The Nature Trust of New Brunswick | La Fondation pour la protection des sites naturels du Nouveau-Brunswick RefugeConserve. Steward. Educate. Vol. 22, No. 4 | Spring 2014 Celebrating the life of Mary Majka IN THIS ISSUE: P1 Celebrating the life of Mary Majka P1 President's Message P2 Seven Days Work Cliff - officially conserved! P2 Project Updates: LSJR Conservation Planning P3 Project Updates Conservation on Canvas P3 A new look for NTNB P3&4 Stewardship Update P4 On the Rise Invitation Mary Majka and NTNB President Lynn MacKinnon in November 2013. (Photo credit: Jessica Bradford) NTNB is celebrating the life of Mary Majka, site for a variety of seabirds and birds of prey, a dedicated naturalist and pioneer of New which was protected as a nature preserve in President's Message Brunswick’s environmental movement, who 2010. She was also a major part of a stewardship As you read this article, I hope these passed away on February 12, 2014 at the age of coalition for the preserve called the ‘Friends of longer days will have you thinking 90 years old. Since arriving in the province in the Grindstone Island.’ Mary was also a long-time abut spring! Coinciding with 1960s, Mary was involved with many conservation, steward of Cape Enrage Nature Preserve, along spring is the Nature Trust’s second education, heritage, and environmental advocacy with David Christie (member of her extended annual On The Rise fundraising initiatives and projects, including the founding family and fellow naturalist). event on March 22 (see page 4 for of NTNB and the establishment of several of the invitation). The evening’s theme organization’s nature preserves. In 2012, she was awarded the inaugural will be to recognize how much we Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in value stewardship at the Nature “Mary understood the importance of bringing Land Conservation in celebration of NTNB’s 25- Trust. Without the volunteer efforts people together and forming partnerships to year anniversary of our many stewards, we would not accomplish great things,” says Lynn MacKinnon, be able to meet our responsibilities NTNB President. “She led many activities in “There wasn’t much of NTNB untouched by Mary,” to the great degree we do. Because of their dedication, we are inviting defence of sensitive places and species that could says Renata Woodward, NTNB Executive Director. all stewards to come to On The not defend themselves.” “Her opinion and ideas were greatly valued by Rise so that we can show our us and we would seek her advice on such things appreciation. In 1988, Mary was a part of the conservation of as strategic planning. She helped us again just NTNB’s first preserve— Shea Lake Nature Preserve recently by connecting us with contacts to Sadly, New Brunswick lost one near Plaster Rock. After being informed about discuss conservation on the Tobique River. She of its great nature stewards in the biological richness of the site by an amateur will be greatly missed and will forever hold a February, with the passing of Mary botanist, she helped convince landowners to special place in the heart of our organization.” Majka. We are fortunate to have protect the area. Following discussions, a five- had her leadership and friendship year lease, with the option for renewal, was signed Mary’s legacy will continue to live on through the for so many years. I’m sure that between the landowners and NTNB for an area of mission and value of NTNB, as well as through the you agree that the conservation 88 hectares. This area continues to be conserved passion and work of the organization’s volunteers, community will not be the same today and is home to over 17 different species of members, board, and staff. without her. orchid. I encourage you to come out to On Mary was also instrumental in lobbying for the The Rise, bring your friends and establishment of Hyla Park Nature Preserve in be prepared to have an enjoyable Fredericton to protect an isolated population evening! It will feature music, an of the grey tree frog. This area was designated auction and other activities to Canada’s first amphibian sanctuary and sees recognize stewardship in action. The funds raised will help the many visitors in the spring and summer months Nature Trust continue our work in for guided amphibian tours or ‘Frog Walks.’ stewardship and conservation in New Brunswick. More recently, she helped to conserve Grindstone Island in the Upper Bay of Fundy, a known nesting - Lynn MacKinnon, NTNB President Shorebirds on the Bay of Fundy. (Photo credit: David Christie) The Nature Trust of New Brunswick, Inc. | La Fondation pour la protection des sites naturels du Nouveau-Brunswick, Inc. is a 1 charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of natural areas of special scientific, educational, or aesthetic value. Refuge - Spring 2014 Seven Days Work Cliff Nature Preserve - officially conserved! legally and financially feasible. American Friends now owns the donated property and NTNB will manage it as part of their network of nature preserves. “Seven Days Work Cliff is a perfect demonstration of why Canadian land trusts created American Friends," says Sandra Tassel, Program Coordinator for the Seattle- based organization. "Americans own priority conservation lands in many of Canada’s most scenic and ecologically sensitive places. We find that these landowners truly cherish their properties and are willing to give the land for preservation purposes if tax and legal obstacles can be overcome. The partnership between the Nature Trust and American Friends to protect Seven Days Work Cliff is a great example of what can be achieved through cross-border donations. We hope Seven Days Work Cliff from Eel Brook Beach this will be the first of many New Brunswick projects.” In December 2013, a landmark conservation Located on the northeastern section of the gift permanently protected a significantisland between Whale Cove and Ashburton The features of the property inspired all of coastal property known as Seven Days Work Head, Seven Days Work Cliff consists of a the parties involved in the pioneering project. Cliff on the beautiful island of Grand Manan highly visible and spectacular 80 metre sea The cliffs are a geological wonder, containing in the Bay of Fundy. NTNB and a US charity cliff, as well as wetland and other natural layers of rock formed during the enormous called American Friends of Canadian Land vegetation. It is also an ideal place to see the volcanic event that filled the Bay of Fundy Trusts (American Friends) formed a unique birds of prey that nest and hunt along the cliff. with basaltic lava 201 million years ago. partnership that made this “cross-border” The beloved cliff-top “Red Trail”, managed by Today, the boulder-strewn beach below the donation of land in the province possible. the Grand Manan Trails Association and used cliffs attracts rock hounds who come to collect Cross-border conservation conserves by residents and visitors, also traverses the fine specimens of volcanic zeolites, quartz, ecologically important Canadian land that is land. jasper, agate and other minerals that fall from owned by preservation-minded Americans. At the cliff as it slowly erodes. 23.8 hectares, Seven Days Work Cliff is best “Grand Manan is a beautiful and known for its spectacular sea cliffs that are environmentally fragile New Brunswick Seven Days Work Cliff is the 37th nature home to birds of prey and a popular trail that gem. Protecting its special landscapes is a preserve managed by NTNB in the province overlooks the Bay. high priority for NTNB, but land there is very and the third on Grand Manan. expensive, especially if it has an ocean view,” “Much of the island’s coastline is privately says Woodward. “We are thrilled that the Many generous contributions have been owned and is being rapidly developed,” says Americans who owned Seven Days Work Cliff made to the project, including the land donors Renata Woodward, Executive Director of NTNB. wanted to conserve their property and were (who wish to remain anonymous), American “The conservation of Seven Days Work Cliff willing to donate it.” Friends of Canadian Land Trusts, Davis means another natural area has been put aside Conservation Foundation, Grand Manan Trails for nature, as well as for residents of Grand NTNB formed the innovative partnership with Association, The William P Wharton Trust, Manan and visitors to enjoy for years to come.” American Friends to make this generous gift EcoAction, and anonymous donors. Project Updates the week and shared information about land Lower St. John River Conservation Planning conservation strategies and Species at Risk stewardship. In a follow up to the tour, the NTNB has been working with a number of NTNB will be sending information to folks partners on developing a Habitat Conservation living in some of the areas identified as Strategy for the Lower St. John River region. being high priority for conservation action. This project aims to increase conservation A series of Species at Risk factsheets have action by building partnerships with been developed for landowners about rare communities and supporting voluntary land and endangered species, but we also want to stewardship among private landowners. In tap into local knowledge about what makes late January, we held a successful community the Lower St. John River region such a unique tour, where we met with people from across place. the region to discuss land management and conservation. Aaron Dowding, Conservation Planning Manager, is eager to meet with New With the help of habitat and species experts Brunswickers who are interested in sharing from the NB Department of Natural Resources information and exploring land stewardship and Department of Environment, along with options.