The Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Winter River–Tracadie Bay watershed, which serves as a crucial water source for the Charlottetown area in Prince Edward Island. Registered under the business number 846302669RR0001, the association operates with the purpose of maintaining and improving the health, water quality, and aesthetic qualities of this watershed.

Mission and Activities

The association aims to safeguard the watershed through a combination of educational outreach, collaboration with local farmers and landowners, and advocacy for water conservation practices. Its activities include hands-on environmental enhancement projects such as planting trees and shrubs to provide wildlife habitat, clearing and restoring stream channels, building brush mats to improve aquatic habitats, and conducting shoreline and roadside cleanups to remove garbage and reduce pollution.

Community Involvement

The Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association is supported by a diverse community of participants, including paid staff—many of whom are students or recent graduates—who perform much of the fieldwork during the active months from May to September. A volunteer board of directors governs the organization, ensuring alignment with its conservation goals. Additionally, numerous volunteers and supporters contribute to various projects and participate in events throughout the year, fostering strong local engagement in watershed stewardship.

Environmental Impact

Significant accomplishments of the association include:

• Removal of blockages from approximately 8.5 kilometers of stream to restore fish passage.
• Repair and replacement of culverts allowing fish access to an additional 1.5 kilometers of stream.
• Planting of around 3,000 trees and shrubs to enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
• Collection and proper disposal of about 2 tons of garbage from shorelines.
• Construction and maintenance of numerous brush mats and piles that improve stream flow and temperature regulation, benefiting young fish populations.
• Forest management activities such as patch cuts and alder management to increase forest diversity and habitat quality.

Educational efforts have included student field trips focused on tree planting and shoreline cleanup, enhancing community awareness and involvement in watershed conservation.

Affiliations and Recognition

The Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association is recognized for its active role within the broader network of environmental stewardship groups on Prince Edward Island and contributes to island-wide efforts coordinated through alliances such as the PEI Watershed Alliance.

Through its multi-faceted approach combining education, restoration, and community collaboration, the Winter River-Tracadie Bay Watershed Association continues to play a vital role in protecting a key ecological and water resource for the region.