Caring for the forest
Not every place in the forest should be managed the same way.
Some places need different care, to protect rare plants, give wildlife safe ground to raise their young, or to ensure a piece of history remains part of the landscape.
That's why we have safeguarded thousands of unique and special sites in our Conservation Areas Program. It’s the largest voluntary conservation program by a private landowner in Canada.
This isn’t required by regulation. It's how we’ve chosen to take care of the land. Thoughtfully. For the long term.
Conservation Sites
2,453
Unique sites in our Conservation Areas Program.
Our voluntary, award-winning program protects unique and special sites across the lands we care for – with more being added every year.
Established in 1996
Protecting rare and unique areas
The Program reflects the diversity of the forest. Protected sites fall into several categories, each representing a different value on the landscape.
2,453 individual conservation sites are currently protected
3 main types of sites: Wildlife, Ecosystems and Landmarks.
Woodlands staff are trained to identify important bio-diversity features.
Each site in the program is catalogued, geo-fenced, and fully excluded from harvesting and forest operations.
Wildlife Conservation Sites
Wildlife
Creatures of all sizes - massive moose to tiny dragonflies
Safeguarding areas with diverse habitats to support a wide variety of species:
- Birds & Mammals – including waterfowl breeding areas and moose calving sites
- Fish – such as rare smelt streams and salmon pools
- Reptiles & Invertebrates – including turtle nesting areas and dragonfly hatch sites
Explore some of our 979 Wildlife Conservation Sites
A Nesting Refuge in the Canopy: Great Blue Heron Colony (New Brunswick)
High above nearby wetlands, more than 30 Great Blue Heron nests rest in the crowns of tall trees. These birds return to the same site year after year, layering nests that can grow half a meter deep over time. Protecting this small patch of forest ensures an entire breeding colony can continue to thrive.
A Home for a Rare Fish: Lake Utopia Dwarf Smelt Spawning Streams (New Brunswick)
Found nowhere else in the world, Lake Utopia’s dwarf smelt depend on three cold, quiet streams to reproduce. These unobtrusive waterways are critical to the survival of the species. By protecting the streams and surrounding forest, we help ensure this rare population endures.
Where Moose Return Each Year: McCormack Lake Moose Area (Nova Scotia)
Moose are uncommon across mainland Nova Scotia, making this site especially important. Each year, moose return to McCormack Lake to feed, calve, and move between wetlands and forest cover. At first glance, the landscape appears ordinary—but to moose, it offers exactly what they need.
Cold Water in a Warming Climate: Castaway Salmon Pool (New Brunswick)
Fed by two cold‑water tributaries, this deep pool stays cooler than surrounding waters even in summer heat. It provides refuge for brook trout and Atlantic salmon during periods of thermal stress. Protecting the pool and its surrounding forest helps maintain conditions fish need to survive.
A Wetland Bird Haven: Blackwater River Common Gallinule Site (Maine)
Designated after biologists identified it as a breeding area for the threatened Common Gallinule, this wetland site offers critical nesting and feeding habitat. Gallinules rely on quiet, undisturbed marshes—placing added importance on protecting wetlands like this one.
The Perfect Spot for Turtles: Miramichi Region Wood Turtle Habitat (New Brunswick)
The threatened Wood Turtle depends on clean, fast‑moving rivers and nearby uplands for feeding and nesting. At this site, wider protection around the river allows turtles to move freely between water and forest, improving their chances of survival. (Note: The specific site location is withheld to prevent any potential harm to the wood turtle population from poachers)
Ecosystem Conservation Sites
Ecosystems
The rare and unique – where northern and southern ecosystems meet.
Safeguarding areas with rare, sensitive, or ecologically important forest systems:
- High Conservation Forests – including old‑growth forest stands
- Unique Forest Stands – unusually rare or exceptionally large trees
- Lakes and Wetlands – rare aquatic ecosystems and breeding grounds
- Plants – including species found in very few locations globally
Explore some of our
1,220 Ecosystem Conservation Sites
A Forest Shaped by Floodwaters: Portobello Creek Floodplain Forest (New Brunswick)
Part of one of the province’s most significant wetland systems, this floodplain forest supports waterfowl, songbirds, and rare plants. Seasonal flooding brings nutrients that sustain the ecosystem—and protecting the forest helps maintain water quality downstream.
A Northern Wetland Rarity: Orchard Bog Patterned Fen (Maine)
This rare patterned fen—one of the most southerly examples in the region—is a mosaic of peat ridges, pools, shrubs, and stunted spruce. Its delicate structure depends on steady water flow, making long‑term protection essential.
An Old Forest Remnant: Dead Brook Old Forest (New Brunswick)
Towering white pines, some estimated at over 300 years old, rise above a dense understory of red spruce. This rare remnant shows what time can create when forests are left largely undisturbed—and why such places deserve permanent care.
A Lake That Stays Cold: Ayers Lake Conservation Area (New Brunswick)
Recognized for its deep, cool waters and self-sustaining lake trout population, Ayers Lake protects a full system—from shoreline forest to aquatic habitat. Trails now allow people to experience old hemlock stands, rare plants, and striking views without compromising the ecosystem.
A River Valley Ecosystem: St. Francis River Floodplain (Maine)
This protected floodplain supports a rare forest community recognized as imperiled in Maine. By keeping the forest intact along the river, the site helps moderate flows, improve resilience to flooding, and protect biodiversity as climate patterns shift.
A Wetland Formed by Glaciers: Moosehorn Lake Wetland Complex (New Brunswick)
Formed by retreating glaciers, Moosehorn Lake is surrounded by wetlands that support waterfowl and moose calving. Though modest in size, the site plays an outsized role in regional biodiversity.
Landmark Conservation Sites
Landmarks
Now isn’t that amazing!
- stories written into the land itself.
Preserving landscapes and features with cultural, historical, or natural significance:
- Aesthetic Sites – epic waterfalls, deep ravines, and scenic vistas
- Historic Sites – remains of settlements and culturally significant Indigenous sites
- Geological & Fossil Sites – rare rock formations and fossilized plants
Explore some of our 254 Landmark Conservation Sites
The Province’s Highest Waterfall: Fall Brook Falls (New Brunswick)
Dropping more than 30 meters into a steep gorge, Fall Brook Falls is the highest continuously running waterfall in the province. The sound reaches visitors before the water comes into view, creating a powerful sense of place worth protecting.
A Natural Amphitheatre: Parlee Brook Amphitheatre (New Brunswick)
A U‑shaped gorge plunges more than 150 meters, forming a natural amphitheater where even whispers can echo. Rare plants cling to shaded cliff faces, and ice climbers test themselves here in winter.
Water Carved Stone: Otter Brook Canyon (New Brunswick )
Rushing water carved this narrow canyon through brittle bedrock, revealing layers of geology shaped by fire and ice. After a major fire in the 1980s, the site regenerated in ways that made its geological story even clearer.
A Fossil Shoreline: Square Lake Marine Fossil Site (Maine)
Here, fossils tell the story of a time when northern Maine lay beneath an ancient ocean. Coral, crinoids, and shell fragments are preserved in stone—connecting today’s forest to a world hundreds of millions of years old.
A Mountain with a Vie: Bald Mountain Peak (New Brunswick)
A short climb leads to sweeping views over forests and river valleys. Local knowledge brought this site to attention, and its protection ensures the landscape remains open, rugged, and accessible.
Ice, Water, and Time: Coulombs Road Waterfall & Canyon (New Brunswick)
Flagged by a forester for its beauty and geology, this rugged stream corridor includes waterfalls and a narrow canyon carved by flowing water. It’s a reminder that care often begins with a trained eye on the ground.
“Quietly preserving the unique places that matter, so the forest remains healthy for generations to come.”