Examples of CIP-Funded Projects

The purpose of the Community Interaction Program (CIP) is to fund projects that help conserve and improve the St. Lawrence ecosystem. Here are a few examples:

Awareness Projects

Problem encountered: survival difficulties for shorebird eggs

Solution proposed to the CIP: project to raise awareness among ATV users regarding the importance of not driving on beaches during bird nesting periods. Measuring of the survival rate in the nest at the end of the project and a survey with target clients to measure the project’s impact and behavioural changes.

Study Projects

Problem encountered: survival difficulties for a population of turtles threatened by habitat degradation and loss.

Solution proposed to the CIP: study project aimed at characterizing a site in order to make recommendations in terms of conservation or restoration based on the source of the problem.

Study-Action Projects

Problem encountered: shoreline erosion and habitat destruction due to increased access to a site with fragile areas.

Solution proposed to the CIP: study-action project aimed at documenting the problem and possible solutions together with the various users, and implementing the solutions by restricting access and restoring the gaps with plants.

Biodiversity Restoration or Protection Projects

Problem encountered: degradation in water quality in a main or secondary tributary of the St. Lawrence.

Solution proposed to the CIP: project for the restoration of riparian wetlands and the expansion of the riparian strip beyond the regulated zone in order to reduce sediment load, fertilizers or pesticides.

(Read the Riparian Revegetation Project Planning and Submission Guide, available formats: PDF, HTML, and the Guide des bonnes pratiques, chapitre 7, Protection des rives, du littoral et des plaines inondables, available formats - in French only: PDF, HTML)

Read about a project carried out by the Gulf North Shore ZIP Committee
Restoration and enhancement of the mouth of the Brochu River Photo: © Gulf North Shore ZIP Committee

Problem encountered: loss of wetlands.

Solution proposed to CIP: wetlands restoration project through the implementation of thresholds for reducing the impact of drainage and for maintaining an appropriate water level for the target species (herpetofauna, fish and birds).

Problem encountered: loss of nesting habitats for bird populations.

Solution proposed to the CIP: restoration project through the installation of nesting boxes in disturbed habitats.