NEW BRUNSWICK’S COASTAL LANDS ARE A PART OF OUR PROVINCE’S NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE.
Not only are they ecologically important, but they form part of a working landscape, where fishing, aquaculture, and tourism play key economic roles. Between the many towns and villages along the Fundy shore or the Northumberland Strait remain stretches of undeveloped coastline – cliffs, rocky shores, mud flats and salt marshes, beaches and dunes with vibrant ecosystems.
Our coastal shorelines are part of rich marine environments and support globally-significant shorebird and seabird habitat. Grindstone Island in Shepody Bay for example, is home to populations of Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, and Common Eiders.
New Brunswick’s shorelines also support some of the highest biological diversity in the province, from rare lichens, iconic raptors like the Bald eagle and Peregrine falcon, to species of seals, porpoises, and whales. Since the majority of the species living in coastal habitat cannot live inland, the protection of their habitat is critical.
Our spectacular shorelines are under increasing pressure from development. Understandably, people want to build along the shoreline to enjoy its scenic beauty, however, development can damage sensitive shoreline habitat, disrupt local ecosystems, restrict public access, and spoil scenic views.
The Nature Trust is working with private landowners who wish to help conserve coastline and preserve quiet wilderness places along our coasts. Some of our unique protected areas are found in the L’Etang Islands archipelago, the Western Isles, New River Island, preserves on Grand Manan, Chocolate Cove on Deer Island, South Wolf Island, Navy Island in St. Andrews, and Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve in Bocabec.
SINCE 1987, THE NATURE TRUST HAS PROTECTED NEARLY 500 ACRES OF LAND ON 16 COASTAL ISLANDS ALONE.
Today the Nature Trust continues its work to preserve undeveloped coastal shoreline and islands. A sincere thanks to the many land donors, individual supporters, and funders who have generously contributed to the Nature Trust’s coastal conservation work in the past 30 years as without their support, these achievements would not be possible.
If you are interested in conserving New Brunswick coastline or to learn more about our ongoing work on the coast, please contact our Conservation Manager, Carli le Roux, below or by calling (506) 457-2398.