The beautiful riverfront land is located near Waternish, on the main branch of the St. Mary’s River. These protected lands include over a kilometre of river shoreline and both extensive upland forests, and mature Acadian floodplain forest, a rare forest type in Nova Scotia. Floodplain forests, which once lined many Nova Scotian rivers before large-scale clearing for forestry and agriculture, are a critical part of river health. They help to keep rivers cool and clear and healthy.

Protecting these remnant forests is an important part of restoring the St. Mary’s River ecosystem and ensuring it can sustain aquatic wildlife including Atlantic Salmon, and the nationally threatened Wood Turtle. The property also supports important habitat for a diversity of bird species, including several which are on Canada’s species at risk list: Common Nighthawk, Canada Warbler, Barn Swallow, and Eastern Wood-peewee.

We were overjoyed to celebrate yet another conservation success on the St. Mary’s River in 2014, thanks to the perseverance of long-time Nature Trust supporters Hardy and Barbara Eshbaugh, who protected the property at the time through a conservation easement. The floodplain and upland forests at this site have been explored and appreciated by the property’s many human visitors over the years, and will be protected forever through this agreement.

Permission must be sought through the Nature Trust before visiting these Conservation Lands. Visitors are asked to not disturb any wildlife, or remove any plants.