“Learn them. Love them. Protect them.”
These are the words the late Hal Hinds, one of New Brunswick’s most influential and celebrated botanists, inscribed in the Nature Trust of New Brunswick’s copy of his groundbreaking guidebook, Flora of New Brunswick. Over the years, generations of conservationists have thumbed through Hal’s book—the first comprehensive manual for identifying plant life in the province—and taken his words to heart.
Today, we hope that you will, too.
As part of the Conserve Y(our) NB campaign, we have an amazing opportunity to protect a stunning 48-hectare (119 acre) Appalachian Hardwood Forest that borders the Hal Hinds Forest Protected Natural Area (PNA) in Hovey Hill (Wolastoqey Traditional Territory).
Help us secure this important property
While every new hectare counts when it comes to protecting nature, adding this beautiful hardwood forest to our list of nature preserves would be especially meaningful. Hal Hinds was a founder of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. The legacy he left is evident in the words he scrawled in flourished, blue-ink cursive in our copy of his guide.
Hal’s passion for conservation inspired countless people to take up his cause for nature appreciation and protection. In addition to the PNA named in his honour, where a plaque denotes his contributions to naturalism, Hal was honoured with a trail in Fredericton’s O’Dell Park and a memorial garden in the Fredericton Botanical Garden, which he also helped found.
His book, at five-inches thick and 695-pages deep, was crucial for understanding and preserving New Brunswick biodiversity. It allowed for the serious study of vascular plants in New Brunswick, and it helped spark a wave of concern and action against the threats which then, and now, challenged the rich diversity of life found in the Appalachian Hardwood Forest.
“In recent years, we have seen more and more of New Brunswick’s natural areas destroyed. Many of the sites have been so changed as to be no longer supportive of their former variety of plants and animals,” Hal wrote in the late 80s. “The Nature Trust of New Brunswick has been formed to identify, classify, protect and preserve for posterity natural areas and landscapes in the province deemed to be outstanding.”
Hal knew the importance of protecting the natural heritage of New Brunswick. Almost 40 years later, we are still fighting the same fight. And today, you can help ensure his legacy carries on and his vision is achieved.
We stand to lose something incredibly special if we don’t act now.
The Appalachian Hardwood Forest, once covering 500,000 acres in New Brunswick, is now one of the most threatened forest types in our province.
Less than 1% remain standing.
These lush forests are not just home to incredibly beautiful and rare plants such as yellow lady’s slipper, maidenhair fern, and Canada violet—they are wildlife sanctuaries for black bears, fishers, pileated woodpeckers, forest songbirds and barred owls.
Walking through the Hovey Hill property, it’s clear how important it is that we protect this land.
Not only does the understory sustain an abundance of wild comfrey, lopseed, and black raspberry, there is great potential for sugar maples, basswood, and endangered butternut to reestablish in the areas of open field where they most likely persisted in the past.
Decades later, Hal’s words still ring true. If we don’t act, we risk losing even more of this unique and diverse habitat and the wildlife that call the Appalachian Hardwoods home.
You can make a difference
We are so grateful to have already raised $181,500 of the $231,500 needed to secure this property that is not only ecologically significant, but, given its location next to the Hal Hinds Forest, is also so close to our hearts as Nature Trust supporters, volunteers, and staff. Will you help us raise the remaining $50,000?
When you choose to support the Conserve Y(our) NB campaign and give a gift to protect the Hovey Hill property, you are not only conserving a significant Appalachian Hardwood Forest site, you are also supporting the responsible stewardship of this natural area for years to come. Imagine that you are the reason the Hovey Hill Appalachian Hardwoods are safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.
Together, we can heed Hal’s words and learn about the wondrous plants and animals this forest supports, love their beauty and contributions, and protect them, forever.
Donate today using the form below
Get in touch
Whether enjoying a visit to one of our preserves, a chat over coffee, or simply a phone call, we’re delighted to connect with you, answer any questions you have, or learn about your love for nature in New Brunswick. Please feel free to contact the Nature Trust CEO Stephanie Merrill or Engagement Manager Sabarah Pilon anytime.