Nature Conservancy of Canada protects 606 acres on Crabbes River

The Nature Conservancy of Canada made a major land conservation announcement earlier this week, involving a project with rich natural and human history in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

We are pleased to be protecting the watershed, and in turn help protect the health of the salmon and trout. An early river run, Crabbes River is home to some great salmon pools, populated by large in size, return spawners.- Nature Conservancy of Canada's Lanna Campbell

The land conservation organization has officially conserved a 606-acre site on Crabbes River, near the town of St. Fintan's in southwestern Newfoundland. 

The land was donated by the descendents of railway builder Sir William C. Van Horne, who acquired the property in 1900. The land was held within the Van Horne family until recently.

In a release issued Thursday, Nature Conservancy of Canada Program Manager Lanna Campbell thanked the Van Horne family, as well as other project partners and donors.

​“We are pleased to be protecting the watershed, and in turn help protect the health of the salmon and trout. An early river run, Crabbes River is home to some great salmon pools, populated by large in size, return spawners," Campbell said.​

Campbell said the river also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the threatened Newfoundland marten — one of the rarest animals in the world.  

The Nature Conservancy of Canada also identified the property as a priority to protect vast old growth forest, which includes white and yellow birch trees, and white pine habitat for a variety of rare plants along the Crabbes River shoreline, including the long-styled rush, and the clasping-leaf dogbane.

The Crabbes River site will continue to be accessible for recreational purposes such as hiking, hunting and salmon fishing.  

The abandoned Newfoundland railway bed, now the Newfoundland T’Railway recreational trail, runs along the western property boundary.

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