Author: Simon Andrea

Sark Family Makes Conservation Land Donation

Simon Andrea

An ecologically important property near Lennox Island First Nation has been donated for conservation by Marilyn and Darcy Sark, of Lennox Island.

The 333-acre property includes 4 kilometres of forested coastline with rocky beaches, saltmarsh, and glacial erratics. The coastal forest is uniquely dominated by white ash and white spruce. Jack pine, a provincially-rare tree, is common throughout the property.  This variety of ecosystems supports extensive wildlife habitat, including for federally at-risk species: Canada warbler and Eastern wood-peewee.

Shoreline of the Chief Jack Sark Memorial Natural Area

Island Nature Trust and L’nuey are pleased to have collaborated on facilitating and accepting the donation of this significant property. 

The property will be known as the Chief Jack Sark Memorial Natural Area, in memory of the former Lennox Island First Nation Chief, the late husband of Marilyn Sark, and father of Darcy. “We are proud to be donating this property in Jack’s memory, as he had a great respect for the conservation of nature and the environment. He would be pleased, as it was his wish to eventually donate the property for conservation.” -Marilyn and Darcy Sark

The property will be known as the Chief Jack Sark Memorial Natural Area, in memory of the former Lennox Island First Nation Chief, the late husband of Marilyn Sark, and father of Darcy.

Chief Jack Sark

Melissa Cameron, Executive Director of Island Nature Trust shared this:

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Marilyn and Darcy Sark for their generous donation of this invaluable coastal land in memory of Chief Jack Sark. The size and ecological significance of this land, including its rare coastal white ash forest, will continue to support biodiversity and conservation for generations to come. We are deeply appreciative of the collaboration with the Sark family and L’nuey, whose partnership has been pivotal in making this donation a reality.”

Ecological Gift Program

The donation was made possible through Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada (and the Quebec Taxation Act), it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity.

About 

Island Nature Trust is a membership-based, non-government, Canadian charity dedicated to land conservation in Prince Edward Island since 1979. 

In a race against time, our mission is to preserve and steward forever a network of natural areas and wildlife habitats across PEI and bring together those who care about preserving PEI’s natural legacy for future generations. 

We are a key provider of technical, science-based knowledge on land stewardship and wildlife in PEI for landowners, governments, and partner environmental groups. 

We provide mentorship and employment opportunities to people committed to land stewardship, conservation research and wildlife monitoring who will continue building on the long tradition of Island Nature Trust as the premiere land trust on the Island. 

Visit our website: www.islandnaturetrust.ca 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/islandnaturetrust 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/islandnaturetrust/ 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/island-nature-trust 

Media Contact 
Island Nature Trust 
Simon Andrea – Land Acquisition Manager
902-892-7513 
acquisition@islandnaturetrust.ca 

Portage Bog Natural Area Expansion

Simon Andrea

Island Nature Trust is thrilled to announce the purchase and protection of 240 acres (97 hectares) of ecologically significant bog, salt marsh, and lowland forest that stretches from the Western Road to the Portage River in Prince County. The acquisition of these two properties adds onto the existing 207-acre Portage Bog and Ivan’s Branch Portage Bog Natural Area, now safeguarding a total of 446 acres (180 hectares) of carbon rich peatland forever.

Read more

Farmington Woodlands Natural Area (Klondike Road Branch)

Simon Andrea

This addition to the the Farmington Woodlands Natural Area is a 58.5-acre parcel located in Kings County, Prince Edward Island. The property contains forests dominated by balsam fir, red maple, red pine, white pine, larch and cedar. The eastern portion of the property is bisected by a waterway feeding into the Fortune and Naufrage rivers. The acquisition of this parcel further protects this region of the Island and the Fortune River complex, with the greater Natural Area being 374 acres.

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

This property was split-receipt donation from George Mason and family in March of 2024, where a portion of the land’s value was purchased, and the remainder donated.

George studied Resource and Wildlife Management before shifting to a career as a Professional Accountant. He has remained devoted to conservation on PEI, including on his forested properties in Kings County. George has been INT’s Treasurer on its Board of Directors since 2021, and has also volunteered with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund, and the Trans Canada Trail.

After my son moved to Ontario, I realized he wouldn’t be returning to manage the land. Rather than selling it, I wanted to ensure it remained accessible and protected

George Mason, donor
George Mason and his Australian Shepherd, Molly, beside the Fortune River in the Farmington Woodlands Natural Area

Funding for this acquisition was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Forested Landscape Priority Place under the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming Species at Risk conservation in Canada.

This partial donation of land was made possible thanks to the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. This Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity. LEARN MORE

Landscape Context

This parcel of Farmington Woodlands Natural Area is located east of Farmington, near the pre-existing parcels that comprise the Farmington Woodlands Natural Area complex. The acquisition of this property expands on the connectivity of INT and Provincial protected areas throughout the area, specifically extending the protection of waterways associated with the Fortune and Naufrage Rivers. This new acquisition connects the bisected waterway to the east with a large wetland complex owned by Ducks Unlimited.

The connectivity of protected areas in the Farmington region

Ecological Description

This property has a history of agriculture and forestry, as much of the Island does, but contains desirable tree species including eastern white cedar, sugar maple, red pine, white pine, American beech, and yellow birch. The riparian forest is more mature and contains larger, seed producing trees. Also along the river is a freshwater marsh containing alders, yellow marsh marigold, and other hydrophytic vegetation.

Hardwood forest in the Farmington Woodlands Natural Area

Access

This parcel of Farmington Woodlands Natural Area is accessible by PEI Route 2 to the west and Klondyke Road that runs along the northern and southern boundaries. Klondyke Road is a seasonal, dirt road. This property can be accessed at your own risk. No campfires or overnight camping are allowed on Island Nature Trust Natural Areas.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area

Simon Andrea

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area is a 100-acre mature forest dominated by hardwood and cedar, located in Alaska, Prince County, Prince Edward Island. This natural area boasts a rich variety of ecosystems, including mature hardwood stands, upland cedar forest, and an expansive open marsh displaying evidence of long-term beaver activity. Due to the threat of timber harvest in this region, the donation of this property represents a crucial addition to the protected lands on PEI.

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area was purchased by Island Nature Trust in February 2024 thanks to a generous donation from Marie-Ann Bowden in memory of her husband, Peter, an entomologist and forester.

The acquisition of Owls’ Haven offered me and my daughters, Bryn and Sydney, the opportunity to honour  Pete’s memory by protecting a forest property that he too would have treasured and enjoyed.

Marie-Ann Bowden, donor

Marie-Ann, who has been a member of INT’s Board of Directors since 2020, is a dedicated environmental advocate who taught and researched environmental, property, and water law at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also an active member with the Upton Farm Trust and the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water.

Marie-Ann Bowden and her chihuahua, Gary, at Owls’ Haven.
A barred owl roosting in a red spruce on the property.

Marie-Ann and INT staff visited the property in the spring of 2024 to conduct a biological inventory and were happily surprised to see a barred owl roosting in a red spruce. This gave the property its name, Owls’ Haven.

This property and its natural landscapes will be conserved forever under the PEI Natural Ares Protection Act.

Landscape Context

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area is situated amongst a contiguous forest block south of Coleman, PEI. The property expands on a network of Crown land and protected areas in the region. The Provincial and Ducks Unlimited Portage Wildlife Management Area and Acadian Marshes Natural Area are positioned roughly 4 kilometers east of this property and Island Nature Trust’s Alaska Forest Natural Area and Acadian Marshes – Percival River Salt Marsh Natural Area are situated approximately 2.5 kilometers south.

The Owls’ Haven forest canopy

Ecological Description

While this property has been impacted by timber harvesting in the past, most of the forest was left to mature and naturalize. Canopy species include sugar maple, red maple, red spruce, yellow birch, as well as the provincially rare American beech, white elm, white ash, black ash, and eastern white cedar. The property also hosts a rich forest floor with numerous wildflowers, ferns, and shrubs, including the uncommon showy lady’s slipper, swamp red currant, alder-leaved buckthorn, and cucumber root. The forest structure contains ideal habitat for the federally at-risk Canada warbler, eastern wood pewee, little brown bat, and northern long-eared bat.

Roadside beaver activity has created a large freshwater marsh with open water sections on the property.

Showy lady’s slipper (prior to bloom)
Mature hardwood forest
Cucumber root
Immature black ash

Access

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area is situated off the Terry Boylan Road, which is a dirt road and only accessible at certain times of the year. This property is roadside and can be accessed at your own risk. The Alaska – Derby region is fairly undeveloped, and it is recommended that visitors have two navigation devices on them. No hunting, campfires, or overnight camping are allowed the property.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.

Jenkins Complex Natural Area

Simon Andrea

The Jenkins Complex Natural Area is an 840 acre protected area in Mount Albion, PEI, one of the largest designated natural areas in the province. Throughout the property is a mix of woodland including some plantations, as well as nine wetland complexes and a small agricultural area.

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

Much of the land making up this large natural area was generously donated by Harold and Mary Jenkins, with a life estate held until Island Nature Trust fully acquired the property on June 24th, 1999. The Jenkins Complex Natural Area was protected under the Natural Areas Protection Act on June 25th, 1999.

Island Nature Trust purchased an adjoining parcel of 7 acres on December 20th, 2007. It was added to the larger natural area, and protected under the Natural Areas Protection Act on December 18th, 2009. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) contributed funds towards the latter purchase.

On November 11, 2021, Island Nature Trust purchased an additional 90 acres adding onto the larger natural area complex and connecting it to Whites Road. This parcel was protected under the Natural Areas Protection Act on August 24, 2022.

History of the Jenkins Complex

Robert Jenkins, director and founder of the Mount Albion Fur Company (established in 1903), was a pioneer in the introduction of the American beaver to PEI , starting around 1913. His company acquired numerous properties in the Mount Albion area and excavated the first pond, purpose-built for beavers, using a horse and scoop to divert the creek. The beavers proliferated and created their own additional ponds by flooding and diversion of water.

Spurgeon Jenkins, Harold Jenkins’ father, carried on the work started by the Fur Company with the re-introduction of beavers in the 1940s and later in the 1950s after they had been trapped out. He was successful in creating 6 bypass ponds on the Mount Albion properties as well as re-establishing other wetlands there.

Harold Jenkins, the land donor, helped his father work on the marshes and ponds. After working as a hunting guide and noticing a decline in the number of ducks and geese in the area, Harold decided to create a wildlife reserve (now known as the Jenkins Complex Natural Area). Harold stopped hunting himself in order to focus his time on waterfowl conservation and creating a safe resting and feeding area for nesting and migrating birds. His efforts were put towards creating nesting islands, nest boxes, planting wild rice and he even spent countless hours patrolling for poachers, all in an attempt to help waterfowl.

In 1978, Ducks Unlimited entered into an agreement with Harold to maintain the bypass ponds and Island Nature Trust has continued this partnership, with DUC regularly maintaining the nine ponds that lie within the Jenkins Complex Natural Area.

Ecological Description

Tree species vary as you walk through the various forest stands, but the dominant tree is black spruce and the dominant ground cover is sphagnum moss, indicating a high natural water table. Other tree species you will find include: red maple, striped maple, sugar maple, white birch, yellow birch, gray birch, white pine, American beech, balsam fir, eastern larch, red spruce, white spruce, trembling aspen, large-toothed aspen, and pin cherry. Shrub species present in the natural area include: serviceberry, sweet fern, honeysuckle, sheep laurel, Labrador tea, mountain holly, willow, red-berried elder, beaked hazelnut, ground hemlock, wild raisin, and choke cherry. The Jenkins Complex Natural Area is also home to several uncommon herbaceous plants, including: royal fern, showy lady’s slipper, wild calla, sundew, and white bog orchid.

Aerial view of the Jenkins Complex Natural Area.

In 2018, the Jenkins Complex Natural Area was included in Island Nature Trust’s Forest Bird Program. Point count surveys were conducted at 3 locations and the following species were detected: Canada warbler (a Threatened species), ovenbird, hermit thrush, black-capped chickadee, common yellowthroat, black-throated green warbler, white-throated sparrow, American robin, red-eyed vireo, blue jay, alder flycatcher, yellow warbler, rosebreasted grosbeak, magnolia warbler, black-and-white warbler, blue-headed vireo, dark-eyed junco, yellowrumped warbler, and ruby-crowned kinglet. Several species of water birds were also detected, including: Canada geese, red-winged blackbird, and sora rail. A common loon was heard and a pair may be nesting in the pond complex. Red squirrel, American beaver, coyote, red fox, snowshoe hare, mink, raccoon, northern leopard frog, green frog, and wood frog have also been observed in the Jenkins Complex Natural Area.

Evening grosbeak, photo credit Michael Salter
Northern leopard frog, photo credit Michael Salter

Access

The Jenkins Complex Natural Area can be accessed at several points along the 48 Road (Route 5). From Charlottetown, travel east on the Trans-Canada Highway to Mount Albion, turn onto Route 5 and approximately 4km down the road is an Island Nature Trust sign and padlocked gate marking the western boundary of the Jenkins Complex Natural Area. This gate provides access to the extensive road and trail system that runs throughout the natural area. Approximately 1 km east is another gate and right-of-way beside a mobile home. This gate also provides access to the trail systems. Approximately 0.5 km east from the second gate is a third gate that allows access to the eastern most ponds in the natural area.

Trails can be seen on the interactive map above.

For more information on access to our natural areas or our trails, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.

Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area

Simon Andrea

The Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area is 117 acres located on the Crown Point headland in Alexandra, Queens County, Prince Edward Island. This donation adjoins Island Nature Trust’s existing 182-acre Crown Point – Wjikijek Natural Area. The majority of the property is coastal saltmarsh on Jardines Bay, bounded by mixed dominated forest and a three-acre forested island. The Mi’kmaq name for Crown Point is Wji’kijek, meaning “the place where stumps are found.”

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

The Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area was donated by William and Tara Judson and family in October 2023. William Judson’s parents, Donald and Virginia Judson, purchased the land for their family farm in the late 1960s.

“This land has been part of my family’s life for generations, even before my parents purchased it in the 1960s. The Judson family has lived in the area for over 200 years. Stories have been passed down from generation to generation about the marsh and the families that made use of it.”

William Judson

To learn more about this generous donation, click here.

This donation of land was made possible thanks to the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. This Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity. LEARN MORE

Landscape Context

Crown Point is a relatively undeveloped coastal headland located southeast of Stratford, PEI. The point acts as a coastal barrier protecting the rural communities of Alexandra and Pownal from storm surges, winds, and high spring tides. The salt marsh within the property is a part of a broad band of coastal salt marsh that extends along the Hillsborough Bay from Stratford to Orwell. Converging marshes may lead to the headland becoming an island in the future.

Crown Point has significant cultural history for both the Mi’kmaq and the Acadians. Several independent anecdotal reports point to Mi’kmaq and Acadian burial grounds on the point, as well as Mi’kmaq camps and French battlegrounds. Traditional use for this area includes seal hunting and oyster harvesting. Sand flats just off of Crown Point were known as the Mi’kmaq seal harvesting site Ntoagoagantijg before European settlement.

Crown Point Headlands

Ecological Description

Crown Point hosts a variety of ecosystems, including salt marsh, bog, freshwater marsh, krummholz forest, coastal bluffs, and mature forest. The headland acts as a wildlife shelterbelt, providing species habitat that is not found in the nearby developed areas.


The coastal forest on the Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area consists of mixedwood stands including white spruce (Picea glauca), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), white birch (Betula papyrifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), eastern larch (Larix laricina), and American beech (Fagus grandifolia). The 3-acre island within Jardines Bay hosts a similar forest structure, with older hardwoods and more present pit and mound topography. There are additionally sections of alder swamp along the salt marsh, which provides habitat for the federally at-risk Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis).

Coastal island forest in Jardine’s Bay

The saltmarsh on this property is extensive and makes up three quarters of the natural area. Salt marshes were historically dyked and farmed on Prince Edward Island, leaving few fully intact. Salt marshes store high amounts of “blue carbon” in their soil and act as carbon sinks. During spring and fall migrations, saltmarshes provide critical stopover locations for Canada geese (Branta canadensis), as well as migratory shorebirds including greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), belted-kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), and great blue heron (Ardea herodias). Additionally, when they are downstream from agriculture and lawns, salt marshes filter high concentrations of nitrogen from entering ocean water. This is an important local service for the Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area due to a relatively high amount of development and farmland nearby.

Belted Kingfisher
Lesser Yellowlegs

Access

The Judson Salt Marsh Natural Area has no trails; those visiting can do so only on foot and should have a good comfort level with navigating using a compass or GPS. The property is accessible via Crown Point Rd. The road is dirt and can be rough in the winter and after rainfall. In the past, the road has flooded after the first curve in Crown Point Road, and it may be best for visitors to park prior to this, at the turn, if water levels are high. The road becomes privately owned at the second curve and has been taken over by a freshwater marsh due to beaver activity. No campfires or overnight camping are allowed on Island Nature Trust Natural Areas.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.

Buffalo Road Natural Area

Simon Andrea

The Buffalo Road Natural Area is a riparian forest and reforesting field in Anglo Rustico, Queens County, Prince Edward Island. The property contains several small wetlands and two tributaries of Chapel Creek. Due to the high amount of nearby agriculture and development, this donation is an extremely significant addition to protected lands on PEI.

The Buffalo Creek Natural Area has no access and is closed to the public.

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

The Buffalo Road Natural Area was donated in January 2023 in loving memory of Geoffrey Willem Paynter by his life partner, Janet Marshall, daughter, Rilla Marshall and family of Belfast, PEI, and son, Logan Paynter and family of Sunnyvale, California. Geoffrey was born and grew up in Montreal, Quebec. He, Janet, Rilla and Logan moved from Newfoundland to PEI in 1985. Geoffrey worked at the Atlantic Veterinary College UPEI until he retired in January 2012. In 2011, Geoffrey and Janet bought a house on the Buffalo Road in Rustico, and subsequently purchased some of the farmland abutting their property in 2014.

Geoffrey Paynter at his property on the Buffalo Road (2013).

This donation of land was made possible thanks to the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. This Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity. LEARN MORE

Landscape Context

This Buffalo Road Natural Area is located between the town of Hunter River and the Green Gables Coastal Highway. This region of PEI is predominantly agriculture, housing, and tourism, with the greater watershed area being 73% agriculture and 7% developed. The property was identified by INT as one of the last standing forests along Chapel Creek not set for harvest or clearing.

Ecological Description

During the spring of 2015-16, Geoff and Janet participated in a reforestation program offered by the PEI Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. Over the next two years, a mixed Acadian Forest of over 6000 tree seedlings were planted on the property. During the last several years of his life, Geoffrey became a dedicated tree planter. He delighted in starting trees from seeds, nurturing and planting them throughout the property. Planted trees include white spruce (Picea glauca), eastern larch (Larix laricina), red oak (Quercus rubra), red maple (Acer rubrum), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), red spruce (Picea rubens), white pine (Pinus strobus) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum).

Regenerating field, with six planted trees now six to seven years old.

This forest regeneration is significant because expanded riparian forest cover further moderates river temperature and sediment runoff from nearby farmland and lawns. The reforested portion slopes into a swale that further filters water entering Chapel Creek. The riparian forest and a small riparian alder swamp is habitat for a range of wildlife, including migratory songbirds and the federally-at-risk Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis).

Planted eastern hemlock
Chapel Creek

Access

The Buffalo Creek Natural Area has no access and is closed to the public.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.