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July 29, 2013 (Blacks Harbour, NB) On July 25, 2013, the Nature Trust of New Brunswick led its annual Charlotte Isles clean-up at one of the most significant and beautiful islands in the Bay of Fundy—South Wolf Island Nature Preserve. It is the southernmost island in the Wolves Archipelago, roughly 12 km by boat from Black’s Harbour. This was the first shoreline clean-up done on the island since it was donated to the Nature Trust last year by Connor Bros. Clover Leaf Seafoods Company in the name of coastal and marine sustainability.

“South Wolf Island Nature Preserve is recognized as an Environmentally Significant Area for birds,” says Dorothy Diamond, ornithologist and Trustee Emeritus of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick. “As an important breeding and feeding ground, one of biggest threats to the bird populations on the island is the accumulation of garbage and debris, as it can often be mistaken for food or accidentally ingested, causing poisoning and digestive blockages.”

Because of the abundance of birds that use the island as a nesting site and feeding ground, this island was chosen as the location of the Nature Trust's annual Charlotte Isles clean-upand was supported through a partnership between the Nature Trust, Connor Bros. Clover Leaf Seafoods Company and the Huntsman Marine Science Centre.

“We see the impact of marine garbage every day on every level from individual organisms to whole ecosystems, “says Pat Fitzgerald, operations manager, Huntsman Marine Science Centre. “We're glad to participate in this exercise, as it cleans up a small portion of an ecologically significant archipelago, raises awareness of the amount of marine debris , and educates people on the impact garbage has on the marine ecosystem.”

The cleanup had originally been scheduled for Friday, July 19, but due to poor weather conditions it had to be postponed.

"Even with such short notice of the date change, the clean-up still brought out over 30 volunteers from around the province, all very eager to help improve the ecological health of the island in whatever way they could," says Lynn Mackinnon, Nature Trust of New Brunswick President. "It also allowed for different organizations, such as the Saint John Naturalist Club, the Saint John Outdoor Enthusiasts, the New Brunswick Museum, and more, to all come together for a common cause."

With the donation of the island and other coastal preserves to the Nature Trust, and with their assistance removing large debris from South Wolf, Connor Bros. Clover Leaf Seafoods Company sets a positive example in corporate social responsibility. During the clean-up, three of the South Wolf Island’s beaches were cleaned of garbage and debris.

About the Nature Trust of New Brunswick

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to preserving New Brunswick’s outstanding ecological landscapes for people and nature. The Nature Trust currently protects 36 nature preserves in the province. For more information about the organization, visit naturetrust.nb.ca.



Media contact:

Jessica Bradford, Communications Coordinator

Nature Trust of New Brunswick

(506) 457-2398 | [email protected]

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