Festival of Nature: Birding at French Fort Cove, Miramichi

French Fort Cove

A two to three kilometer trail walk around the cove which features mixed woods and wetlands. The trail is hilly but good underfoot. This is an excellent birding area for many species of woodland birds but also some ducks and other bird species. This walk is open to all and will include experienced birders to act as guides. Binoculars are recommended but not required. May be cancelled due to heavy rain.
Kids welcome!

Festival of Nature: Birding the Kennebecasis Park Lagoons and the Bishop’s Lands Trails

The Kennebecasis Park Lagoons typically hold a good variety of ducks along with flycatchers, swallows, warblers and sparrows. The Bishop’s Lands Trails host numerous warbler species, finches, sparrows, flycatchers, thrushes and more. Time and energy permitting, we may move on to the Bicentennial (Carpenter Pond) Trail – a short but very productive birding trail. The event may be cancelled if there is steady rain.  Light showers will not be a problem.  A decision will be taken as the group assembles on the morning of the outing.
Kids welcome!

Festival of Nature: Exploration of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Property Baie Verte NB

As a group, we will add to the natural history knowledge of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s reserve.
Kids welcome!

Festival of Nature: Hyla Park Nature Walk - FULL

Hyla Park is Canada’s first amphibian park and a Nature Trust of NB site. Although the emphasis on the walk will be birds, we are likely to see frogs, flowering plants and butterflies. Please bring your binoculars and field guides. Parking can be found behind the Greenwood Drive Baptist Church at 150 Greenwood Drive. Participants should meet in the parking lot across the Gibson Trail. Waterproof footwear and insect repellant are suggested.
Kids welcome!

Festival of Nature: Spring Flowers and Other Nature Observations - FULL

Champlain St/Ohio Rd

This portion of the Shediac municipal trail crosses different environments and offers a beautiful botanical diversity. On this date, it is possible to see in bloom several shrubs such as: caliculated cassandra, Canada honeysuckle, malodorous gadellier, long-billed hazelnut, alder-leaved viburnum and herbaceous plants of the undergrowth such as: red cohosh, boreal clintone, northern lady’s-slipper, boreal trientale, etc. Other plants that can be identified include the Christmas fern, the witch hazel shrub. The role of the rain gardens along the trail can also be discussed. 2km walk. After the walk, interested individuals can drive 2 km to see a nesting raft of Common Terns in Shediac Bay and observe nesting behaviour from the walking trail.
Kids welcome!

Festival of Nature: Antinouri Lake

Exploring the birds, flora and fauna at Antinouri Lake and at a few sites along the way to the lake. Also a short walk to the former granite quarry on the northeastern shore of the lake – source of the beautiful pink granite that was used to build such buildings as the parish hall and St Polycarpe Church in Petit Rocher.

Festival of Nature: A Visit to the Dolan Woodlands Nature Preserve

Dolan Woodlands Nature Preserve

This will be an exploration of the flora and fauna of the recently established Nature Trust NB preserve in Nelson, Miramichi. The trails that will be followed are approximately 2 km in length and flat but can be wet and muddy in places. The area is largely mixed forest but does feature a black spruce bog and a fresh water brook/marsh. Late spring should offer interesting sightings of birds and butterflies as well as wildflowers. Rubber boots recommended!
Kids welcome!

FishNB Day (Hampton)

Lighthouse River Centre

Stop by the Lighthouse River Centre for a fun day of fishing! June 5th is Provincial license free fishing day so make sure to have some fun outside!

Festival of Nature: Nature Hike – Black Beach - FULL

Black Beach Trail

ACAP Saint John would like to take a group of hikers around the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Black Beach trail (2.3km). This hike will include talks about seals, birds and other ACAP related projects and will end with a beach cleanup on Black Beach at low tide. Harbour seals are often seen hauled out at low tide on the rocks, where we will bring scopes for participants to get a better view and talk about ACAP’s harbour seal monitoring project.
Best suited for kids 12 and up.

Festival of Nature: Voyageur Canoe on the Wolastoq & Nashwaak - FULL

Paddle down the Wolastoq and Nashwaak River via Voyageur Canoe with Second Nature Outdoors. Their experienced guides will point out the amazing gems the river has to offer. There will also be an opportunity to observe birds and plants on the short walk back along the trail to the launch point. This event will be cancelled in case of a thunderstorm.
Kids 8+ welcome!

Festival of Nature: Geology Tour of Quinn’s Point

Walk the beach at Quinn’s Point with an expert geologist who will explain how the rocks and fossils tell a story of the past. Access to the beach is moderately difficult so wear good footwear. Low tide dictated the evening event.