Sharing Our Downtown With the Sackville River

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Did you know Sackville’s busy business district is actually located inside the Sackville River Watershed? When we think of our downtown, we may think of the ever-growing number of businesses, but running right through the middle is the Sackville River. For more than 30 years, Sackville Rivers Association (SRA) has led the preservation, restoration, and management of the Sackville Watershed. We spoke to two members of the SRA to hear how they got started and what’s important for Sackville residents to know.

“The people on the trail have taken ownership."

David Waugh, board member and trails committee chair (photographed above), retired from Environment Canada in 2013 where he worked on air quality prediction. It was Waugh’s commute to work that introduced him to Sackville fan favourite, SRA President Walter Regan (they met on a Metro Transit bus!). Waugh mentioned his interest in trails stemming from his childhood on the farm, and Regan had him hooked from then on. “Walter is a good mentor,” Waugh says. “His knowledge and connections are vast.”

Now Waugh helps to patrol, maintain, and secure funds for the trails in the district. He has lots of incredible events such as tree planting, clean ups, duck races, and more planned for this summer. He encourages community members to check out SRA on social media or at sackvillerivers.ns.ca to stay up to date. Waugh shares his fondness of this community saying, “The people on the trail have taken ownership. People are picking up the garbage and looking after the trail. The whole area is being cared for.”

Damon Conrad, coordinator (photographed above), is the only staff member of SRA and has been involved since 2006. He is an environmental engineer and a jack of all trades around the office and in the river. He helps to be the eyes and ears in the fi eld for regulators who are monitoring polluters. Over the summer months, Conrad leads a river restoration crew of local university students who also work on silt patrol, water quality, electrofishing, and much more. This summer, the team will work in Peverill’s Brook or Little Sandy Lake Brook to install hand built rock sills, digger logs, rock deflectors; clear any jams; and establish pools to improve the quality of the habitat.

“Nature is out there, and we are not devoid of it here in the city.”

Conrad says, “Nature is out there, and we are not devoid of it here in the city.” SRA works to show people “we can have a healthy river running through our dense commercial and urban area!”

To continue the incredible work this watershed association is known for, SRA applies for governmental funding and accepts donations through events, membership, and generous gifts from community members. The funds raised go toward completing river restoration, promoting recreational use, delivering educational programs, and encouraging community stewardship. The more people SRA can bring to the river, the more people they hope will help protect it!