Fundy Park: New Brunswick's Coastal Gem

Fundy National Park is located on the southeast coast of New Brunswick, Canada, near the village of Alma. Covering an area of 207 square kilometres (80 square miles), it is considered a mid-sized national park. The park is known for its tidal shifts, rugged coastline, dense forests, and waterfalls. Visitors can explore the ocean floor at low tide and kayak at high tide, with the water levels rising up to 12 metres or more. Fundy National Park offers camping, hiking, and biking opportunities, with over 100 kilometres of trails and five campgrounds.

Fundy National Park's location and history

Fundy National Park: Location and History

Fundy National Park is located on the southeast coast of New Brunswick, along the 250-kilometre-long Bay of Fundy. The park is easily accessible by car from Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton. It is also possible to fly to the nearby airports of Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, and rent a car to get to the park.

The park covers an area of 207 square kilometres (80 square miles) along Goose Bay, the northwestern branch of the Bay of Fundy. The park was established in 1948 and officially opened in 1950. It showcases a rugged coastline that rises up to the Canadian Highlands, the highest tides in the world, and more than 25 waterfalls.

The area that is now Fundy National Park was once inhabited by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet peoples, although this was likely temporary due to the lack of remains indicating permanent settlement. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the surrounding area was settled by Acadians, including the establishment of Chipoudy (now Shepody) in 1710. However, the Acadians were driven out by the British in the Expulsion of the Acadians. In 1825, the region was permanently settled by immigrants from Scotland, Ireland, and England.

The coastal villages were prosperous, with the most notable settlement being Point Wolfe, which flourished from fishing, sawmills, and small shipyards. The logging industry, however, led to a depletion of wood resources by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, causing an exodus of residents. The proposal for a national park in the province came from a petition organised by the New Brunswick Fish and Game Association in 1927, with the aim to protect endangered animals in the region. The park was officially created on April 10, 1948, and from 1948 to 1950, over $2.2 million was invested in its development.

Today, Fundy National Park offers a variety of amenities, including a golf course, a heated saltwater swimming pool, five campgrounds, and a network of over 100 kilometres of hiking and biking trails. The park is known for its dramatic tides, which cover the ocean bed with up to 38 feet of water twice daily. It is also home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including the world's oldest red spruce tree, which is 400 years old.

Outdoor activities in the park

Outdoor Activities in Fundy National Park

Fundy National Park, New Brunswick's first national park, offers a plethora of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. The park is located on the Bay of Fundy, renowned for having the world's highest tides, and provides easy access through the charming town of Alma. Whether you're visiting during the summer or winter, there's no shortage of adventures to be had in this picturesque park.

Hiking

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park, with over 100 kilometres of trails to explore. These trails range from easy strolls to strenuous treks, so there's something for every skill level. The Coastal Trail, spanning 13.8 kilometres, offers stunning views of the coastline. For a more relaxed hike, try the Caribou Plain Boardwalk, a mere half-kilometre walk. If you're feeling adventurous, tackle the 48-kilometre Fundy Circuit, which links seven trails and takes three to five days to complete.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Exploring the park by kayak or canoe is an excellent way to experience the beauty of the Bay of Fundy and its impressive tides. Kayaking tours are available through Fresh Air Adventure, based in Alma. Alternatively, you can rent canoes and kayaks on Bennett Lake and explore at your own pace.

Camping

Camping is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the park's natural surroundings. There are four front-country campgrounds and eight backcountry options scattered throughout the park. For those seeking a more unique experience, there are also yurts and rustic cabins available. Just remember to bring your own sleeping gear, cooking equipment, and water if you choose the cabin option.

Wildlife Spotting

Fundy National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, and animal lovers will delight in the opportunity to spot various species. Keep your eyes peeled for the Peregrine falcon, ruffed grouse, salamander, moose, and eastern coyote. The park also attracts a variety of bird species, including warblers, boreal chickadees, gulls, terns, and sandpipers.

Swimming

During the warmer months, take a dip in the heated saltwater pool or head to one of the beaches for a refreshing swim. Bennett Lake and Wolfe Lake offer sandy beaches and freshwater swimming.

Winter Activities

Fundy National Park transforms into a winter wonderland, offering a host of snow-related activities. Bundle up and try your hand at snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat-biking, ice-skating, or tobogganing. The park's rustic accommodations provide the perfect base for a winter getaway, allowing you to fall asleep under the magnificent night sky.

Flora and fauna of the park

Fundy National Park is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. The park covers an area of 207 square kilometres along Goose Bay, the northwestern branch of the Bay of Fundy. The park showcases a rugged coastline, the highest tides in the world, and more than 25 waterfalls.

The Fundy forest is a mixed-wood forest composed of red spruce, balsam fir, yellow birch, white birch, sugar maple, and red maple. The forest floor is blanketed with moss, wood fern, and bunchberry. Pure hardwood stands, which account for 5.4% of the Fundy forest cover, include yellow birch and white birch, as well as some sugar maple, red maple, and beech trees. Carolina springbeauty and trout-lily bloom in the hardwood forest every year.

The coniferous forest in the park represents the boreal element of Fundy's forest cover, with some of the last pure stands of red spruce found in eastern North America. The bogs in the park are home to black spruce and Eastern larch, as well as carnivorous plant species such as pitcher plants, sundew, and bladderwort.

The park is also known for its rare plant species, including bird's-eye primrose, which can be found along the Point Wolfe and Goose River coastal cliffs. Other rare flora species, such as slender spikemoss, squashberry, green spleenwort, rare sedges, and fir clubmoss, can be found along the eastern branch of the Point Wolfe River and the lower part of Bennett Brook.

In terms of fauna, the park is home to 38 species of mammals, with the most commonly found being eastern moose, white-tailed deer, eastern coyotes, chipmunks, red squirrels, and snowshoe hares. Nocturnal mammals in the park include various mice and shrews, raccoons, black bears, North American beavers, and northern flying squirrels. Bats have also been spotted in the park, with an increase in sightings in 2020 leading to the installation of ultrasonic bat monitors.

The area is also a haven for bird-watchers, with over 260 species of birds discovered in the region and approximately 95 of those nesting in the park. Common species in the park include warblers, pileated woodpeckers, juncos, white-winged crossbills, great blue herons, cormorants, semipalmated sandpipers, and semipalmated plovers. The peregrine falcon, which had been extirpated from the area by 1948, has since been successfully reintroduced.

Reptiles and amphibians are also present in the park, with identified species including four types of non-poisonous snakes: green snakes, red-bellied snakes, ring-necked snakes, and eastern garter snakes. Amphibians in the park include various frogs, toads, and salamanders. Frog species found in the area include American toads, leopard frogs, pickerel frogs, green frogs, and bullfrogs. Salamander species include yellow-spotted salamanders, red-backed salamanders, northern two-lined salamanders, and eastern newts, as well as rarer species such as the four-toed salamander, blue-spotted salamander, and northern dusky salamander.

Amenities and accommodation in the park

Fundy National Park is located in New Brunswick, Canada, along the Bay of Fundy, which is known for having the highest tides in the world. The park offers a range of amenities and accommodation options to cater to different preferences and provide a memorable experience for visitors.

For those who enjoy camping, the park has five front-country campgrounds, each offering a unique experience. The campgrounds provide easy access to amenities such as washrooms, showers, and electrical, sewer, and water hookups. Additionally, there are eight backcountry campsites located at Goose River, Marven Lake, Tracey Lake, and Chambers Lake for those seeking a more remote experience. The park also offers roofed accommodations, including yurts and oTENTiks, for a hassle-free camping experience with added privacy.

If you prefer more comfortable accommodation, there are chalets and efficiency studios available just minutes from the Bay of Fundy. These accommodations offer convenience, reasonable prices, and the serenity of being surrounded by nature while still being central to all park activities.

The park also has a large trail system with over 30 trails showcasing the breathtaking coastal views and the Acadian forest. Visitors can explore the bay by kayaking, walking the ocean floor at low tide, or hiking the various trails that lead to waterfalls within the forest. The park offers guided tours, programs, workshops, and learning experiences to enhance your visit.

Whether you're looking for a camping adventure or a more comfortable stay, Fundy National Park in New Brunswick has a range of amenities and accommodation options to suit your needs and ensure a memorable visit.

Fundy National Park's scientific projects

Fundy National Park, located in New Brunswick on Canada's Atlantic Coast, is home to a variety of scientific projects focusing on monitoring and conserving the park's diverse ecosystems. Here are some details on a few of these projects:

Conservation and Restoration:

Fundy National Park has been actively working to restore and conserve the natural environments within the park. This includes efforts to restore damage caused by logging and dams, as well as re-connecting waterways. The park has a rich diversity of ecosystems, including the marine coastal environment of the Bay of Fundy and the Caledonia Highlands plateau, part of the Appalachian Mountain range.

Monitoring Endangered Species:

The park regularly monitors several species, including the endangered Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon. Other species under observation are martens, fishers, brook trout, eel, and moose. These monitoring programs help track the health and population dynamics of these species within the park.

Student Research Projects:

Mount Allison University student researchers have conducted various scientific projects within the park. These projects include testing lakes for microplastics, measuring tree growth, and investigating the mysterious loss of sugar maple saplings. The students worked in teams, formulating their own research questions and conducting fieldwork. Their findings provided valuable insights and raised awareness about emerging issues, such as the die-off of sugar maple saplings.

Connecting Waterways:

One of the key scientific projects in the park has been focused on re-establishing aquatic connectivity. This includes projects like the Bennett Lake Dam, new culverts, and the Dickson Brook restoration. By reconnecting waterways, the park aims to improve habitat connectivity and promote the healthy movement of aquatic species.

Studying Intertidal Wildlife:

With its dramatic tides, the park offers a unique opportunity to study intertidal wildlife. Twice daily, the ocean bed is covered by up to 12 metres (or 38 feet) of water, and then slowly revealed, exposing a rich ecosystem of seaweed and intertidal creatures. This dynamic environment attracts scientists and researchers interested in studying the adaptations and behaviours of organisms in this ever-changing habitat.

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