In the Streams, Living the Dream
I have been admiring ACAP for years now; their work inspired me to pursue the Environmental Technology program at NBCC Miramichi. As a summer student at ACAP, I felt as though I was on an adventure rather than working. At the beginning of my placement, I spent most of my time conducting stream assessments within the main stems of Henderson Brook and Spruce Lake, as well as the entire Mill Creek watershed. Heavy bug and bushwhacking led us to seldom visited areas that were inexplicably beautiful. We found many treasures including multiple waterfalls, fascinating bedrock, a cave, a swing beside a beaver dam, and two Barred owls in the same tree!
The purpose of the assessments was to locate any blockages that may interfere with fish migration. We were able to breech one of the largest blockages that we came across; it was some of the hardest labour I have ever done but nothing was more enjoyable or satisfying than removing the jam and watching the water flow.
I was also able to assist with numerous shoreline assessments as part of a project that aims to monitor coastal erosion of vulnerable areas in Saint John. Through measuring and observing erosion, vegetation, soil type, as well as foreshore and backshore type, we were able to determine the stability of the area’s shoreline. This will allow ACAP to build awareness of this very real problem so that we can be more prepared as a community as we plan for prevention and adaptation. We learned a lot during our assessments of the shorelines in areas such as Red Head, Anthony’s Cove, and Bayshore Beach; some of the most valuable information was shared with us by residents experiencing erosion firsthand.
Maggie Brogan, Field Technician, determining slope of erosion at Bayshore Beach.
It was a privilege to be part of ACAP and to work with such a knowledgeable team who are so willing to share their experience and expertise. The more I have learned, the more aware I have become of the interconnectedness of everything around me. They say that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life; I have very much found this to be true. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing the projects and reports come to life, and the exciting work that is in store for the ACAP team.