Overview:
The George M. Stirrett Nature Preserve consists of 2.4 hectares (5.8 acres) of species at risk habitat along the Saint John River near the village of Tilleyalong the Dorsey Road, just south of the confluence with the Wolastoq (Saint John) River) and Little River.
We acknowledge that the George M. Stirrett Nature Preserve is within the unceded traditional territory of the Wabanaki Peoples .
History:
The Nature Conservancy of Canada purchased this site from Cecil Baker in 1989. The site was then transferred to the Nature Trust of New Brunswick in 1992.
The George M. Stirrett Nature Preserve was established for the protection of Furbish’s Lousewort (Pedicularis furbishiae), a species at risk in New Brunswick. It is one of the smallest preserves owned by the Nature Trust.
The Nature Trust is proud to protect this important piece of New Brunswick’s natural spaces for future generations, in perpetuity.
Ecology:
The George M. Stirrett Nature Preserve contains Furbish’s lousewort (pedicularis furbishiae). It grows at the foot of steep forested banks above the lower riverbank. The soil is frequently disturbed by ice action and flooding, which has resulted in large annual changes in the number of plants in the preserve depending on the extent of ice scouring.
This preserve is also home to a variety of uncommon plants. This includes the variegated horsetail (Equisetum variegatum), false asphodel (Triantha glutinosa), one-flowered cancer root (Orobanche uniflora) bird's-eye primrose (Primula farinosa), Saint John River Tansy (Tanacetum bipinnatum subsp huronense var. johannense), Kalm's lobelia (Lobelia kalmia) and the northern painted cup (Castilleja septentrionalis). This assemblage of plants is very rare in New Brunswick, as only a few miles of original river shore remain above the Mactaquac Dam headpond.
Access and Activities:
Due to the sensitivity of the species at risk found on this land, the preserve is private and cannot be accessed without the written permission or consent from the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.
Contact Bethany Young for more information about visitation.