Funding delay threatening plover

Maritime groups trying to protect the endangered piping plover are worried that federal money for their work on the bird's behalfwill come too late.

The groups applied to Environment Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program six months ago, but have not yet received formal word that it has been approved.

"Plovers are in the process of laying out nests and having chicks now, and they need the protection now," Roland Chaisson of Nature New Brunswick told CBC News last week.

"When the money comes late, it's actually too late to do the protection."

Fencing and signs are up on Maritime beaches warning people to stay away from piping plover nests. The birds nest in shallow depressions in the sand. The eggs are well camouflaged from predators, but are easily destroyed accidentally by people walking on the beach. With only about 500 plovers in the Maritimes, the survival of every chick is crucial.

Chaisson said his group is dipping into a several-thousand-dollar surplus from previous years, but that money is disappearing fast.

"We're going to be running into the negative, and if we do, we're going to have to close down shop," he said.

Hired on spec

On P.E.I., the Island Nature Trust's took a risk and hired two paid staff to co-ordinate volunteers working on 23 beaches. Executive director Jackie Waddell figured the $48,000 from Environment Canada would come through, but she's still waiting.

"Not even formal approval. We have nothing in writing saying we're even going to get the money, let alone when it's going to come," said Waddell.

Environment Canada declined to do an interview, but in an e-mail said it's informed these groups that they will be getting their funding soon.