Overview
The Leo Currie Nature Preserve is a 2.5 hectare (6.18 acre) alluvial island in the Wolastoq river in the Keswick Islands group. The Currie property represents a unique Saint John River island habitat with flora that is able to withstand annual ice scours and subsequent flooding, which provides for many unique species and ecosystems.
History
The Leo Currie Nature Preserve was donated to the Nature Trust in 2022 by Christopher Currie. We acknowledge that the island is within traditional Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) territory.
Ecology
There is no forest cover on the island, only scattered occurrences of stunted red maple (Acer rubrum), one large sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and a willow (Salicaeae sp.) on the island. The island is dominated by grasses and ferns such as bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis), bedstraws (Galium sp.), and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea). Alder (Alnus incana) and common milkweed (Asclepias syrica) are scattered throughout, as are horsetails (Equisetaceae) and several species of ferns.
White tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), river otters (Lontra canadensis) and raccoons (Pricyon lotor) have been spotted on the island. Bird species known to frequent the island include the red winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), and American robin (Turdus migratorius).
Access and Activities
Please contact the Nature Trust office at (506) 457-2398 or steward@ntnb.org for more information about visitation.
*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.