Overview
The Arthur Kyle Nature Preserve is a 2.83 hectare (6.99 acre) island located in Hartland, within the Wolastoq/Saint John River. The preserve is situated in an alluvial floodplain and predominantly sand habitat which is submerged for part of the year. The island maintains about 0.5 hectares of year-round vegetation, mostly low-lying cover species.
This preserve is home to an important Species at Risk in New Brunswick that the Nature Trust is honoured to protect.
History
The Arthur Kyle Nature Preserve is named for the father of Dr. Joseph Kyle. In the early 1990s, Dr. Kyle was approached by noted botanist and Nature Trust founder, Hal Hinds, regarding the conservation of this habitat. Thanks to the generous donation of Dr. Kyle, the Nature Trust was able to protect the land in 2003.
This preserve is located within traditional Wabanaki territory. The Nature Trust is proud to protect this important piece of New Brunswick’s natural heritage for future generations.
Ecology
The island is a gravel bar, submerged during the spring freshet, with a wooded and shrub-covered area at the southern end. Due to the alluvial geology of the Arthur Kyle Nature Preserve, the forested area is quite sparse and occupies less than 30% of the island. Tree species are limited to balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), and ash (Fraxinus spp.). The island has suffered tree loss due to severe flooding in 2018 and 2019.
The Arthur Kyle Nature Preserve hosts ground vegetation that seems to thrive in harsh conditions including St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), meadow anemone (Anemonastrum canadense), blue flag iris (Iris versicolor), and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). The island is used by waterfowl and migratory bird species during the spring and fall as stopover sites.
Access and Activities
Located in Hartland, you can view this island preserve and its fauna and flora from the shore or by boat on the beautiful Wolastoq/Saint John River. Permitted activities on the preserve include low-impact ones like wildlife viewing and kayaking/canoeing. A convenient place to view the island is from the Trans Canada Trail in the park located off Route 105 at Mill Street in Hartland.
*The property is undeveloped and there are a variety of hazards and risks associated with accessing this preserve. While this nature preserve is open for public access, visitors must assume responsibility for their own actions and safety and are to use the land at their own risk.