NAACAP

conservation group

360 Topsail Road, St. John's

preserving our coasts and waterways

Our beautiful rugged coastlines and extensive river systems are among Newfoundland’s greatest natural treasures, and Northeast Avalon ACAP (NAACAP) exists to conserve and protect them. NAACAP is an acronym for Northeast Avalon Atlantic Coastal Action Program and got its start as the St. John’s Harbor ACAP in 1993, focused on sewage treatment. after much work, the situation improved and they expanded their focus to include the entire Northeast Avalon and changed their name to Northeast Avalon ACAP.

NAACAP has two main projects underway now: Water Quality Monitoring of Regional Rivers and Neighbourhood Streams. the Water Quality Monitoring of Regional Rivers project, now in its third year, has 61 sites monitored by NAACAP, and an additional 17 through their community partners, including the Fluvarium, Manuels River Experience, and Kelligrews Ecological Enhancement Program. many of the monitoring sites had no or limited amounts of water quality data prior to this project. the goal is to collect water quality data for the establishment of baseline conditions and for tracking changes over time.

The other project is Neighbourhood Streams, and it focuses on storm drain health. the aim is to raise awareness about what should (water) and shouldn’t (pretty much everything else) go in storm drains. NAACAP has had a Conservation Corps Green Team working on this project. they plant native plants around storm drains, clean up garbage, and also paint yellow fish on storm drains, as part of Trout Unlimited Canada’s Yellow Fish Road initiative to remind people that what goes into the drain ultimately makes its way to local ponds, lakes, and rivers.

Northeast Avalon ACAP likes to stay involved with the community, as education plays an essential role in what they do. you may spot them at community and environmental fairs and events, spreading their message and their vision of sustainable healthy waterways on the Northeast Avalon. they also host workshops to provide information and increase conversation around various watershed components. as well, the public is encouraged to assist them with cleanups around rivers. you can support them through the Adopt a Tree program, where for only $5, they will plant and care for a tree.