Shea Lake Preserve

Most of this preserve is fen and bog beside Shea Lake in Victoria County and is rich in orchid species (over 17 different kinds of orchids). It is also the site of the rare Lapland buttercup, Ranunculus lapponicus, and has a fine hemlock stand. There is an old growth hemlock and cedar forest while the rare diminutive Venus' slipper-orchid, Calypso bulbosa, is found in the ground flora. There are few areas in New Brunswick with such a rich variety of species in a small area.We were fortunate in having individuals in management at Fraser's Inc. who recognized the importance of preserving this special area. Shea Lake Nature Preserve was established in 1988 in cooperation with Fraser Inc. of Edmundston, who leased the land to the Nature Trust. It was the first area to receive protection by the Nature Trust. The original lease was renewed in 1994 expanding the original preserve from 88 hectares to 151 hectares.