The Grande-Digue Nature Reserve
Inaugurated in October 2023, the Grande-Digue Nature Reserve belongs to The Nature Trust of New-Brunswick and is managed by Sentier Pluriel and Ski Beaver. This reserve is the very first in the Beausoleil region, covering an area of 368.9 acres (149.3 hectares)!
Planting Initiative
To celebrate 25 years of environmental action in the region, we decided to plant over 100 native Acadian forest plants at the entrance to the Grande-Digue Nature Reserve. To mark this occasion, we invited Grade 7 and 8 students from Grande-Digue School to participate in the activity. On June 5, 2024, more than 90 participants, including the GDDPC, the Shediac Bay Watershed Association, teachers, students, and volunteers, helped plant and arrange flower beds at the reserve's entrance.
Informative Signage
Following the planting, the GDDPC took the initiative to install an informational sign listing the names and locations of all the species planted in the flower beds. Many of these species can also be found along the reserve’s trails. With a bit of observation, anyone interested in discovering the region’s biodiversity can admire these species in their natural habitat.
For more information, please check out the final report 2024 (in French).
Natural Inventory
With its vast area, this nature reserve is an ideal location for conducting a natural inventory. This is precisely what the club Les ami(e)s de la nature du sud-est du N.-B. inc. does throughout the year.
If you, too, wish to identify the many species present in this territory, you can use the iNaturalist app. Simply create a free account and submit your observations. A project by the Cocagne Sustainable Development Group (GDDPC) exists on the app to encourage and compile observations of birds, plants, mammals, and other forms of life in the Cocagne River watershed (Pays de Cocagne). If your observations fall within the project’s geographic boundaries (the "Pays de Cocagne" – see map below), they will automatically be included. Just submit them once on iNaturalist.
Accessibility
This wonderful nature reserve is accessible to everyone and features several trails. Some are gravel-paved to accommodate wheelchair users, while others are more natural, offering simple cleared paths.
Come and enjoy nature in this brand-new regional reserve!
Acknowledgments
A big thank you to everyone who supported our activities and projects, including the The Nature Trust of New-Brunswick, Sentier Pluriel, Grande-Digue School, Ski Beaver, the Rural Community of Beausoleil, the Shediac Bay Watershed Association, and the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund.
