Overview

Located on the unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik near Long Settlement, Carleton County, the Paragon Woods Nature Preserve is a beautiful 79-hectare (195-acre) preserve that safeguards key climate-resilient Appalachian hardwood forest, red maple swamp, and eastern white cedar swamp habitats in perpetuity.

History

This property was previously managed by Monty Snowden, and Monty’s deep love, appreciation and respect for the land is evident in how well he took care of it—the end result being a forest well balanced between conservation values and sustainable harvesting. The Nature Trust established Paragon Woods Nature Preserve in 2025, during our most successful year of conservation to date. Paragon means ‘a model of excellent,’ a name that perfectly suits this land, being reasonably accessible to the public, and containing two of the target habitats we strive to protect: forested wetlands (specifically cedar swamp wetland) and climate-resilient Appalachian hardwood forest.  

Ecology

The Paragon Woods Nature Preserve protects a variety of ecologically rich and climate-resilient ecosystems, including cedar and red maple-dominated forested wetlands and one of the few remaining significant stands of Appalachian hardwood forest in the province. These land features provide essential habitat for many rare species, including white-rimmed shingle lichen (Fuscopannaria leucosticta), black ash (Fraxinus nigra), American lopseed (Phryma leptostachya), and Goldie’s woodfern (Dryopteris goldiana).  

The towering canopy of American beech (Fagus grandifolia), white ash (Fraxinus americana), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) dominate the landscape, transforming the property into a vibrant spectacle of color each fall. Together, the preserve’s large hardwoods, serene streams, and forested wetlands also create a vital refuge for a diverse array of wildlife like moose, deer, and forest birds.  

Access and Activities

To access our Paragon Woods Nature Preserve, visitors can drive along Cronkite Road and park on the road near the edge of the preserve boundary. Cronkite Road is a rough dirt road, so please exercise caution. 

Please also note that this preserve neighbours agricultural fields, and while there is an access road into the preserve, visitors must be careful to stay on the road and not drive, park on, or damage agricultural crops. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to this preserve, please contact the Nature Trust at info@ntnb.org.

Please contact the Nature Trust office at (506) 457-2398 or engage@ntnb.org for information about volunteering and fieldwork opportunities.  

*The property is undeveloped and there are a variety of hazards and risks associated with accessing this preserve. Any visitor must assume responsibility for their own actions and safety and are to use the land at their own risk.