A national conservation group has stepped in to save 80 hectares of rare, old-growth Acadian forest northeast of Saint John.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) says the land in Damascus was in danger of being harvested due to its high timber value.
Officials say preserving the property will also protect water quality in the city as it is located within the Loch Lomond Watershed.
“NCC prioritized the site for conservation, as less than five per cent of mature Acadian forest — the original type of forest in the Maritimes — remains intact due to centuries of settlement and harvesting,” said the conservation group in a news release.
Former landowners Marshall and Bernadette Fowler entrusted the property to the NCC for conservation and donated some of the land value.
The property features many centuries-old trees, including sugar maple, yellow birch, red maple, white ash, beech and ironwood, typical of the species found in old Acadian forest.
Biologists have spotted many wildlife species on the property, including moose, white-tailed deer, beaver, ruffed grouse, porcupine, wood frog, mink frog and eastern newt.
“Old-growth forests give other community benefits; they prevent erosion, purify the air, and their deep, interconnected roots help store and filter water,” Paula Noel, New Brunswick Program Director for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, said in the release.
NEWS: @NCC_CNC has saved a key Acadian forest near Saint John. The 80 hectare (199 acre) property is in the Loch Lomond watershed, has trees centuries year old and helps protect the region's drinking water. Thanks to private donors and @environmentca #NB #nature #nbpoli #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/3aD38iP0ME
— NCC_CNC Media (@NCC_CNCMedia) September 8, 2020
