Long Island Conservation Project
Credit: Airscapes
Map of the Long Island project (1.8MB PDF)
A Natural and Cultural Features Study of Long Island in the Kennebecasis River (46.6MB Doc)
Conserving the Natural Habitats of Long Island for Future Generations
The Long Island Conservation Project is a multi-year initiative to secure and manage land on Long Island for future public access, open space and nature conservation. The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, in a joint undertaking with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program Saint John has formed the Long Island Committee, a group of volunteers committed to securing and protecting major portions of this landmark for the future.
 |
| Credit: L. Noble Wohlegemut |
At 2,190 acres, Long Island is the largest island in the St. John/Kennebecasis River system. Its majestic cliffs, known as Minister’s Face, harbour endangered Peregrine falcons and rare ferns. Expanses of unspoiled beaches attract swimmers and kayakers, and a hiking trail runs the length of the Island stitching together remnants of the Loyalist settlements started here in 1785. Vistas of Long Island’s vast spruce forests and scenic landscapes provide year-round enjoyment to the hillside communities of Rothesay, East Riverside, Renforth and the Kingston Peninsula.
The Island’s beauty and bountiful natural resources are, up to now, largely the result of caring landowners and good stewardship, combined with difficulty of access and an abundance of developable waterfront land on the nearby mainland. As this becomes in shorter supply, the pressure for the Island’s shore-lands to be severed and developed is growing.
The Long Island Committee has already secured 364 acres of environmentally significant land on the Island. This land has been both donated and purchased, although a range of conservation options, such as sale and lease-back, and conservation easement donation or sale, are also available to landowners. Participation is entirely voluntary, and owners are encouraged to consider whatever options may appeal to them and meet their personal needs. Some options such as land donation or the granting of a conservation easement carry with them considerable tax benefits.
Thus far, 255 of the 364 acres currently protected on Long Island, are contained at Minister's Face, located on the northeastern shore of the island, named for the Minister's Face cliffs. The preserve is recognized as an Environmentally Significant Area due to its rare arctic flora and impressive views. In 2005, the Nature Trust acquired a new property at Minister's Face, helping to protect areas with Peregrine Falcon breeding sites. Rayworth beach was also recently acquired through a combined purchase and donation made by Ann and Robert Hebb.
 |
| Credit: L. Noble Wohlegemut |
Get Involved Today!
Call or email us for a full colour brochure on the project. Then contact us to make a donation to either the Nature Trust of New Brunswick (506-457-2398, 404 Queen St., P.O. Box 603, Station A, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6) or ACAP Saint John (506-652-2227 76 Germain St. P.O. Box 6878, Stn. A, Saint John E2L 2E7). We accept VISA, cheques or money orders. Please make a note in the memo field that your donation is for the “Long Island Conservation Project”.
You also make an online donation to the Long Island Conservation Project.
If you are adventuresome, call and ask to be included in one of several upcoming field trips out to the Island to visit secured properties (naturetrust@ntnb.org, 506-457-2398).
If you own land on Long Island and would like to speak to us about a donation or sale of land, contact Renata Woodward, Executive Director, Nature Trust of New Brunswick at (506) 457-2398. We also need committee members and would welcome offers of time from skilled and not-so-skilled volunteers who share our vision for Long Island.
Long Island Conservation Project (c/o Nature Trust of New Brunswick office)
404 Queen St.
P.O. Box 603 Station A
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
(506) 457-2398 (ph)
(506) 450-2137 (fax)
email naturetrust@ntnb.ca
www.naturetrust.nb.ca
Long Island Conservation Project (c/o ACAP Saint John office)
76 Germain St.
P.O. Box 6878, Stn. A
Saint John, NB E2L 2E7
(506) 652-2227 (ph)
(506) 633-2184 (fax)
email acapstjohn@rogers.com
www.acapsj.com