Overview

The réserve naturelle Grande-Digue Nature Preserve spans 368.9 acres (149.3 ha) and is located near the community of Grande-Digue, within 10 kilometres of Shediac. The preserve contains part of a community trail system for activities such as hiking and cross-country skiing. 

History

The original preserve property was sold to the Nature Trust in 2023 by the Bourgeois and Aucoin families and covered 57.21 hectares (141.37 acres). That property burnt down in the 1940s and now consists of primarily early successional forests. Two expansions completed in 2024 increased the total area of the preserve to 368.9 acres (149.3 ha). The area has a network of walking/snowshoeing/skiing trails that have been managed by community organizations Ski Beaver and Sentier Pluriel de Grande-Digue, who continue to steward the property in partnership with the Nature Trust. This preserve is in traditional Mi’kma’ki territory. 

Ecology

The forest here is typical of an aging early successional forest, likely due to the fire of the 1940s, and as time has passed it is progressing through the successional stages. The more intolerant species are phasing out, as red maple (Acer rubrum) and tamarack (Larix laricina) become more prominent, showing trends of self-restoration. Black spruce (Picea mariana), aspen (Populus sp.) and birch (Betula sp.) are also present.

Ground vegetation is abundant throughout most of the property. Some species of interest include: pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys), pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule) and red oak saplings (Quercus rubra).

Bird species such as Eastern wood-pewee (Contopus virens) and Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) are known to frequent this site. 

Access and Activities

From Grande-Digue: Head north on Route 530 from Grande-Digue (Grande Digue Road). The property is on the left, immediately after 25 Chemin Grande-Digue and before 63 Chemin Grande-Digue.

Please contact the Nature Trust office at (506) 457-2398 or steward@ntnb.org for more information about visitation.

*While this nature preserve is open for public access, there can be a variety of hazards and risks associated with using this preserve and visitors should use the land at their own risk and must assume responsibility for their own actions.