzz at KEPO here.

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