New nature preserve on Ross Island is among N.B.'s largest

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is planning a big celebration on Saturday to mark the official opening of the Keiko and Errol Nature Preserve on Ross Island, off Grand Manan.

Covering 372.9 hectares, or roughly 697 football fields, the preserve is one of the largest in the province. It is located within traditional Wabanaki territory and holds significance to many First Nations including the Peskotomuhkati people.

WATCH | Nature Trust CEO describes 'largest-ever' fundraising campaign:

How does land become protected in New Brunswick?

5 months ago

Duration 1:34

Hundreds of donors came together to help a piece of land the size of 697 football fields gain protected status. The Keiko and Errol Nature Preserve on Ross Island, off Grand Manan, opens July 6.

It consists of wetlands and coastal forest, and is home to salt marshes and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.

"It now is publicly accessible, it protects rare plants and animals, even provides some hiking for New Brunswick cars and visitors, and it's just an all around now great protected space," said Stephanie Merrill, CEO Nature Trust of New Brunswick.

The preserve is a result of the biggest fundraising campaign in the organization's history, totalling $1.3 million. The nature trust received financial support from the provincial and federal governments, as well as donations from people across the province and some outside Canada. Private philanthropic foundations like the Maple Cross Fund, Echo Foundation and the Gosling Foundation also made contributions.

"It was a major team effort to make this happen," said Merrill. "It's very rewarding to have that kind of response from people who might not see it in their backyard everyday, but they know it's there. They know it's important."

The preserve is named after the original owners of the property, whom the nature trust bought the land from with the money it raised.

Ross Island is a boat ride from Grand Manan during high tide, or a walk when it's low tide. 

The nature trust is monitoring the tides and are planning to walk to Ross Island and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony as part of the opening celebrations.

"This was an opportunity to kind of take a breath, step back and celebrate the acquisition of this island and its protection and thank all the people that helped make it happen." said Merrill. "After, we can get energized for getting back to work on Monday to move on to the next opportunity."