A Nelson Consulting Firm is using funding from the Waneta Expansion project to preserve the homes of a species of special concern.

 

The program provides up to $50,000 annually to projects in the Waneta area that promote conservation and restoration and is currently accepting applications.

 

Seepanee Ecological Consulting is using the money to look at nest sites of the common Nitehawk.  Biologist Doris Hausleitner says the bird was listed by the federal government because it's an insectivore.

 

She says pesticides have caused a decrease in insect populations and that's likely also caused a decline in Nitehawks as well.

 

The consulting firm is doing the research in the Fort Shepherd area.