Eco-Alert Winter 2016 Eng.

CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF NEW BRUNSWICK Winter 2016 Publication Poste- Mail publications 40050411 CHOOSING OUR CLIMATE FUTURE • NB FARMERS GET A BOOST • CRAFT BEER AND WINE MAP



editorial BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT What a difference we can make together Liane Thibodeau DIRECTORS his fall, the New Brunswick Select example, the devil is in the details. We John Bird Committee on Climate Change agree. Deborah Carr released its report and it quite Our own climate solutions guru, Dr. Louise Jean-Eudes Chiasson Tappropriately captured the advice, Comeau said the Select Committee’s Stephanie Coburn experience and willingness of citizens, report could set the stage for a sustainable businesses and conservation groups like Patrick Colford ours to reduce carbon pollution and work New Brunswick. The committee made John Crompton together to seize opportunities in creating 85 recommendations that are in line with what the Conservation Council has been Susan Eddy new jobs as our economy makes the proposing — including a phase out of coal Jim Emberger transition away from fossil fuels. in electricity production by 2030, and a I’ve reviewed many reports like this Hannah Grant one over my 30 plus years working for provincial greenhouse gas reduction target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and by Frank Johnston environmental protection and economic 80 percent below 2001 levels by 2050. David MacDonald sustainability, but this one is a recent The report was presented to the Tyler McCready favourite. Why? It truly reflects what elected legislature just a few weeks short of the Teri McMackin officials heard from citizens. Over 150 one year anniversary of the Paris accord/ people spoke at public hearings across the Rob Moir province and another 40 people took the agreement. Now, it’s up to the government Owen Taylor time to send in thoughtful, well-researched to act – and, you can count on the Conservation Council to ensure we get a Paula Tippett written comments. good action plan early next year. Jessica Vihvelin It seized not only on economic This Special Christmas 2016 edition Nikole Watson opportunities, but also in nature’s strength. of Eco-Alert marks an amazing year of STAFF Whether we were talking about wetlands, progress, where local has become the new coastal estuaries, riverbanks or forested global, and action is hip. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR land, the Committee got the message – nature is our best strength. Invest in it, Lois Corbett invest in us and our future. LOIS CORBETT is the Executive Director of the PROGRAM STAFF It heard from major New Brunswick Conservation Council of Matt Abbott, Fundy Baykeeper business groups who spoke in favour New Brunswick of acting to prevent climate change and Scott Babin, BuyLocal NB reducing carbon pollution. Most of them Zachary Bourque, Forest Conservation said with respect to carbon pricing for Anne Carruzzo, Translator Dr. Louise Comeau, Climate Change and Energy Solutions Sign up to become a Olivia DeYoung, Marine Conservation Tracy Glynn, Forest Conservation member of your local Nadine Ives, Learning Outside environmental group Brittany MacLean, Tula Farm Newcomer Garden today! Karyn MacPherson, Learning Outside C0MMUNICATIONS TEAM Corey Robichaud Emily McPhee ADMINISTRATION Stephanie Phillips INTERNS Jennica Leet Kelsey Maber Brittany Polchies Annual memberships are only $30/year. We need your support to amplify our voice for the environment and healthy communities. GRAPHIC DESIGN Stacy Howroyd, [email protected] To join and recieve your free subscription to Ecoalert, please contact us at: EcoAlert Magazine is printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks. Learn more about FSC’s strict [email protected] environmental and social standards at ca.fsc.org. or telephone us at 458-8747 If you prefer to only receive EcoAlert in our convenient www.conservationcouncil.ca digital edition (available for free anytime on our website and accessible on all your devices), please email us at /conservationcouncil @cc_nb @conservationcouncilnb [email protected]. 3 ecoalert WINTER 2016

New Brunswick’s Food and Beverages Sector Gets a Boost Download the report at: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/ departments/10/buy-nb-initiative.html LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGES STRATEGY INCREASING AWARENESS, AVAILABILITY, AND SUPPORT FOR THE NEW BRUNSWICK FOOD AND BEVERAGE SECTOR 2016-2018 – By Emily McPhee ew Brunswick released its Local are improved consumer awareness, Food and Beverage Strategy improved availability of local food and on Oct. 19 at Ferme Michaud, beverages, and improved support Na fourth generation farm for new or expanding local food and that produces vegetables, berries and beverage businesses. Those objectives grain in Bouctouche. Hon. Rick Doucet, are very similar to those announced by Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Ontario Premier’s Kathleen Wynne in that Fisheries, announced the strategy that province’s local food strategy, which aims aims to support local food and beverage to: production at home. • increase consumer awareness and New Brunswick households spend about education; $2.6 billion each year on food. “If even The Conservation Council, a collaborator • improve access to local food; and, half of that food were produced here at in the development of the strategy along • ensure that there is sufficient supply to home, imagine what that could do for our with the National Farmers Union in New meet demand. provincial economy,” said Doucet. “In New Brunswick and the Agricultural Alliance of Brunswick, we are fortunate to live in a part New Brunswick, sees the benefits of the 16- The NB plan also includes: of the world that offers great opportunities page action plan. 1. Working to increase healthy, local food to feed ourselves — imagine the impact in school cafeterias by at least 30% and on our GDP if even a quarter of it was “By increasing our consumption of local determining how much funding will be produced right here at home.” food, from turnips to tomatoes, from required to support healthy and local food fiddleheads to apple jelly, we can grow New Brunswick’s agriculture sector fundraising in schools; sustains the equivalent of 13,000 full-time healthier communities, reduce pollution 2. Creating a promotion strategy for and cut back on waste — all good things jobs in the province. The local food and when you are thinking about how to tourists to New Brunswick, including beverages strategy is a way to increase this build a sustainable New Brunswick,” said culinary tourism events; number. The strategy outlines changes to Lois Corbett, the Conservation Council’s the province’s supply-management system, executive director. 3. Helping the Conservation Council and aiming for 100 per cent self-sufficiency in the National Farmers Union of NB update the production of local milk, eggs, chicken National Farmers Union NB Board member, their list of local products and develop a and turkey, for example. Rébeka Frazer-Chiasson said the test of the farmers’ market map of NB; new strategy will be whether or not it’s all The strategy provides improved support 4. Supporting the Agricultural Alliance of for new producers and those who are show — with a Buy Local logo and t-shirts, NB to facilitate farm visits for the public or a concrete action plan that re-designs our expanding production, and sets out a public food system. and employing an education coordinator to awareness plan to ensure consumers develop age-appropriate information about understand the health, environmental and “(We) recognize the potential that exists agriculture; economic benefits of buying local. now that New Brunswickers have a single 5. Creating a brand image to make unifying logo in their hands. If we use it with “This new strategy will boost awareness local food and beverages more easily and consumption of locally-made food and pride, and if it can become associated with recognizable in establishments across the rigorous high standards, then it will help us beverages,” said Doucet. “Our producers on the path to food sovereignty,” she said. province; and, make some of the best food in the world, Frazer-Chiasson is co-owner of La Ferme 6. Releasing a beginner’s reference guide right here in our backyards. We need to Terre Partagée in Rogersville. for farming in New Brunswick to assist make sure New Brunswickers know where those who are interested in a career in to get it.” The objectives of the NB strategy farming to access services and information. 4 ecoalert WINTER 2016

Food from a Changing Bay: Climate Change and Our Coastal Waters – By Matthew Abbott, Fundy Baykeeper don’t know about you, but I like seafood, used for overwintering, suggesting that especially fresh seafood from close to the copepods themselves are not getting home. Living by the sea and having friends enough to eat. So, while right whales may Iand colleagues in the fishery, I have on be finding copepods to eat, these copepods occasion had the joy of eating raw scallops might not be as nutritious as they should be. fresh from the Bay, mackerel smoked by It’s like thinking you are about to tuck into a a friend, homemade calamari from squid nice, calorie-rich, local steak only to find you caught off the wharf, or a sampling of various are actually eating a cleverly disguised rice seaweeds (kelp lasagna anyone?). I’ve also cake. had occasion to harvest periwinkles or The story of right whales and copepods clams myself for a feed. The delicious food shows the degree of change and it provides for me, my family and the many complexity the Bay is facing. Vibrant coastal animals I love to spot is one of the many ecosystems like the Bay of Fundy have reasons I am so enamored with the Bay of sustained coastal communities for at least Fundy. I know that the Bay has changed, I 13,000 years. I believe they can continue to know that my friends a little older than myself for generations to come. The Bay of Fundy used to catch and eat different species than Dr. Andrew Westgate and Dr. Heather has already changed and it will continue to they do now. I also know that big changes are Koopman decanting zooplankton from the change. The nature of this change will be ahead for the Bay of Fundy, especially due to driven by human-caused climate change. climate change. cod end of a plankton net. (Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station) To illustrate just how complex things are getting in coastal regions like the Bay of they have not been behaving the way Fundy, we need look no further than the we have come to expect. Usually in late critically endangered North Atlantic right summer and fall in the Bay of Fundy right whales and the small animals, copepods, they whales are seen engaging in social activity, feed on. the most dramatic of which being large Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station While right whale numbers have increased social groupings called Surface Active in the last decade, their recovery is far from Groups where dozens of whales might certain and they face real threats going gather. In 2016, very little social activity has forward. For a few years it seemed that right been observed which suggests that they are whales were not visiting the Bay of Fundy like not getting the energy they need to develop they have historically, and the decline and thick blubber layers and were spending all near absence of big numbers of copepods in their time feeding rather than taking time for We can, though, help the Bay withstand the Bay of Fundy since 2012 is certainly part their courtship and other social behaviours. these changes so it can continue to provide of the reason why. Copepods, however, have Laurie Murison from the Grand Manan food for the many creatures that call the Bay rebounded in the Bay of Fundy in 2016 and Whale & Seabird Research Station has home, including us humans. If we reduce right whales returned to the Bay in impressive looked at copepod samples from 2016 stresses we can control locally, like noise numbers. At first glance this may appear to and while more lab work is needed, a and oil spill risk from tankers, sewage and be unmitigated good news, but in complex visual inspection gives some hints to what storm water from our communities, and environments like the Bay of Fundy, and in an is going on. When they first arrived in the pesticides from aquaculture, we can give era of climate change, there is often more to Bay of Fundy in 2016 copepods looked the Bay of Fundy and coastal ecosystems the story. well fed. While copepods have remained like it their best shot at adapting to this changing environment. What’s in it for us? While right whales have been seen quite abundant throughout the summer, Fresh, local seafood for one. frequently during summer and fall of 2016, by fall they had lost much of the stored oil 5 ecoalert WINTER 2016

Interview with Hon. Rick Doucet, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries “We’re on the cusp of a local food movement, and the possibilities are endless.” Q: Growing up, what was your favourite To improve support for new or expanding place to visit in the outdoors? food and beverage enterprises. This will entail a mentorship program for new I lived in Clarkson, Ont. Growing up, a producers, the attraction and retention of good friend of mine, who has since passed new farmers and marketing support for away, and I used to ride our bikes to the those who are trying to get their products Go Train station. My father’s job gave him out to New Brunswickers. access to Toronto Maple Leafs tickets, so we would ride the Go Train into Toronto, I’m most excited about the possibilities this and then get on the subway to Maple Leaf strategy presents. The strategy itself is just Gardens. Then, after the game, we’d get the beginning; we’re on the cusp of a local back on subway, ride the Go Train back to food movement and the possibilities are Clarkson and bike home in the dark. We endless. often didn’t get in until 11:30 or midnight! How times have changed; can you imagine Q: In preparing the strategy, did you in this day and age letting two boys ages come across success stories in other 8 to 10 ride public transit in a major city, jurisdictions that you thought might work attend a major sporting event unsupervised here at home? and bike home in the dark? I’m glad I grew up in a time when I was able to have those We were inspired by what Ontario did experiences. It instilled in me a lifelong love with its local food strategy and with the of cycling, and of the Toronto Maple Leafs. province’s best practices document for municipalities. We were also impressed by Q: What are your favourite activities Vermont’s “Farm to Plate” program. The long-term strategy outlined by Yukon was in rural NB and scenic coastal areas? also quite exciting. How does that affect your outlook and practice, as a Cabinet Minister? Q: You recently released the provincial Q: Tell us something that might surprise One of my favourite things to do is visit local food and beverages strategy. What our members to learn about you. the New River Beach hiking trail, one of is its overall goal, (or target, or hope ) southwestern New Brunswick’s best-kept and what pleases you the most about it? Before entering politics, I operated a secrets. I’ll take my SPCA rescue dog The three goals of the Local Food and number of different businesses, including and my two grand-dogs (named Bud and Beverage Strategy are: an advertising agency. Through my ad Weiser by my son) and hike for an hour and agency I was able to publish my own coffee a half, in all four seasons. It’s very relaxing To increase consumer awareness of table book on the sustainable herring and gives me a good viewpoint of how the delicious and nutritious foods and industry. I took the photos and wrote the lucky we are in New Brunswick to have beverages that are grown and produced copy myself, and published it through these beautiful trails right on our doorsteps. right in our backyards. the agency. My first press run was 2,500 It grounds me and helps me put things in To increase access and availability copies; they all sold, so I printed a further perspective. of local foods and beverages to all 3,000, and they all sold. Now, the only place you can find a copy of that book is on When life starts moving too fast, I also like New Brunswickers. We’ll do that by Amazon. It’s nice to have been able to leave to visit the Fundy Nursing Home. I lost my procuring more local food for government a mark on New Brunswick and the industry mom there, and it’s a place that reminds me institutions and by working collaboratively with this book. that we’re only here for a short time and we with other departments (Education and have a limited window of time to live our Early Childhood Development, Social – Interview by Emily McPhee lives. The seniors there have a message Development, Health and NB Liquor) to for all of us – Enjoy life; enjoy the ride that develop policies that will touch all New you’re on, because it’s over all too soon. Brunswickers. 6 ecoalert WINTER 2016

Policy Talk parties about carbon pricing, fielding numerous requests for interviews about the content and recommendations of the NB Legislature’s Select Committee on Climate Change, and participating in webinars organized by the NB Environmental Network. She also finished phase one of our research on citizens’ experience with post tropical storm Arthur, and is currently hosting focus groups to hear NB residents’ concerns about climate change, and experience with renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Louise is part of a national team of climate experts and organizers regularly contacted by federal departments. Louise also spoke to the NBEN’s Sustainability Education Alliance “We look forward to seeing a new forest strategy that will about climate change education for students and citizens. protect our deer and wildlife, creates a range of jobs in the woods, and works for the benefit of all New Brunswickers „ Executive Director Lois Corbett presented to the expert panel on reform to the who work and play in our forest.” – Lois Corbett Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, appointed by Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, „ The Conservation Council’s executive the risks posed by oil spills, increased the Hon. Catherine McKenna, when it director Lois Corbett, with Roberta tanker traffic, and current and future held public hearings in Fredericton. As Clowater, executive director of the climate changes to the Bay of Fundy. They preparation for those two days of session, NB Chapter of Canadian Parks and stressed the importance of protecting the Conservation Council co-hosted, Wilderness Society, met NB’s Minister the Bay of Fundy so it can continue to with West Coast Environmental Law, an of Energy and Resource Development sustain livelihoods connected to fishing information session on what is needed to Rick Doucet to discuss protected areas; and tourism. Matt modernize environmental the fiscal, environmental and health and Lois, with assessment in Canada. effects of continued use of herbicides support from Corbett also provided on Crown forest land, and the urgent Olivia DeYoung, advice as an appointed need for modern legislation to protect have also worked member of the federal the province’s Crown forest. We have diligently over the government’s Canada’s yet to see any progress on the Premier’s past few months Sustainable Development commitment to revise the Crown Forest as part of a broad Advisory Council. She Management Strategy, a promise made national coalition also responded to the in the Dec. 2015 Throne Speech. In of scientists and Matt Abbott, provincial government’s response to the Throne Speech, Corbett activists urging the Fundy Baykeeper release of public said: “We look forward to seeing a new federal government comments on guiding forest strategy that will protect our deer to restore important principles for the and wildlife, creates a range of jobs in habitat protection elements of the federal development of a comprehensive water the woods, and works for the benefit Fisheries Act. Matt also attended and protection strategy and was appointed of all New Brunswickers who work and conducted media interviews about the to the Minister’s technical working group, play in our forest.” federal Department of Fisheries and a body of advisors that will work on the Oceans’ open house in St. Andrews about content of the strategy. „ The Conservation Council supported marine protected areas. the organizing of the Old Forest You can learn more about these policy Conservation Science Conference „ Our Climate Change and Energy Solutions issues and read the Conservation Council’s held in Debert, Nova Scotia in October. project manager Dr. Louise Comeau Frank Johnston, a board member, and worked hard all fall writing background advice by checking out our website at: Zachary Bourque, a forest program briefs for the media and interested conservationcouncil.ca. intern, attended the conference. They look forward to working with the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute on old growth forest conservation. Teri McMackin, a newly elected board member, attended the From the Fields and Forest Conference in October. The conference was an important networking opportunity for those making a living from products and services from our agriculture and forestry sectors. „ Our Fundy Baykeeper and Marine Program Director Matt Abbott, accompanied by Lois Corbett, testified in front of the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications on 7 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Savoie’s Brewhouse Shiretown Brewing A Change is Brewing! Distillerie Fils du Roy By Corey Robichaud Brasseaux d’la Côte Petit-Sault Brewers Reinventing our Beerocracy Even casual drinkers will notice New Brunswick liquor stores are changing Joe Gallant, director of the New Brunswick – suddenly we’re discovering new and Grape Growers Association, says the project’s unique New Brunswick beverages where been so successful that they went ahead there were but a handful before. Over of schedule and increased the number of the past decade, dozens of local craft grocery stores that can sell wine. breweries have popped up around the “They started with six grocery stores in province and joined New Brunswick’s the province and it worked so well that they passionate community of cottage expanded to 18, including Superstore, Sobeys, vineyards, fruit orchards and grape and one Atlantic Co-op in Perth Andover,” growers in a push to bring local back to Gallant said. our liquor stores. “Now we’re all over the province and get 50 Following on the heels of provinces like per cent of the shelf. It’s given us a very big Richibucto River Nova Scotia and British Columbia, New boost to our sales! At this rate, we’re going to Railcar Brewing Company Wine Estate Brunswick’s alcohol industry is finally be at a point that our supply won’t be able to coming out of the dark-ages and into its meet the demand – hopefully that’s not for a own Buy Local renaissance. Will time- few more years.” tested kings like Moosehead, Alpine, and Jacob’s Creek go out of business? makers was that the industry was being Gallant says, it’s all part of the larger strategy Probably not. But they’re no longer alone, pushed forward, not by competition, but for showing New Brunswickers that they don’t no longer unchallenged. by a culture of collaboration. need to look much farther than the town next River Valley Micro Magnetic Hill Flying Boats Brewery door to find a growing number of quality local Winery In only five years, breweries across Canada “A lot of them will go in on orders products they can be proud of. Mountaincrest have more than doubled in number and together if they are ordering hops or grain Big Axe Brewery Vineyard worth, according to the 2015 industry report from out of province,” said Vietinghoff. “I worked for Pepsi-Cola for 21 years. We Beckwith Road La Cave â Vin released by Beer Canada. Since 2009, the It’s because brewers understand that it used to talk about growing the market instead Brewing Company Boudreau number of breweries in Canada has risen doesn’t just benefit them when beer is of growing our brand. If we had 60 per cent of Scow Cider Verger Belliveau Orchard from 310 to 644. being made, Vietinghoff explained. They the market and we grew the market, then our Off Grid Ales Bogtrotter Motts Landing Bagtown Brewery sales would increase as well.” In fact, while heavy-hitting provinces like understand that if they can grow the Brewing Co. Vineyard British Columbia have a head start, Atlantic industry then they can help everyone. If recent trends tell us anything, the strategy Think Brewing Appleman Farms F Fundy Bay Brewcoundy Bay Brewco provinces like New Brunswick and Nova “There are all sorts of industries that of collaboration is working and we can look Gillis of Belleisle Belleisle Moncton Breweries Gillis of Scotia have tripled the size of their craft grow around the province’s growing craft forward to a long line of new and exciting beer industries in only five years. New beer scene – small town rural businesses local beverages. Or, better yet – maybe I’ll Acadie-Broue Brunswick had only a handful of licensed that grow hops, tourism because join the community and try my hand at making Dunhams Run Holy Whale Brewing Co A.W.O.L. Brewing breweries five years ago; now we have over people are coming here to try the beer my own brew. I hear they are welcoming new Estate Winery Bore City Brewing 35 and counting. at restaurants, hotels and craft beer members. Fundy Foghorn Celtic Knot Brewing The industry’s sudden growth spurt was festivals.” Skully Von Beardos Brewing Company Pump House Bottling Plant Tide and Boar Gastropub Miniscule Micro so astounding that local filmmakers and In fact, successful the minds behind The Manatee, the only collaboration between small satirical news site covering New Brunswick, business owners isn’t limited to Saint John Breweries Alex Vietinghoff and Shauna Chase decided the beer shelf. to make a documentary about it. Beerocracy A successful NB Liquor pilot First City Brewing Co. was released at this year’s Silverwave Film project that allows wine to Grimross Brewing Festival in Fredericton. Fredericton Breweries Loyalist City be sold in a small number of Brewing Company “We were surprised to find that most of grocery stores around the Graystone Brewing Company them don’t see each other as competition province would never have Grimross Brewing but are working together to increase the been possible without the Half Cut Brewing quality of craft beer in New Brunswick as collaboration of government, Picaroons Brewtique a whole to get people to start buying local store owners and wine makers. Red Rover Craft Cider craft beer,” added Vietinghoff. Wine sales increased by 6.5 Trailway Brewing Company per cent during the first year York County Cider The Local Strategy: Quality, of the program, raising an additional $5.1 million for the Community and Collaboration province in 2015. What Vietinghoff and Chase discovered during their eight months filming local beer 8 ecoalert WINTER 2016

Savoie’s Brewhouse Shiretown Brewing Petit-Sault Brewers, Edmundston Taste beer made with fresh water drawn from New Brunswick’s Iroquois River with the Petit-Sault Brewers, the first brewery to open in Northern New Brunswick. The Distillerie Fils du Roy Petit-Sault Brewers opened two years ago in Edmundston with a series of beers named in honour of New Brunswick’s strange Brasseaux d’la Côte historical characters, like Bob LeBoeuf, Petit-Sault Brewers a local prospector considered a legend in Edmundston, and the famous Acadian pioneer, Tante Blanche. With many fresh flavours, they describe their beer as a happy NEW BRUNSWICK: union between Belgium and Madawaska JUST A County that you won’t want to miss. TASTE Off Grid Ales, Harvey After years of living in a solar-powered home on Harvey Lake, local sprout growers Randy and Denise Rowe decided to take craft beer to the next level. They started New Brunswick’s first off-grid brewery. Now expected to open this fall, the Off-Grid Ales brewery, built in Richibucto River Railcar Brewing Company Wine Estate a humble barn on the couple’s property is sporting 18 new solar panels, a wind turbine, and can produce an average of 12 to 15 kilowatts of green energy per day. Look forward to Off Grid Ales products if you are looking for an easy way to cut your carbon footprint! River Valley Micro Magnetic Hill Flying Boats Brewery Winery Mountaincrest Vineyard Big Axe Brewery Beckwith Road La Cave â Vin Brewing Company Boudreau Scow Cider Verger Belliveau Orchard Off Grid Ales Bogtrotter Motts Landing Bagtown Brewery Vineyard Brewing Co. Appleman Farms Think Brewing Fundy Bay Brewcoundy Bay Brewco F Gillis of Belleisle Belleisle Moncton Breweries Gillis of Acadie-Broue Holy Whale Brewing Co A.W.O.L. Brewing Dunhams Run Bore City Brewing Estate Winery Celtic Knot Brewing Fundy Foghorn Pump House Bottling Plant Skully Von Beardos Brewing Company Miniscule Micro Tide and Boar Gastropub Saint John Breweries First City Brewing Co. Grimross Brewing Verger Belliveau Orchard, Memramcook Fredericton Breweries Loyalist City Brewing Company With the help of his wife and kids, Robert Bourgeois, Graystone Brewing Company one of the original five founding members of the Really Grimross Brewing Local Harvest Co-op, is keeping the family tradition Half Cut Brewing alive. He watches over the same trees that his great Picaroons Brewtique uncle planted nearly 100 years ago. Now, the Verger Red Rover Craft Cider Belliveau Orchard is well-known throughout Atlantic Trailway Brewing Company Canada for their locally-grown apples, seasonal u-picks York County Cider and locally produced specialty apple products like apple ciders, wines, and of course apple juice. Not excited yet? Coming next spring, the Verger Belliveau Orchard will offer two varieties of local certified organic apples grown on-site in their newly constructed organic orchard. 9 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Make your holiday special with spicy fiddleheads and organic cranberries By Scott Babin & Karyn MacPherson What does it mean to buy local in New Whether it’s natural skin care products Brunswick? Is it purchasing dulse harvested made with forest ingredients from the from the shores of Grand Manan? Is it going Wolastoq woods by SoulFlower Herbals, to one of the 40-some markets around the beautiful pottery by New Brunswick artist province? Perhaps it’s sipping equitably- Megan Billings, mid-century modern home sourced, locally-roasted coffee from your furnishings from St. John’s Elwood’s Wood favourite hand-turned mug. Buying locally Lab or internationally-recognized spirits is not restricted to any one thing, but from Fils du Roy Distillery in Pacquetville, instead is a combination of all things New New Brunswick’s many locally-made Brunswick. From community-supported offerings may come as a surprise to some. agriculture programs and community Here, we profile producers of two New gardens to increased integration of food Brunswick favourites, fiddleheads and security principles in school curriculums, cranberries, who are sure to make your the importance of buying locally produced dining tables special and joyful this holiday goods is a conversation that more and more season. people are having on a daily basis. Scotty’s Hotties: Springbrook Cranberry: How you make a New Brunswick delicacy into a spicy treat Pesticide-Free and Pollinator-Friendly very spring in New Brunswick, you can find fiddlehead enthusiasts he Nason family in Tracy, New What is special about Springbrook roving the banks of the Saint John Brunswick, have been bringing Cranberry is that they are an organic ERiver in search one of their favorite cranberries to our tables since operation. They used to grow cranberries traditional delicacies. Like them, Scott T1999. Their operation, Springbrook conventionally, making use of sprays McAllister was just another fern-fan until he Cranberry Inc., includes approximately to mitigate weed and pest populations. decided to take his hobby to the next level 13.6 acres of certified organic cranberries. However, the impacts of chemical use on and start his own local business – Scotty’s During peak harvest season, they employ their cranberry fields became a growing Hotties spicy pickled fiddleheads! approximately 20 people. Their organic concern for both Larry Nason and his berries and juices are available at retailers daughter, Rebekah. They began their The idea of pickling fiddleheads with around the Atlantic region as well as the transition to organic in 2005, and received banana peppers and garlic sprouted one Boyce Farmers Market in Fredericton. certification three years later in 2008. day when McAllister was harvesting the New Brunswick delicacy on an island off Relying on pelletized chicken the coast of Quebec. He ran into a man manure that is certified for camping on the island who offered him some organic growers, as well camp-fire caribou meat and a jar of pickled as hand weeding and an fiddleheads. He enjoyed them so much he increased tolerance for asked for the recipe and started sharing weeds in the field, the them with friends and family, not knowing father and daugher team are extremely happy with their popularity would lead him to a new their decision to go organic. business. While they do admit it can “I would give a jar to someone and the next be challenging at times, they year they wanted a case, it has been a very say the devotion required is well exciting journey,” said McAllister. worth it to be able to provide their Today, McAllister is known as New community with healthy products. Brunswick’s fiddlehead guru and that same Over the years as their fields develop recipe shared to him years ago is now sold and align more with the region’s natural in over 85 stores around the province – ecological cycles, they have observed and it’s only his second year in business. increases in natural predators as Scotty’s Hotties now has a handful of loyal well as good numbers of native local employees at their production site in pollinators. Although they do Kingsclear, N.B. where they can produce need to bring in some hives 8,000 jars of pickled fiddleheads each from Thomas Apiary in Upper season. Kingsclear, native bees are also You can find Scotty’s Hotties products at doing a good job of pollinating independent grocers, co-ops, convenience some plants. “I think the bugs are stores and farmers markets. happy, and so are we,” remarked Larry. “It’s encouraging to see the community get behind local New Brunswick companies,” Learn more about Springbrook’s said McAllister. operations and products on their website: Follow Scotty’s Hotties on Facebook to get updates on www.springbrookcranberry.ca. the company’s products and distribution. 10 ecoalert WINTER 2016

Banking for the Community: OMISTA Credit Union Achieves B Corp Status By Emily McPhee anking and the environment – two There are three steps to becoming a B challenging us to maintain this standard things that at first, have seemingly Corp. Achieving certification starts with an but to keep doing more and doing better.” no connection. Thanks to B Corp official impact assessment, one that measures Leaver says since becoming B Corp Bcertification, they do now. the overall impact of your company on its certified, there is still work to be done stakeholders - who are actual people and OMISTA Credit Union, with locations in to best serve the community – a Moncton and Fredericton, have recently businesses in the province it serves. At the happy problem. Just this November, end of this assessment, your company gets a received B Corp certification - the first credit score, leading to the next step. This second an employee from Omista attended union in New Brunswick to be certified. a Youth Sustainability Leadership step involves meeting legal requirements; Training workshop in Moncton. The B Corporations are for-profit companies What needs to change? Have all key board certified by the non-profit organization members, legal counsel and investors been event encourages youth from ages 19- 30 to attend and seize opportunities to B Lab, based out of Pennsylvania, US. briefed regarding the usefulness of becoming strengthen their communities. Funding, Through B Lab, a company is B Corp a B Corp? connections, mentorship and general certified only after meeting rigorous support are all offered for those interested. standards of social and environmental The third and final step in achieving B performance, accountability and Corp status involves making it official. Once “It’s very exciting for us and for her. One transparency. It’s essentially a way for all steps have been taken to assess an of the great things about that program is business to be used as a force for social organization’s B Corp eligibility, the signing of it helps people find a way to channel their and environmental stewardship. the ‘B Corp Declaration of Interdependence’ interest in social environmental initiatives is all that’s left. while also giving them great resources and “A B Corp certified organization looks For Leaver, achieving B Corp status at at how your people are treated, how OMISTA was an obvious choice - a credit access to other individuals to help bring their projects to life,” says Leaver. “We customers are treated, and how you union is, after all, designed to keep profits know our employees really believe in all improve the quality of life of people living in and business in the community it serves. things that fall into being a B Corp.” the community,” says Trisha Leaver, Senior Marketing Manager at OMISTA in Moncton. “Credit unions in general were built on the Since the rating process for OMISTA as a “Sustainability is about all three things principles of community, democracy and B Corp is done by a third party, it keeps to combined - you can’t really have the other cooperation,” says Leaver. “These things the core of what B Corps are all about. two without ensuring you’re a successful have guided us - but really helped us align “The assessment process itself is quite business as well, because you’re also being with the idea of becoming a B Corp. It keeps detailed and a thorough process. It really profitable at the same time.” makes you look with a critical eye at every aspect of your business in ways you may not have previously - including from an environmental perspective,” says Leaver. “It’s a constant validation process and you are compared to other B Corps - so it really lets you see where you stand and see the areas you have the ability to take great Choose LOCAL with Real strides in the future.” OMISTA’s next certification assessment Food Connections. Feel happens in February of 2018 and Leaver is good when you choose local excited for the road there. and organic food options. Keep up to date on OMISTA’s work as a B Corp and upcoming events on Twitter at OMISTACU or through their Facebook www.realfoodconnections.ca • 454-5931 • 880 Hanwell Rd, Fredericton page titled, OMISTA Credit Union. 11 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Climate Change Report Lays Out Framework for a Sustainable New Brunswick, Says Comeau – By Corey Robichaud he NB Select Committee on Climate Change released its report a few weeks ago, and the Conservation TCouncil’s Director of Climate Change and Energy Solutions, Dr. Louise Comeau, said it could very well “lay the foundation for long-term sustainability and stable jobs.” “It is a testament to the value of making our voices heard. Members of the eight- 48 Years of Transmission member, all-party committee listened to New Brunswickers. Now we wait to hear how & Distribution Grid closely the Government’s Climate Action Plan will follow recommendations made by the Experience Committee,” stated Comeau. “This issue is real – everyday we see climate change, the effects of climate “The New Brunswick Climate change and we have to plan for the future,” Change Report could lay the said Carleton-Victoria MLA Andrew Harvey, foundation for Grid Tied Systems who also served as the Chairperson of the long-term sustainability and committee. Off Grid New Brunswick Green Party Leader David stable jobs.” Coon, who sat on the committee, said the – Dr. Louise Comeau process members undertook, as well as Home Energy Assessments recent signals from Prime Minister Justin announced that Canadian government Trudeau, shows a transition on how climate operations will be completely powered by Gas Tankless Hot Water change is viewed in the province, and in the renewable energy by 2025 as part of a country. national effort to reduce carbon pollution Comeau said that the Committee’s 85 in accord with the historic Paris Climate Heat Pumps recommendations closely align with those Change Agreement. made by the Conservation Council in its While that doesn’t mean we’ll be seeing Engineering Services climate action plan released in July. solar-powered Coast Guard vessels just “Our climate action plan proposal included yet, it does mean that we can expect all calling on Government to phase coal out of government and military buildings to be Consulting electricity production by 2030 and to move 100% renewable in less than ten years. toward a zero-emitting system by expanding “It’s all about leadership. We can’t Design its commitment to renewable energy. The just be telling provinces and territories, Select Committee calls for fossil fuel-free municipalities and Canadians that we electricity system by 2030 and an increase all must do our part. We have to lead by Sales in the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 60% example,” McKenna said in an interview from 40%. We called for a carbon pricing with CBC Calgary after making the Installation regime where revenue would be used to announcement at the Canadian Wind Energy finance investments in deep retrofits of Association. buildings, including social housing, and to create incentives to transform transportation “By using renewable energy, we send so it relies more on clean electricity. The a strong signal to markets that Canada Select Committee recommends the creation is serious about reducing emissions, and Contact Mark Today of a Climate Fund to do just that,” she said. supporting a clean-growth economy,” said McKenna.” Canadian companies that There also has been good news on supply green goods and services will see the federal front. Early this November, new opportunities to do business with Environment Minister Catherine McKenna governments, driving growth in this industry.” [email protected] Find the New Brunswick Select Committee +1.506 461 5221 on Climate Change report here: www.gnb.ca/legis/Climate-Climatiques/ SelectCommitteeClimateChange.pdf www.mjmsolar.com Financing Available 12 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Researchers and Groups to Tackle Blue-Green Algae in NB Lakes – By Stephanie Merrill hile a number of New Brunswick computer models that can help define lakes have had persistent blue- specific conditions for algae-prone lakes. green algae challenges, last The Department of Environment and Local Wsummer we saw a spike in the Government (DELG) will continue its annual number of lakes added to the Department sampling of lake water chemistry, temperature, of Health advisory list, including outbreaks and dissolved oxygen profiling. in well-populated lake watersheds, relatively “We don’t yet know all of the mechanisms undisturbed lakes, and surface water supplies leading to harmful algae blooms in our lake providing drinking water. ecosystems but we do know that dynamic Since 2010, the Canadian Rivers Institute physical elements such as wave action, (CRI) has been investigating the growing heating, precipitation, sedimentation and even issue of cyanobacterial outbreaks in NB future climate change projections can also lakes. This increasing concern has prompted contribute to blooms in low nutrient lakes, such Blue-green algae is actually a the CRI to define a three-pronged approach as we have in New Brunswick,” he says. bacteria (cyanobacteria) that can to tackling this growing problem in the Together the CRI, DELG and lake groups province. In a partnership with community- will deliver presentations for lake users and grow in large quantities when exposed based lake associations and the Department develop and test a “rapid phosphorous to the right mix of conditions such as of Environment, the CRI will undertake local response” kit that will help community groups warming temperature, low water levels water quality monitoring, continue its scientific set up citizen-science programs to increase or an input of nutrients. Blooms range program to understand conditions specific the local engagement and the capacity to to NB algal blooms, and help deliver an monitor local algae outbreaks. in colour from dark green to yellowish educational program for local lake users. brown and can produce toxins which “We are at the beginning of our challenge “Generally, input of nutrients, particularly to understand cyanobacterial blooms in NB can be cause for health concern phosphorous, into lakes is causing blue- lakes and this research will start to produce particularly where lakes are used for green algae blooms. However, the range of the long-term data and targeted studies swimming and drinking. lake types in NB appear to be responding that are needed to pin-point the landscape differently to our changing climate, says Dr. characteristics and the impacts a changing Allen Curry, a CRI science director at the climate has on our waters. From there In recent years the lakes on the NB University of New Brunswick, and the lead for we will be able to develop more effective Department of Health blue-green the NB lakes blue-green algae study. algae advisory list has included: management strategies for dealing with this As part of this next phase of work, CRI public health concern,” says Curry. Wheaton Lake, Washademoak Lake, will continue sampling and characterizing An advisory does not necessarily indicate a Grand Lake, Harvey Lake, Chamcook the plankton communities (the very small toxic water situation but allows the public to Lake, Lake Utopia, Lac Baker, Lac organisms drifting or floating in the water become more aware to look for the formation Unique, Irishtown Nature Park, column) in the affected NB lakes and build of highly visible blooms and scum, which pose Mapleton Reservoir, Camp Lake and the most risk. Bathurst Lake. 13 www.conservationcouncil.ca

Behind the Scenes at Conserver House By Jennica Leet, Kelsey Maber and Brittany Polchies Fun with Milkweed The Conservation Council’s Learning Outside project coordinator, Nadine Ives, and Communications Officer, Emily McPhee, met with a group of milkweed aficionados to gather seed pods and learn about milkweed’s 5 Days for significance to monarch butterflies. the Forest Monarch butterflies are vulnerable due to habitat destruction and climate change. Participants got to fill their MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY September 19 | 6 PM September 21 | 6 PM September 22 | 7:30 PM bags with milkweed seed pods and Old Hemlock A Visual Forest Feast Forest Gala with Forest Walk with Milda’s Pizza! Gypsophilia discover some other native species With Jim Goltz Photo-storytelling of Location: The Playhouse, Location: Odell Park, meet Nicaragua’s rainforest and tickets $40 at The Playhouse at the Odell Lodge NB’s Acadian forest with Nick 9:30 PM | Tumba Sound that grow along the St. John River, Hawkins & film screening of TUESDAY Kokota: Islet of Hope about Location: The Capital, 362 September 20 | 6 PM Tanzania’s reforestation efforts. Queen Street, $8 at the door such as the river bank grape! The OMISTA’s Location: Forestry & Geology FRIDAY Local Chews & Brews Building, Room 2013, UNB September 23 | 6:00 PM workshop concluded back at the Free local hors d’ouevres, cash 7:30 PM | TREEvia Night Film screening of bar with local brews & ciders Location: The Grad House, A Beautiful Forest with poetry by Marilyn Lerch 676 Windsor St. Location: Conserver House, Conserver House where participants Location: Crowne Plaza 180 St. John St. got to learn more about monarchs, Contact: 458-8747 or [email protected] how to get the seeds from the pods, how to get them ready for spring planting and to enjoy some local apple cider! National Forest Week took place this year from Sept. 18-24. The Conservation Council organized a Support the Conservation Council week of exciting events that included talks, music, food, poetry and nature. These events included: an Old this Holiday Season Hemlock Forest Walk in Odell Park with Dr. Jim Goltz; OMISTA’s Local Chews & Brews with poetry by Marilyn Warm a Baby, Not the Planet. Lerch at the Crowne Plaza; a Visual Forest Feast with Nick Hawkins and a This holiday season give the gift of warmth and film screening by Community Forests prosperity. With your donation of $100 or more International followed by TREEvia to the Conservation Council in honour of a new Night at the Grad House; the Forest child or grandchild, they will receive a wool Gala with award-winning jazz band hat hand-knit by the Knifty Knitters. Your little Gypsophila at The Playhouse and angel will be cozy in their tuque made from Tumba Sound at The Capital. The the best quality yarn from local vendor Briggs week concluded with a film screening & Little, and they will look oh-so adorable. of A Beautiful Forest at the Conserver Keep their heads warm and their futures bright House. by donating today, and hats off to you for your support! The Great Tree Challenge 100-Mile Dinner The Conservation Council and Atlantic Executive Director Lois Corbett was the Forestry Review are collecting pictures keynote speaker at CCNB’s Southeast Chapter’s and stories of your favourite trees. It has 100-mile dinner fundraiser in Riverview on been 30 years since the book, The Great Oct. 23. Over a buttery bowl of fresh squash Trees of New Brunswick, was published soup, guests took in a presentation of the - and we think it is time for another that Conservation Council’s work so far. A succulent captures more of our great trees. Whether pork roast dinner followed, along with the your favourite tree is old, huge or part of announcement of Jim Emberger, as the winner a special story, we would love for you to of the Environmental Journalism Award in share it with us. Send us a picture, the memory of Beth McLaughlin. Beth was one of location of the tree and any interesting the Southeast Chapter’s founders and a long- memories you have about your great tree. time board member of the Conservation Council. Send your submissions to Tracy at A mouthwatering apple crumble wrapped up a [email protected]. For more lovely evening filled with new and familiar faces information, call Tracy at 506 458-8747. including several local farmers, co-ops and businesses. 14 ecoalert WINTER 2016