photo by Alyssa Martin The Elgin Eco Association and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick have conserved 160 acres of beautiful Acadian forest in Elgin, New Brunswick. Through an effective partnership, the two organizations, with the help of many supporters, were able to establish a nature preserve before the historic forest was scheduled to be clear-cut. The local Elgin Eco Association will continue to steward this preserve - Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve for years to come.
The 160-acre property features over 3km of trails that span the length of the preserve. With footbridges, a traditional sugar shack, and interpretive signs, the Elgin Eco Association have been proud stewards of the important Acadian forest since the official creation of the organization in 2002. When the property was sold for clear-cutting, the Elgin Eco Association approached the Nature Trust to partner on conserving the land and trail. After months of campaigns and fundraising, the Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve was officially protected in December 2016.
“The Elgin Eco Association would like to thank all the members and individuals that so generously supported our cause. You believed in us.” says Elgin Eco Association President, Moranda Van Geest. “Your trust and your generosity will never be forgotten”.”
The Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve features two brooks, new and old growth forest, ravines and an ecologically sensitive area comprised of giant hemlocks. The preserve is a true Acadian Forest, with a mix of a variety of hard and soft wood trees including eastern cedar, red spruce, yellow birch and red maple, to name a few. The Acadian forest is classified as an endangered forest type in North America, with less than 5 percent of pre-settlement area of intact Acadian forest remaining. The preserve is also home to many plant and bird species characteristic of the Acadian forest, such as the northern flying squirrel. The Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica), a threatened species due to habitat loss, has also been sighted in the preserve.The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is excited about the new partnership with the Elgin Eco Association.
“The Elgin Eco Association have been long time stewards of this beautiful property. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with them and to protect this important forest.” says Executive Director of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, Renata Woodward. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Elgin Eco Association, as they will continue to steward the property for the community to enjoy. We are also interested to speak with any landowner who is willing to work on land conservation surrounding this preserve.”
The Elgin Eco Association and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick will be hosting an opening ceremony for the nature preserve in late August 2017 to celebrate the newly acquired preserve. A huge thank you to those who contributed to the protection of the Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve, including major funders: Mountain Equipment Co-Op, The New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada through their Other Qualified Organizations Program.
“The Elgin Eco Association would like to thank all the members and individuals that so generously supported our cause. You believed in us.” says Elgin Eco Association President, Moranda Van Geest. “Your trust and your generosity will never be forgotten”.”
The Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve features two brooks, new and old growth forest, ravines and an ecologically sensitive area comprised of giant hemlocks. The preserve is a true Acadian Forest, with a mix of a variety of hard and soft wood trees including eastern cedar, red spruce, yellow birch and red maple, to name a few. The Acadian forest is classified as an endangered forest type in North America, with less than 5 percent of pre-settlement area of intact Acadian forest remaining. The preserve is also home to many plant and bird species characteristic of the Acadian forest, such as the northern flying squirrel. The Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica), a threatened species due to habitat loss, has also been sighted in the preserve.The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is excited about the new partnership with the Elgin Eco Association.
“The Elgin Eco Association have been long time stewards of this beautiful property. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with them and to protect this important forest.” says Executive Director of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, Renata Woodward. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Elgin Eco Association, as they will continue to steward the property for the community to enjoy. We are also interested to speak with any landowner who is willing to work on land conservation surrounding this preserve.”
The Elgin Eco Association and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick will be hosting an opening ceremony for the nature preserve in late August 2017 to celebrate the newly acquired preserve. A huge thank you to those who contributed to the protection of the Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve, including major funders: Mountain Equipment Co-Op, The New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada through their Other Qualified Organizations Program.
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