An are of coastline and wetlands on Grand Manan Island is the newest conservation site for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Thanks to donations from two families, 319 acres, adjacent to the Anchorage Provincial Park, have been designated as protected.
The NCC’s Program Director for New Brunswick, Paula Noel says its all part of a federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary, which is a designation that protects the birds, but didn’t limit development on private land within the sanctuary, “These lands could have been subject to development, cottages, homes, or other buildings being put on them, which of course would have taken away habitat for the birds, or lead to more disturbance of the birds potentially. So, for us, it was really important that it was being protected.”
A 15 acre property was donated by Arlene Small (Ingalls), in memory of her parents, Hartford and Bessie Ingalls. Noel says Small grew up on the island and the property is located on Ingalls Head Road, a region that has been in her family for many years.
A 304 acre property was partially donated through the Ecological Gifts Program by Earl Brewer and Sandy Kitchen, in memory of Wayne B. Kitchen. Earl and Sandy are from Fredericton, but have visited the island many times and have fond memories of Grand Manan.
Noel says as with all of the NCC’s sites, it will remain open for nature lovers, hikers, and beach go-ers, without the fear of development.
(Photo credit: Nick Hawkins)
