MapleCross – DeRoche Pond Natural Area

Property Description

The MapleCross – DeRoche Pond Natural Area is located 30 kilometers from Charlottetown, on the north shore of Prince Edward Island. This acquisition is significant in both size and diversity. It is 81 hectares, which at the time of acquisition was one of the few vacant, non-protected parcels of this magnitude on PEI. The Natural Area contains 134 meters of coastline, as well as dunes, coastal forest, freshwater marsh, peatland, and riparian forest. This diversity of ecosystems contains ideal habitat for the federally at risk Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis), and piping plover (Charadrius melodus). Provincially rare species identified on the property include northern red oak (Quercus rubra), boreal chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus), and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera).

This acquisition expands on decades of conservation history in the Point DeRoche region. In 1982, Island Nature Trust leased 33 hectares on DeRoche Pond from the Government of PEI, marking its first Natural Area. Since then, Island Nature Trust, the Government of PEI, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada have protected over 645 hectares of land in Point DeRoche.

Point DeRoche is famous for its shoreline known as Blooming Point Beach, which is highly used for walking and swimming. Behind the beach are expansive dune systems with several peaks that tower over the coast. While much of PEI’s coastline has been developed, this region has been historically protected from human impact by wetlands and DeRoche Pond. This is a large freshwater pond that connects to Tracadie Bay and previously connected directly to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Thanks to financial contributions from the MapleCross Foundation, the ECHO Foundation, the Government of Prince Edward Island, and the Government of Canada, this property will be protected forever through the PEI Natural Areas Protection Act.

Content and property pictures courtesy of Island Nature Trust.