FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JULY 29TH, 2021
FREDERICTON, NB

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick (Nature Trust) is celebrating the conservation of over 10,000 acres of land in New Brunswick, a milestone achievement in the charitable land trust’s 34-year history. Established in 1987 by a small group of dedicated volunteers who saw the need for conservation in our province becoming increasingly apparent, the Nature Trust is committed to identifying, promoting, protecting and maintaining the province’s finest remaining ecological landscapes. Currently, they are responsible for conserving and stewarding a network of 69 beautiful and diverse nature preserves throughout the province.

“This exciting milestone for the Nature Trust would not be possible without the support of countless supporters, partners, and funders who are part of our story,” says Renata Woodward, CEO of the Nature Trust. “Together, we are working to protect our province’s most treasured natural spaces, old growth forests, and picturesque coastlines and shorelines for future generations to enjoy and for endangered species to find refuge”.

In one of their most significant conservation projects to date, the Nature Trust raised $1,400,000 earlier this year to protect 920 acres (372 hectares) on Ross Island at Grand Manan. The newly protected Keiko and Errol Nature Preserve on Ross Island hosts a diversity of wildlife on its rocky shores and coastal forest and is an Ecologically Significant Area in the beautiful Bay of Fundy. The MapleCross Fund contributed a pivotal gift to secure this critical island, bringing the Nature Trust to over 10,000 acres of conserved land with the addition of the new nature preserve. 

“We are thrilled to support the protection of the unique and significant biodiversity of Ross Island. We hope that other individuals and communities will join us in partnership with the Nature Trust of New Brunswick towards retaining the environmental integrity of The Bay of Fundy, as well as other ecologically important areas of New Brunswick.” - Drs. Isobel Ralston and Jan Oudenes, founders of the MapleCross Fund.

 In the past year, the Nature Trust has protected over 1300 acres of ecologically significant land throughout the province. These newly protected areas include the Maugerville Forested Wetland property in Maugerville and Keiko and Errol Nature Preserve on Ross Island at Grand Manan. The protection of the new properties was made possible by the MapleCross Fund, Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change – Canada Nature Fund (NAWMP), Canada Nature Fund – Challenge Fund, Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, Island Nature Trust, Nova Scotia Nature Trust, Gosling Foundation, Echo Foundation, Zita and Mark Bernstein Family Foundation, Lothar Von Ziegesar Foundation, New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Davis Conservation Foundation, William P. Wharton Trust, conservation-minded land donors, and hundreds of individual donors.

The conservation of these new nature preserves was the result of the second year of the Conserve Y(our) NB: Protect the Places You Love campaign, a 10-year conservation campaign created by the Nature Trust of New Brunswick to increase the amount of land the organization protects to 15,000 acres by 2030. To learn more about the campaign, individuals may contact the Nature Trust at naturetrust@ntnb.org or by calling (506) 457-2398.

The Nature Trust continues to grow the network of stewards and volunteers throughout the province, continues engagement through landowner outreach programs, and leads skill-building events through the Passport to Nature and Ambassador Program. Protecting and stewarding these diverse landscapes ensures that wildlife and humans alike will be able to enjoy New Brunswick’s treasured natural places for generations to come.

“Here at the Nature Trust, we envision a New Brunswick where biodiversity is protected, flora and fauna thrive, and future generations can explore and enjoy natural spaces, forever” says Peta Fussell, President of the Nature Trust. “We are very grateful to the supporters, partners, and funders who have helped us reach this significant milestone. We are excited to continue working together to achieve our next big goal of conserving 15,000 acres by 2030. As we celebrate this milestone, we hope that New Brunswickers will feel inspired to connect with us to learn more about how they can be part of the next chapter of our story.” 

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ABOUT THE NATURE TRUST OF NEW BRUNSWICK:

Established in 1987, the Nature Trust of New Brunswick is a charitable land conservation organization dedicated to preserving the province’s ecologically significant landscapes. To date, the Nature Trust has conserved over 10,000 acres in 69 beautiful and diverse nature preserves in New Brunswick. Our mission is to conserve areas in New Brunswick that are ecologically significant, to establish nature preserves that remain protected forever, to steward the preserves through a network of volunteers and supporters, and to engage with the public on the importance of land conservation, New Brunswick’s natural heritage, biodiversity, and species at risk.  

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelsey Hogan
Acting Communications Coordinator
Nature Trust of New Brunswick
T: (506) 457-2398
kelsey.hogan@ntnb.org