Meduxnekeag Watershed

Left to right: NCC Program Manager Paula Noël, MRA President Steve Wilson, Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen and MRA board member Carl Faulkner (Photo by NCC)

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has partnered with the Meduxnekeag River Association. Together, the partners have worked to protect more than 167 hectares (400 acres) of forested land for endangered and rare species along the shores of the Meduxnekeag River. The river is located near Woodstock, New Brunswick. The groups began working together in 2004 to protect a 55-hectare (135-acre) site.

Named Bell Forest, the property is open for guided walks in spring and early summer. It is considered to be the most important Appalachian hardwood forest in Atlantic Canada and contains many different species of rare plants.

Since 2004, the groups have partnered on eight joint land securement projects. Working with private land owners who have agreed to sell their properties, they have expanded the Meduxnekeag Nature Preserve. These eight projects also received support from the Government of Canada's Natural Areas Conservation Program funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Meduxnekeag Nature Preserve at a glance

The lands acquired by NCC and the Meduxnekeag River Association involve riverfront. They also include significant Appalachian hardwood forest — a rare type of forest that was once much more widespread. The properties provide habitat for endangered butternut trees. Several provincially rare plants such as Canada violet and showy orchis are also found here.

The banks of the Meduxnekeag River are one of the most significant forest areas in the Maritimes. Close to 45 percent of the province’s remaining Appalachian hardwood forest sites are found here. The area also contains the highest concentration of rare Appalachian hardwood species in New Brunswick.

The Meduxnekeag River Association has protected more than 303 hectares (750 acres) of land within the watershed. NCC is pleased to collaborate with a committed group of volunteers who have stewarded this corridor since 1998. The group also plays an important role in educating local youth about the importance of nature.

Conservation values

• The properties are located in the Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve.
• NCC has identified this area's riparian/floodplain habitat as an important corridor.
• The watershed features 30 provincially rare plant species, including lopseed, nodding fescue, spikenard, Goldie’s fern and Seneca snakeroot.
• Appalachian hardwood forest is characterized by the presence of four indicator tree species: white ash, basswood, ironwood and butternut.
• Butternut trees, listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, occur on the lands that have been secured.
• 27 species of fish have been identified in the Meduxnekeag system, including brook trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon.