Background

Sable Island is a unique part of Canada. It is the only exposed place on the outer continental shelf, and thus the Island is of outstanding ecological and geological importance. Even though there is still much to be discovered about the Island’s biodiversity, the high number of endemic organisms already identified there is an indication of its uniqueness and importance. Furthermore the profile of Sable Island, in the mind of the Canadian public, is enhanced because it is adjacent to the new Marine Protected Area of the Sable Island Gully, but at the same time is situated in a region of offshore energy exploration, development, and production (Lucas 2004).

Although research and monitoring have been underway almost continuously since the 1960s, there is still a wide range of scientific programs that should be conducted on Sable Island. These include biological and geological research, biodiversity surveys, and environmental monitoring, some of which are among the specific recommendations in the Conservation Strategy for the island (Beson 1998). In addition, programs relevant to the Island’s heritage and cultural values have a high social relevance. At the present time, the cost of transportation and operations on the island, although not unreasonable, present a significant hurdle for most individuals and organizations capable of providing the expertise to undertake the necessary research and monitoring on Sable Island. It is our view that the establishment of a Sable Island Research Fund is by far the best way to ensure that the needed activities on the island are accomplished and that limited financial resources are used effectively and fairly.

Environment Canada presently provides $64,000/year to the Sable Island Preservation Trust, which was established with the assistance of Environment Canada in 1998. The Trust is supported by Environment Canada as part of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP). However, although “ACAP recognizes that local organizations are the most effective champions to achieve sustainability in their communities” (Environment Canada 2006), the Trust is not “local” and it is not a community-based organization. The Trust was designated as an ACAP organization in 2000, with hopes that it would be able to raise part of the funding needed to maintain the Sable Island Station and to support research and monitoring programs. The Trust was unable to meet these challenges, and in April 2005, the federal government reassumed direct management and funding of the Station.

However, the Sable Island Preservation Trust continues to receive financial support from Environment Canada (through ACAP) of about $64,000 annually. The very few programs supported by the Trust are largely funded by Environment Canada through its Science Linkages program. Thus, the Sable Island Preservation Trust both receives financial support directly from Environment Canada, and receives funds indirectly from the same source, for much of its activities. Clearly, if the primary aim is to see that research is accomplished to benefit Sable Island, this is not an efficient or equitable use of funds. In our view, the Sable Island Preservation Trust should, like other NGOs, be responsible for its own funding and programs. Having been in existence for over ten years and fully supported by Environment Canada during this time, the Trust should now be in a position to commence operating like a “non-governmental organization” and not receive base funding from Environment Canada.

It is possible that, should Environment Canada terminate its direct financial support for Sable Island Preservation Trust, those funds would not necessarily be redirected to another use for Sable Island, such as the proposed Sable Island Research Fund. However, since Environment Canada established the ACAP, this government department must have some capacity for management and responsibility for the effective dispersal of public funds to ensure that credible and useful research on Sable Island is accomplished.

Proposal for a Sable Island Research Fund Research Fund

We propose that Environment Canada establish and help administer a Sable Island Research Fund that would directly support research and conservation on the Island. This would be funded by redirecting the resources currently given to the Sable Island Preservation Trust.

Once a Sable Island Research Fund is established, other government departments and non-government stakeholders (e.g. the business community) should be approached to contribute financially to the fund, thus broadening the base and enhancing the scope of research and programs on the island.

These funds would be made available to individuals, NGOs, and university researchers, with or without government partnership (as appropriate). Review and recommendations regarding allocation of the Fund would be provided by the Sable Island Stakeholders Advisory Committee which is in its fourth year of operation and represents the Sable Island community. The membership on this committee includes a broad range of parties interested in, and having programs on, Sable Island. Indeed, some members have decades of experience. The Committee meets three times a year, and reviews and discusses issues between meetings via email. We suggest that the projects seeking support from the Sable Island Research Fund could be approved twice yearly by the whole Committee, after being received and reviewed by a subcommittee formed of representatives from the whole Committee. A small amount of administrative support would be needed from Environment Canada to disburse funds to approved projects.

Available funding would be allocated annually to one or several projects to be conducted by individuals and/or organizations. The review committee responsible for the recommending allocation of funds would make decisions based upon research required to fulfill the mandate of the conservation and protection of Sable Island and its biota, as well as enhancing education and heritage values. All projects sponsored would have direct application to the welfare and management needs of the island. Members of the awards committee would have to be knowledgeable and fluent in the application of science to attain conservation goals. It is expected that outside experts would also be consulted. No member of the review committee would apply for or receive funding from the Sable Island Research Fund.

Annual funding would be available for projects and commitments made for one to three field seasons. A few examples of the range of activities that could be supported include:

research programs (e.g. effects of horse grazing on terrain and vegetation; biology and ecology of grey seals, horses, Ipswich Sparrows, and nesting seabird populations).

biodiversity surveys (e.g. species distribution and community composition of terrestrial and pond invertebrates, vascular plants, fungi and mosses; critical habitat assessment and mapping).

environmental monitoring (e.g. changes in freshwater pond distribution and water levels; censuses of breeding bird species; periodic aerial photography).

cultural and heritage programs (e.g. visiting artists; historical research).

The advantages of the proposed Sable Island Research Fund are:

The Fund would be managed by the Sable Island Stakeholders Advisory Committee which brings a wide range of expertise and experience to the assessment of research proposals and programs.

The funds made available by Environment Canada would be effectively used with only a nominal drain to overhead. An administrative office and staff would not be needed and thus all funds would be available to support Sable Island research programs.

Such an established Fund would encourage, and provide a credible framework for, contributions of funding by other government and non-governmental entities.

Some programs could be conducted over several years under this proposal. Proponents could apply for multi-year funding and, having assurances on the availability of funds, would be able to plan for programs requiring seasonal work over two or three years (e.g. graduate studies).

The funds would be administered in a process that would provide for stakeholders (including the public) transparency and the opportunity for input regarding wise and effective use of government funds.

Presently a single NGO, the Sable Island Preservation Trust, directly and indirectly receives funding by Environment Canada. These funds are, in our view, not effectively used. The proposed establishment of a Sable Island Research Fund administered by the Sable Island Stakeholders Advisory Committee would result in broader participation and more credible research being accomplished on Sable Island.

A Sable Island Research Fund would provide fair, cost-effective and competent support for research, monitoring, and educational programs on Sable Island that would benefit all Canadians.

References

Beson, K. 1998. A Conservation Strategy for Sable Island. Prepared for the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada Atlantic Region, March 1998, 50 pages.

Environment Canada. 2006. Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP).

http://atlantic-web1.ns.ec.gc.ca/community/acap/default.asp?lang=En&n=085FF7FC-1

Lucas, Z. 2004. A Special Place and Risk Assessment – Conservation Committee

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