Nature Trust aims to preserve record number of N.B. locations this year

New Brunswickers can look forward to more opportunities to enjoy nature this year.

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, which finds land across the province, either by donation or purchase, to turn into nature preserves, is planning its most ambitious campaign to date.

Normally they add three or four a year, but this year they're aiming for 15 to 20.

"We were able to secure a good amount of funding to purchase these lands, and now what we need to do is rally to get the money that we need to ensure that we can care for them forever, which is part of our mandate," Jon MacNeil, the trust's communications manager, said in an interview with CBC Radio's Shift.

MacNeil said the higher goal this year comes from more people interested in donating land.

The trust has a team that works to find strong ecological habitats around the province and look into conservation possibilities, he said.

"So we worked hard and we kind of secured these funds, and now we're working hard to secure the remaining little bit we need to make as many of these nature preserves come to fruition."

The threat of climate change and industry have also spurred some people to want to help protect more land in the province, MacNeil said.

"I know a lot of New Brunswicker are concerned about the rate that we clear-cut and the amount that we spray."

The properties the trust will be adding this year are all over the province, and they range in size from five to 115 hectares. MacNeil said one that stands out is going to be called the Ancient Hardwoods of Marsh Creek, in Carleton County.

Describing the property as breathtaking, he said it includes eastern hemlock that are estimated to be 300 to 500 years old. 

"I had the chance to go up there a couple of months ago and it took three of us, you know, full-grown adults, arms reaching around at our fingertips, just barely touching to encircle this tree," MacNeil said.

"It's something that you don't really get a chance to see in New Brunswick very often."

MacNeil said there are also several wetlands properties along the Bay of Fundy being added this year, which are "recognized as a really critical habitat to protect because they support so much different life from amphibians to birds to mammals."