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Complying with the Migratory Birds Convention Act

October 3, 2019

More than 450 native bird species make use of Canada’s natural and human-modified landscapes for part of their annual lifecycle. Most of these bird species, their nests and eggs are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MCBA, 1994). Federal legislation requires road infrastructure maintenance, creation and renewal to adhere to the MBCA to protect birds, nests and eggs.

This webinar provided an overview of three new TAC publications that address the legislation, migratory bird biology, and operational guidance to reduce the risk of contravening the MBCA during vegetation removal, and during culvert and bridge work:

  • Beneficial Practices for Compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Regulations (2019)
  • Operational Guidance for Migratory Birds and Vegetation Management for Existing Transportation Facilities and Infrastructure (2019)
  • Operational Guidance for Migratory Bird Nests under Bridges and in Culverts (2019)

Presenter

Matthew Wheeler, McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd.

Matthew Wheeler is an Ecologist and Project Manager with McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers. He has over 10 years of experience providing environmental services to complete biological inventories, environmental monitoring, mine reclamation, Species at Risk (SAR) surveys, ecological restoration and road ecology projects. He is well versed in the content and application of environmental legislation. He enjoys providing cost-effective solutions that restore ecological capital and achieve legislative compliance.

Chris Heffernan, McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd.

Chris Heffernan is a Senior Biologist with McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers. He has over 16 years of experience providing environmental services to provincial and federal agencies including transportation organizations and as part of private development. He has worked on a wide range of projects which have involved terrestrial and aquatic biological inventories, wetland evaluation, environmental monitoring during and post construction, habitat modeling and mapping, mine and aggregate extraction, habitat restoration and enhancement, Species at Risk (SAR) surveys and management and preparation of guidance and policy documents related to these fields. He is well versed in the content and application of environmental legislation and as well as impact assessment. His primary areas of expertise relates to the biology and ecology of birds, fish and fish habitat, reptiles as well as wetland and terrestrial vegetation community form and function.

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