12.1. The Habitat Manager

DFO staff are responsible for delivering excellence in service to Canadians to ensure the sustainable development and safe use of Canadian waters. To ensure healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems, habitat managers in Nova Scotia:

- Provide advice on proposals which could impact fish or fish habitat

- Protect fish habitat from being altered or destroyed

- Rehabilitate habitats that have been degraded in some way

- Create new habitat

- Enhance existing habitat - work with other regulatory authorities to prevent the deposit of deleterious substances into waters frequented by fish

All of these responsibilities involve a strong scientific background as a basis for practical activity. For example, habitat managers must be knowledgeable about:

- Fish population dynamics and natural history

- The physical, chemical, and biological nature of water environments

- The sensitivity of fish and their supporting habitats to natural and man-made changes

- Methods for predicting the effects of habitat changes

As you can see, a habitat manager is a key resource for your Adopt-A-Stream program.

For the name and contact information for a habitat manager in your area who can help you contact;

NSSA / Adopt-A-Stream Program

R.R. 2 581 Stanburne Road Barss Corner

NS B0R 1A0

Tel: (902) 644-1276 Fax: (902) 644-1279

e-mail: amy.weston@ns.sympatico.ca