The Musquash Estuary one of several projects undertaken by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (submitted by NCC)
A number of trails, beaches and nature reserves in the province will get some much-needed care, thanks to the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s volunteer program.
The volunteer program helps clean up and maintain areas across the country.
Courtney Thompson, NCC’s volunteer program coordinator, says with over 40 parks to take care of, volunteers are crucial.
“Because we have so much property across the province and across Canada, we don’t have the capacity to get out to each of these events and do all the work that needs to be done without the help of our volunteers,” she said.
Some of the trails in New Brunswick experience damage from flooding each year, so Thompson says the clean-ups help with that recovery too.
Thompson says its also a great way to help wildlife, give back to your communities and get outdoors.
“These events are always a lot of fun. They’re great ways to meet new people, really great ways to explore new places. Some people don’t know about our nature reserves, don’t know that they have access to them, so its a great way to explore,” she said.
Th next clean up will be at the Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Grand Manan, on June 22nd.
Thompson says the area is in need of some TLC.
“This is an area that used to be used as a dump, and so we had the area cleaned up, but we just need a little bit of help picking up the remnants. Nothing big, just little pieces of plastic and water bottles that are left over,” she said.
NCC has more than 60 Conservation Volunteers events planned across Canada. There are three more this summer in New Brunswick:
- · Sprucing up the Sanctuary, June 22, Grand Manan Migratory Bird Sanctuary,
- · Lincoln Trailblazer, July 13, Lincoln Wetland Nature Reserve, Fredericton;
- · With the Nature Trust of NB: Great Fundy Coastal Cleanup, Pendleton Island, TBA
Events are a half or full day, and led by NCC’s coordinators and conservation staff. Pre-registration is required.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, you can sign up online, or reach out at 450-6010.
