Overview
The MapleCross Demerchant Brook Nature Preserve spans 91 hectares (224 acres) of ecologically significant Appalachian Hardwood Forest (AHF) in the Aroostook Hills of central New Brunswick. Situated on the traditional territory of the Wabanaki people, this preserve safeguards one of the most diverse and threatened forest types in the province. Appalachian Hardwood Forests are known for their exceptional biodiversity, supporting a variety of rare plant species and providing critical habitats for wildlife.
History
Acquired in July 2023, this property represents a strategic expansion of conserved lands in Victoria County, extending the nearby Demerchant Brook Protected Natural Area (PNA). The preserve’s land has a history of forestry and agriculture, with remnants of past land use evident in its trails and regenerating forests. Today, the Nature Trust’s stewardship efforts focus on restoring and protecting its unique ecological features.
Ecology
The preserve features a mix of hardwood-dominated forest and small patches of red spruce-hemlock stands, interspersed with streams, seepages, and vernal pools.
Its nutrient-rich soils support rare Appalachian Hardwood Forest plant species such as northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) and Goldie’s woodfern (Dryopteris goldieana), as well as the endangered butternut tree (Juglans cinerea).
Another feature supporting this preserve’s abundant biodiversity is the north-south orientation of the long ridges and valleys that make up the Appalachian’s forested mountains. These spans provide essential corridors and natural highways for species such as moose (Alces alces), black bear (Ursus americanus), and bobcat (Lynx rufus) to migrate from either direction during alternating seasons and cycles of warming and cooling, settling in the microclimates that best suits them.
Facing the dual crises of climate change and nature loss, preserving these passageways and protecting more of the abundant and diverse habitat sheltered by spaces such as the MapleCross Demerchant Nature Preserve is more important than ever before, and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick proudly acknowledges the support and contributions of the MapleCross Fund to make this preserve possible.
Access and Activities
This preserve is accessible via Highway 2 near Bairdsville. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the area responsibly to protect its delicate understory and ecological integrity. Please contact the Nature Trust office at (506) 457-2398 or steward@ntnb.org for more information about visitation.
*While this nature preserve is open for public access, there can be a variety of hazards and risks associated with using this preserve and visitors should use the land at their own risk and must assume responsibility for their own actions.