Pristine property will be preserved
Environment: Province turns over 27 hectares of land in Millidgeville to nature trust
A 27-hectare tract of land in Millidgeville that is home to the endangered anticosti aster has been designated an official nature preserve.
Cindy Wilson/Telegraph-Journal
Ken Hirthe, left, past president Nature Trust of New Brunswick, and John Irving, who donated $75,000 to manage the Boars Head Nature Preserve, look over a map of the 27-hectare area.
The parcel of land is located behind École Samuel de Champlain and extends to the St. John River.
Saint John East Liberal MLA Roly MacIntyre and Saint John Portland Conservative MLA Trevor Holder have both been working for several years to ensure that the Nature Trust of New Brunswick would assume responsibility for the land.
The property includes a stretch of undeveloped shoreline along the St. John River that features rocky cliffs and a small, sandy beach.
In addition to the anticosti aster, maidenhair spleenwort and four mosses are located on the property.
Because the nature trust requires a trust fund be set up to manage the land, MacIntyre approached Millidgeville resident John Irving, president of Commercial Properties Limited, for financial help and was given $75,000.
"Within hours, he said 'yes,' " MacIntyre said. His donation will finance the stewardship of the preserve, ensuring long-term management and protection of the property.
The nature trust will be responsible for the conservation and management of the land and will be working to establish partnerships with local schools, clubs and citizens.
During the announcement at Lily's Café in the Hatheway Pavilion at Lily Lake, Irving spoke of the advantages of having Rockwood Park in the centre of the city and how the new Boars Head Nature Preserve will be explored and enjoyed by families and school children.
"We are very fortunate to have a terrific system of parks and trails here in Saint John. Many people take advantage of these facilities because they are so accessible," Irving said.
"As a Millidgeville resident, I'm honoured to have the opportunity to play a part in the creation and protection of one such nature preserve in Millidgeville."
Residents of the Ragged Point and Boars Head area in Millidgeville have been advocating for protection of the parcel of land for several years. Its designation brings the number of trust-held nature preserves in Greater Saint John, to six.
Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty said the provincial government is pleased to make the land available to be enjoyed by all New Brunswickers.
"Our partnership with the nature trust will ensure that this site's unique ecology is protected and treasured well into the future," he said.
Renata Woodward, the nature trust's conservation program director, said the provincial government decided to step in to preserve the land because Millidgeville is under great pressure to be developed.
The trust is also looking at making Blueberry Hill, located on the boundary of Saint John and Grand Bay-Westfield, a nature preserve.
"We're hoping to take ownership of that property in the next few months," she said.